Back-to-School Leadership: 4 Simple Steps to Playing Your Own Game

THE RUCKUS MAKER MONTHLY THEME: PLAY YOUR GAME

Back-to-School Leadership: 4 Simple Steps to Playing Your Own Game

September is here.

New notebooks, fresh pencils, and big hopes for the year ahead.

Too many school leaders jump into goal-setting using someone else's playbook.

This year, design a school year that fits your values and vision.

Pick Your Own Game

Before you write down any goals, consider: What game am I playing this year

Without knowing your game, you'll end up following someone else's rules.

Think about what matters most to you this fall:

• Building stronger relationships in your school

• Helping teachers grow their skills

• Taking care of student mental health

• Protecting your own energy so you don't burn out

When you're clear about your game, you can make better choices about where to spend your time.

Once you know your game, you need to set some rules.

Set Goals That Guard What's Important

Most goals are about doing more.

But the best goals protect what matters most.

Instead of chasing more and more tasks, focus on defending your priorities.

Switch your thinking:

• Instead of answering emails whenever notifications ping throughout the day, try turning notifications off and checking email only at set times

• Instead of staying until every task is finished each day, try leaving by 5 pm and returning tomorrow with a fresh perspective

When your goals protect your time and energy, you win at your own game instead of someone else's.

Now that you've protected your priorities, it's time to draw some lines.

Pick Your Non-Negotiables

The start of the school year is perfect for setting boundaries.

Pick one or two things you absolutely won't compromise on.

These act like guardrails to keep you on track when things get crazy.

Some examples:

• "I don't check emails after 7 PM."

• "Fridays are for planning and big-picture thinking."

• "I eat lunch away from my desk."

You don't need a long list.

One or two clear lines that match your values.

When tough decisions come up later, these boundaries make choosing easier.

Finally, you need a way to keep score.

Create Your Own Scoreboard

Schools love numbers: test scores, attendance rates, meeting targets.

But if you're playing your own game, you get to decide what winning looks like.

Your scoreboard might include:

• How many real conversations you had with teachers this week

• The energy level you see in classrooms

• How you feel at the end of each day

When you pick your own way to measure success, you stop playing someone else's game and start winning at your own.

The Bottom Line

This school year, don't follow someone else's rules.

Play your game.

Guard what matters, set clear boundaries, and measure success your way.

The leaders who thrive aren't the ones who work hardest at the old game.

They're the ones who create a new one.

Your school year, your rules.