Rest, Relax, and Rejuvenate for Renewal

Summer is upon us! Diocesan curriculum & instruction director Diane Walters stresses the importance of relaxing!

“Leadership demands making the impossible happen, being prepared for the unexpected, and learning from the lessons of history. It is the human spirit that makes the difference.” - Lady Margaret Thatcher

Educational leaders are faced with a variety of challenges in their work with academia, implementing curriculum, the daily operations of school business, strategic plans and the many other facets of the job. The drive to set high standards and goals is a natural phenomenon and mediocrity is not an option. A desire to perform proficiently to better schools, employees, and the community lives in the heart of every educational leader.

Having such passion for the job and realizing how influential this type of work is often tempts educational leaders to work many additional hours. Extra time is spent taking work home each day. Weekends are cut short to “catch up” or to prepare for the upcoming week. Many educational leaders stay in their offices long after the building has been locked for the night. New initiatives become priorities that are added to the workload and it becomes a struggle to accomplish the surge of tasks. Too often, educational leaders forget to fuel themselves for sustained energy and strength.

We all need time to rest, relax, and rejuvenate to give us inspiration.
Rest, relaxation, and rejuvenation are familiar concepts to athletes and other workers who recover after an extreme physical effort. However, this concept is often overlooked after an extreme mental effort. The answer is to design opportunities for renewal. Participating in uplifting seminars is one way to accomplish this challenge. This year Tom Kidd, the keynote speaker at a diocesan sponsored in-service modeled ways in which educators could rejuvenate themselves and others through positive attitudes and laughter. Each participant received a card listing the fundamentals of rejuvenation. Reading positive material can inspire and encourage people.

Fundamentals of Rejuvenation:

Pray
Be excited about life
Count your blessings daily
Laugh often
Don’t make excuses
Expect the best from yourself
Care about others
Respect yourself
Set goals
Use positive self-talk
Hang with positive people
Tell those you love you do
Keep a positive attitude

The most significant resource available to enhance rest, relaxation, and rejuvenation exists within our inner core. It is our deep faith in the Lord that will give us strength, energy, and guidance. It is vital to build a component of rejuvenation into the manner in which you work each day. This will stimulate creativity and clarify your role as an educational leader. Rejuvenation provides freedom to embrace difficult circumstances, reduce stress, and make better, more conscious decisions. Challenges will always remain constant in life, but responding to challenges defines our inner strength.

Rest, relaxation, and rejuvenation are the keys to future success!