Most leaders start their week in reaction mode, bracing for the moment something goes wrong. But a leader who is always reacting is a leader who is burning out. Today is about establishing the habit of Proactive Planning. You don’t need to do everything—you need to do the right things. You can’t pour from an empty cup, and you can’t lead a team if you’re drowning in your own to-do list.

The Lesson: The Power of the "Big 3"

Your to-do list is probably overflowing with parent emails, compliance checks, classroom coverage, supply runs, and more. If everything feels urgent, then nothing gets your full attention.

The Weekly Reset is your mental alignment tool. By identifying your “Big 3” priorities—the tasks that will either move your center forward or reduce your personal stress—you give your brain a filter. When the fires inevitably start, you’ll know exactly where to return once the smoke clears.

Note: You can do the Weekly Reset anytime, but weekends often work best. If you’re midweek right now, start today. Then build the habit of resetting each Sunday.

The Strategy: The 20-Minute Alignment

Take 20 minutes this evening to perform a Weekly Reset:

Dump – Write down everything weighing on your mind. No filter.
Delete/Delegate – Review the list. What can wait? What can someone else handle?
The Big 3 – Circle the three items that would make the biggest impact on your center or your mental health. These are your non-negotiables.

The Practice: Personas and the Reset

Firefighter – Avoid the “Busy Trap.” Don’t pick easy wins—tackle the hard thing that will prevent the next fire.
Peacekeeper – Prioritize the “Hard Ask.” Let one of your Big 3 be a courageous conversation you’ve been avoiding.
Perfectionist – Schedule “Buffer Time.” Don’t pack your calendar to the brim. Leave breathing room so chaos doesn’t knock you off center.

Exercise: The Monday Morning Huddle (Solo)

Before interacting with staff Monday morning:

Stand in your lobby or office.
Say this mantra to yourself:
“I am the leader of this center and of this culture. I will lead with a pause, I will protect my time, and I will focus on my Big 3.”
Visualize yourself handling a challenge (like a call-out) with composure and clarity. Imagine yourself succeeding before the week even begins.

Director’s Journal Prompt

“My Big 3 goals for this week are:

________________
________________
________________

‍I am choosing these because they will help me move from reacting to leading. This week, I own my schedule; my schedule does not own me.”

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