5 New School Year's Resolutions for Leaders in 2025

I love a new year!

As a self-confessed goal-junkie, future focused, optimistic and quite competitive person I love the feeling of a new year to get myself focused.

For those of you who are based in America or Europe, the school year has started, however, that doesn't mean you can't set some goals and make some resolutions. I think, if anything, those of you in the afore mentioned countries are at an advantage. Why you ask? Because you have already had a taste of the school year and therefore have some insight as to what you might need in the months ahead. It's never too late to set a goal, make a plan or declare a resolution. 

The following 5 resolutions are ones I have made at different times in my ears as a school leader. These ‘resolutions’ might just be the life hack you need to be more sustainable, adaptable and healthy in your role.

1)I resolve to have one 'early' afternoon each week during the term. 

This is a good one to start with. Even when I was a full-time teacher it took me a long time to learn this one. It is tempting to pull long hours every day and then become frustrated. The idea of one 'early' afternoon each week is a chance to hold yourself to account, look after yourself and keep a bit of balance.

To add to the idea of one early each week, I would like to add, don't make it a Friday. Why? If you get to leave early on a Friday, that is a bonus! I made the mistake of making Friday my early there for a while and sure enough, I found Fridays to actually be quite busy. It was difficult to head out early on a Friday. I have also been at schools where you go for a drink after work on a Friday. This is great fun but it doesn't count as leaving early because technically you are still doing something work related. My 'early' afternoon sees me leaving by 4pm at the latest and usually involves all those life-admin jobs I don't have a chance to do otherwise - from groceries to dry cleaning to beautician appointments to catching up with a friend for a walk. I really love and appreciate the early afternoon once a week to do these things. 

2) I resolve to drink more water than coffee.

okay, so this one is mine for 2025. Towards the end of last term my coffee consumption was getting a bit out of control. Rather than having a glass of water to wake me up and hydrate my brain, I would have a coffee, even if I didn't really feel like a coffee. This year I am determined to get back to my 3 cup maximum per day. Water is so ridiculously good for you and helps stop you from having headaches and digestion issues. For those of you whose bladder is held hostage by school bells, don't be scared of water... enjoy it the way you would a coffee. You don't need to glug down your water out of a flask like you are on a desert island. Relax, get yourself a cute glass like you would a coffee cup and actually enjoy a glass of water.  You might even get a bit fancy and keep some cordial or fizzy vitamins at work to make your water a bit nicer. 

3) I resolve to not take things personally

People won't like every decision you make. There will be people who have different personalities to you. Believe it or not, there will be people who just don't really like you. That's okay, don't take it personally. Just as you don't like every decision other people make, there will be people who feel the same way about you.

Consider these people with the same respect you would want them to afford you. Take a moment to think about how you feel when you don't like a decision someone makes.  I encourage you rather than venting about it to the closest person available, learn more about the decision and take a moment to reflect on why you don't like it. Is it because you wanted things a different way or you aren't interested in changing or you feel that it is unnecessary? Guess what? People might feel that way when you make a decision that impacts them.

Help people understand your reasoning for your decision  without taking it personally. If people disagree or are upset by your decision, that's their journey and it might take them a while to process it.

In the words of Mel Robbins ‘Let them’.

4) I resolve to not graze at leftovers every time I walk through the staff room.

This was a hard one for me to learn when I first became a school leader. Morning teas for birthdays or that box of chocolates left for everyone on the staffroom table seemed to become my lunch of choice most days. Each time I would walk through the staffroom on my way to a meeting, a classroom, to get a coffee etc would see me having another chocolate, another piece of cake, a handful of lollies. Before I knew where I was, I had put on around 10kg! I was feeling tired, unfit, heavy and uncomfortable.

About three years ago I decided to put an end to this by making the decision that I wouldn't graze at all at work. It had become a habit and like all habits, it was hard to break but once I had mastery over it, the weight came off, I had my energy back and I lost interest in the lollies, cakes and chocolates that were on the staffroom table. 

5) I resolve to be the leader that I am

Whilst it is fine to be inspired by others, perhaps even model some of your leadership behaviours on those who have come before you, remember that you are you. This is another one that took me a long time to get a handle on and one that I still struggle with today. I think it's part of imposter syndrome that many people suffer from.

I remember when I first became an assistant principal thinking 'If only I could be a leader like Jane'. Jane (not her real name) looked like she had it all together, was able to balance her workload and seemed stress free and organised. Over the years, I got to know Jane and whilst it looked like she had it all figured out, she was just as flawed, freaked out and flaky as the rest of us. I remember her saying to me once 'If only I could be a leader like... ' and it was in that moment I recognised we are all just human beings trying to do the best we can.

I have been in a school leadership role now for more than 25 years and am quite comfortable with being the leader that I am. I cut myself some slack when I make a mistake, I learn from my errors and I focus on how to improve. The work is never done and the growth never stops. I constantly see leaders I admire and whilst there are still moments where I think 'If only I could be a leader like...' I also remember that I am the leader that I am. I now take a moment to analyse what I admire in the leader I have just had the thought about and look at where I can apply that to my own leadership.

A case just recently was when I saw a leader speaking in front of a group of 100 school leaders. They were so articulate, so professional and so humble. I listened intently and had a moment of 'If only I could be a leader like that...' I then took stock and recognised that what I admired was the way they were able to communicate with conviction and sincerity. I kept that in mind for the next time I had to address the school community. I took my time, considered what I wanted to say and presented my piece in a way that would have been similar to that leader. The words were mine, the message was mine but the moment was one created from the wisdom I had obtained from watching another leader. We can definitely learn from others but remember there is only one you.

So there we have it folks, 5 resolutions for 2025. I am wondering if any of these resonated with you? Let's not do our usual thing of being focused until mid February then dropping off the resolutions completely. Try to hold yourself accountable because any one of these will benefit you and your longevity in this wonderful role of being a school leader. 

Happy New Year!