In this episode of The Principal’s Handbook, Barb shares six tips to help principals make the most of their holiday break: disconnecting from school, resting and decompressing, focusing on self-care, connecting with loved ones, reflecting on burnout and stress, and creating a vision for the new year. The episode encourages principals to use the break to recharge, reflect, and plan for the year ahead, ensuring they return to school feeling rejuvenated and ready to lead.
How to Make the Most of Your Holiday Break
Presented by IXL
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Welcome to The Principal’s Handbook
Your go-to resource for principals seeking to revamp their leadership approach and prioritize self-care.
I’m Barb Flowers, a certified life coach with eight years of experience as an elementary principal. Tune in each week as we explore strategies to boost mental resilience, manage time effectively, and nurture overall wellness.
Today, as the holidays approach, it’s time to think about taking a much-needed break. Holiday breaks offer a chance to reconnect with family and decompress, but it’s also easy to let the time slip by without getting any personal time for rest or accomplishing what you set out to do. Over the years, I’ve learned how to make the most of my time off, and today I’ll share six tips to help you do the same.
Tip 1: Disconnect from School
Take email off your phone and set an out-of-office auto-reply. Let your colleagues and staff know that you’re disconnecting and not checking emails during the break. Lead by example, and encourage your staff to do the same. The goal is to be completely present during your break, so you can return to work feeling rested and rejuvenated in January.
Tip 2: Rest and Decompress
What helps you relax? Whether it’s watching your favorite shows, reading, or even engaging in a new hobby you’ve been wanting to try, make sure you dedicate time to unplug without distractions. It’s okay not to be productive. Give yourself permission to simply rest, knowing that it’s essential for recharging.
Tip 3: Focus on Self-Care
Use this time to establish or reinforce healthy habits. Whether it’s exercise, yoga, or mindfulness practices like meditation, prioritize activities that promote physical and mental well-being. A break is the perfect time to get into a new self-care routine or improve upon the one you already have.
Tip 4: Connect with Family and Friends
The holidays are a great time to reconnect. Organize virtual or in-person gatherings with loved ones, especially those you haven’t seen in a while. Be intentional with your time to foster meaningful relationships and build lasting memories with those who matter most to you.
Tip 5: Use the Break for Reflection
If you’re feeling burnt out or stressed, take some time to reflect on the causes behind those feelings. Journaling can be a great tool for this, as well as seeking support from a mentor or coach. Reflection allows you to address any underlying issues and plan for positive changes in the new year.
Tip 6: Create a Vision for the New Year
The holiday break is an excellent time to think about what you want your personal and professional life to look like in the coming year. Reflect on the areas of your life that matter most—relationships, work, health, and more—and create actionable goals. Write them down, plan strategically, and share your vision with someone who can help hold you accountable.
Summary of the Tips:
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Disconnect from school completely.
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Rest and decompress without feeling pressured to be productive.
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Focus on your self-care through exercise and mindfulness practices.
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Connect with family and friends intentionally.
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Take time to reflect on what’s working and what’s not.
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Create a vision for the new year, with goals and actionable plans.
Closing Thoughts:
Remember, it’s crucial to be intentional about your break. Balance rest with reflection and rejuvenation to make the most of your time off. By the time you return to school, you’ll be ready to take on the new year with energy and clarity.
If you’re looking for coaching to help you reflect and plan your goals, I’d love to support you. Having a coach can be life-changing. Reach out if you’re interested in working together.
Thanks for tuning in! If you found this episode helpful, please leave a review so others can find the podcast too. Stay tuned for next week’s episode.
