Work-life balance? Still figuring that one out! 😅 But here’s what’s helped me: 🔹 Prioritization over perfection – I focus on high-impact work and delegate where possible. Not everything needs my hands on it. 🔹 Boundaries as a strategy – I schedule personal time like a meeting. If it’s on my calendar, it’s non-negotiable. 🔹 Saying no to protect my yes – Every “yes” to something misaligned is a “no” to what really matters. 🔹 Joy as fuel – I build in moments of recharge (travel, good food, time with loved ones). A well-rested leader is a better leader. It’s not perfect, but I’m committed to leading with intention, not exhaustion. 🚀

For me, work-life balance starts with setting boundaries and prioritizing what truly matters. I schedule non-negotiable time for family, self-care, and personal growth—just like I would for meetings or lesson planning. Delegating and trusting my team helps lighten the load, and I’ve learned to say no to things that don’t align with my goals. Most importantly, I remind myself that I can’t pour from an empty cup. Taking breaks, staying active, and unplugging when needed make me a better leader and educator.

1.Prioritize What Matters: Focus on the tasks that are most urgent or impactful, don’t get bogged down by everything at once. 2.Delegate: Trust your team and share the load—they’re there to help, relax. 3.Set Clear Boundaries: Be firm about your work hours and personal time so you don’t blur the lines and burn out. 4.Plan Your Time: Use a calendar to stay organized, ensuring you make space for both work and personal life. 5.Take Care of Yourself: Carve out moments for things you enjoy or that help you recharge—whether it’s a walk or quiet time. 6.Learn to Say No: Don’t be afraid to turn down extra tasks if it means protecting your balance. 7.Stay Flexible: Life gets busy—be open to adjustments but don’t let work take over completely.

I find having written tasks in my diary as effective as calendar meetings organised on outlook. Having said that, once a routine is established you will find this comes naturally. One piece of advice is to ensure you completely separate technology (devices) from your own down time otherwise this unhealthy routine will become an unhealthy addiction.

This can be tricky- sometimes you aren’t physically working but ideas and “work” takes up mental space even on your off time. I think it is to discern which season you are in. Different seasons require and sometimes demand different types of attention and time.

First recognize that creating set times to step away from the work will help both you and your team feel less like everything requires juggling as you will be able to create more deliberate plans. Second, take time to listen to those you are leading and delegate things to those who are passionate about specific things. Finally, encourage your teams to meet without you and report needs and make requests freely

From my perspective, finding balance in multiple leadership roles starts with setting firm boundaries. Defining work hours and personal time prevents burnout. Prioritizing high-impact tasks while delegating others keeps responsibilities manageable. Making self-care non-negotiable ensures sustained energy and focus. True leadership thrives when well-being is valued just as much as productivity.

Achieving work-life balance in educational leadership requires setting boundaries, prioritizing tasks, and practicing self-care. Establish Clear Boundaries Define work hours, limit after-hours communication, and create a dedicated personal time routine to prevent burnout. Prioritize and Delegate Focus on high-impact responsibilities, delegate tasks to capable team members, and use time-management strategies to stay efficient. Make Self-Care a Priority Schedule regular breaks, engage in hobbies, and maintain a healthy routine to recharge and sustain long-term productivity.

Sustainable leadership isn’t about working harder—it’s about structuring systems that enable balance. I focus on three key principles: 📌 Clarity of Purpose – Prioritising strategic impact over day-to-day tasks. 📌 Capacity Building – Developing leadership at all levels so the system isn’t reliant on one person. 📌 Sustainable Routines – Protecting time for deep work and ensuring wellbeing is a necessity, not an afterthought. Education leadership is a marathon, not a sprint. We must model sustainable working practices without compromising excellence. How do you create sustainability in your leadership approach?

I ready a great book called One Thing that focused on accomplishing ONE thing per day. It is a great book. - Be disciplined with your homelife. Ex. No email checking or responding on Fridays. - Be clear with your staff and set boundaries. Do not infringe on their time and ask that they do the same. - Share your office & available hours with your staff and parents. - To Do list work but include work and home to do list. I do not exceed 4 things per day. I've done presentations and leadership coaching focused on Winning at Work but Losing at Home. It is possible to be a successful school leader, spouse, and parent!