If you are a burnt-out, depleted leader, your team will feel it—whether you say a word or not. Your staff watches how you treat your own time, energy, and boundaries. When they see you skipping breaks and working nonstop, they don’t see dedication—they see a standard they can’t sustain.

By now, you’ve earned their trust. Your staff knows you’re the hardest working person in the building—on-time, on-point, and fully present. You’ve set the tone for what commitment looks like. But hustle without restoration becomes a liability, not a virtue. Today is about leading by example. Rest isn’t something you earn after the work is done—it’s the fuel that allows the work to be done well.

The Lesson: The Leadership Battery

Think of yourself like a battery. You can only run at full capacity for so long before you drain completely. When your battery is low, you become reactive, short-tempered, and stuck in survival mode. When it’s charged, you lead with clarity, patience, and perspective.

Rest isn’t stepping away from leadership—it’s a part of it. When you intentionally recharge, you:

Regulate your nervous system and access your thinking brain
Prove the center can function without you hovering
Model sustainability so your staff doesn’t burn out and quit

A rested leader builds a healthier, longer-lasting culture.

Science says... Quiet, uninterrupted time activates the brain’s default mode network, which supports emotional regulation, creativity, and problem-solving. Giving your brain space helps you return sharper and more grounded.

The Strategy: The Off-Grid Lunch

Today, you will take a full 30-minute lunch break away from your desk and classrooms.
Already have a solid lunch routine? Try an option from The Reset Expansion below, or experiment with another personal recovery ritual.

The Rule:
No emails. No work calls. No “quick questions.”

The Communication:
Tell your lead teachers:

“I’m taking my lunch from 1:00–1:30. [Name] is the point person for emergencies. I’ll be back and ready to support at 1:30.”

Struggling to get away for 30 minutes?
That’s a signal to strengthen your systems. Think:

Auditing the Firefighting (Day 2)
Training (Day 18 + Day 21)
Delegation (Day 19)

The Reset Expansion:
This 30-minute break is your starting point—not the finish line. Begin thinking of other ways you can build intentional recovery into your week:

A “No Meeting Monday” hour for quiet planning
A 10-minute daily walk around the block
Leaving on time once a week—on purpose
Taking a mental health day when needed

The Practice: Personas and Rest

Firefighter-Resist the urge to stay alert. Your brain will tell you something is about to go wrong. Notice the thought, breathe, and stay seated. Fires don’t start because you sat down.

Peacekeeper-Release the guilt. You are not letting anyone down—you are giving your team space to lead without you hovering.

Perfectionist-Drop the mental checklist. Don’t plan, replay conversations, or problem-solve. Let your brain fully unplug so it can reset.

Exercise: Build a Reset Ritual

In addition to your 30-minute break, try simple daily or weekly resets:

Step outside for 5 minutes to walk or stretch
Close your eyes for 2 minutes and focus on your breath
Take a quiet “thinking break” with no phone, no laptop
Play music or journal for 10 minutes in your office with the door closed

Each small reset recharges your leadership battery and models what healthy leadership looks like.

The Director’s Journal Prompt

“Today, I took a 30-minute rest. The hardest part was [Thought/Feeling]. By stepping away, I realized that my team [Handled/Didn’t Handle] things well. I am learning that my presence is more valuable when I am rested than when I am simply ‘present.’”

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