Honoring the Sabbath as a school leader

Honoring the Sabbath as a school leader is perhaps the most difficult and most meaningful work a school leader can commit to both pre and post crisis. I will preface this post by saying that this work - the work of rest - is going to seem like the one thing that can take a back seat during a crisis event. When you are first starting out in a principalship, you will not want to honor a cycle of work and rest. You will feel that busyness is a badge indicative of strong leadership. You will feel the need to stroke your ego when you are the first to arrive in the morning and the last to close up shop at night. In fact, you will probably judge (and unconsciously begrudge) those who aren't grinding tirelessly alongside you. This is pre-burnout you, and unfortunately, it will probably take more than one burnout to get you to realize that this task is one of the most important things you can do not only for yourself, but for your constituents. 

One of the most frequent questions I am asked about work-rest cycles is how? As a Principal, as a Realtor, as an aspiring author, wife, sister, daughter and friend, how do you find the time to rest? Although there is no magic formula, I will tell you what I know for sure. Take that which serves you. Toss aside that which does not. Formulate a plan of action and then revise when it doesn't work (and I promise, it will not work the first, second or maybe even third time around.) This is the hardest work you will commit to as a leader; however, repeat after me. ​This is the work. 

How to honor a cycle of work and rest

Honoring a cycle of work and rest is not for the faint of heart. If you are a Christian, this may look like honoring the Sabbath. As leaders, however, it is important that we consider a work-rest cycle in both our daily and weekly lives.

1. Plan for a cycle of work and rest. Given the complexity of a leader's schedule, this may not look the same every day. However, I do know one thing for sure. What gets scheduled, gets done. Thus, you must place a time on your schedule each day for intentional rest. I prefer to articulate an evening shutdown routine which allows me to intentionally prepare for a good night's rest in order to best meet the needs of the day ahead. You must also plan for a cycle of rest one day out of the week. Which day will you plan for something intentionally fun, restful and life-giving? It's okay if you can't honor the same day every week. Plan ahead for what will work for you given your obligations for the week. I purposefully plan my daily and weekly cycles of rest on Sunday evenings as I prepare for the week ahead. 
2. Articulate your work-rest plan to others. Unavailable after 8 PM at night unless it's an emergency? Are Sundays restricted only for family and friends? It's okay to let others know when you are available and accessible to them. You cannot be a good steward of your time if everyone else in your world has equal access to it. Learn how to say no when someone invites you to participate in something not in alignment with your own goals or what you personally need that day, week or even month. The more you become comfortable with the creation of flexible boundaries, the greater capacity you will have to give during the days and times when you are "on."
   
3. Commit. Commit to a social media detox in the evenings and/or one day each week. Commit to time in solitude to hear the discerning voice of God. Commit to a date night with your husband. Commit to a day out with your friends. Commit to that one time each week when you call your mother, or love on your kids. Your commitment should be easier to honor if it has been scheduled and carefully articulated to the rest of the world. Others are watching you as an example. Show them how to set themselves up for success.
   

Linger a Little Longer:
1. Do you currently cultivate a cycle of work and rest? Explain.
2. What do you find more difficult, a daily or weekly cycle of work and rest?
3. What is the benefit of a cycle of work and rest? Why do you believe it's so hard to commit to for most?