 Surprised by the joy of it all. Being impacted by significant burnout and turning 60 next year has given me a clear and confronting realisation that some health impacts aren’t reversible, and holding on too tightly to the old season can dim the light of what’s next possible. Now that I am in a new season of Spring, this awareness has landed most gently in the daily rituals that truly matter -like the walks I take with my granddaughter. Every morning, as we step into the world, I’m reminded that joy is both ordinary and extraordinary at once, and that simple moments can recalibrate a life. In the words of C.S. Lewis, I’ve been “surprised by joy.”
This New Chapter When I reflect on the arc of my career and health, the turning point feels less like a dramatic pivot (which it certainly was) and now more like a compassionate recommitment to exploring my ultimate purpose. It isn’t about giving up (as much as I battle that thought in my head); it’s about choosing a wiser path that honours my legacy, protects my health, and prioritises what matters most. The presence of my granddaughter on those short morning strolls has been a powerful compass. Her gorgeous smile, laughter, excitement, wonder, and discoveries of new things push me to slow down, breathe, and notice the world again -especially noting the small details that I have too often rushed past in the busyness of leadership, my work, and day-to-day life. My Health and Energy My body doesn’t rebound the way it used to. My focus now isn’t more for the sake of more, but what sustains me for the long haul -so I can show up for the people I love and for the communities I’ve had the privilege to serve. That means honouring limits, prioritising sleep and rest, and choosing routines that restore rather than exhaust. Those walks with my granddaughter are a daily reminder that vitality isn’t a sprint; it’s a rhythm I must learn to keep. It’s in the pace of a slow, curious approach rather than the pressure to perform at every moment. If I am to continue as a leader further down the track (I’d like to think that I am still considered to be one), I want to model a version of leadership that is sustainable and strategic, recognising when to pause, recharge, pivot, and begin again with intention. As I have previously mentioned, burnout is not a badge of honour -it's a painful and confronting reality, an accumulation of warning signs I chose to ignore for far too long. They were a wake-up call and I’m grateful it didn’t end worse. Relationships and Family The quality of relationships -the people I love, my wife, children, friends, and now my granddaughter, grows more precious with time. My granddaughter’s daily presence is a bright thread weaving through my days. I am marvelling at her growing grasp of language and communication. Even before she talks, she asks questions about the world, loves our morning walk (and now the swings at the park). Now that she is crawling, it’s fascinating to see her developing a sense of self, space, world, and safety, each reminders that life’s deepest work happens in ordinary, shared moments. Letting Go as a Strength Letting go isn’t loss; it’s been a decision to move toward a healthier, more sustainable future. I’ve learned to release some familiar things that once defined me -particular projects and daily achievements, old assumptions from my never-ending to-do list, my fast pace and relentless “more is better” mindset. I am learning that each letting go isn’t a retreat but a conscious reallocation of energy toward stepping into this next chapter with intention -focusing on what truly nourishes my health, supports and empowers my family, and protects blocks of personal time and the 8 hours of sleep I need. Have a Beginner’s Mind The next 12 to 24 months feel like a fresh map being drawn. I’m identifying new skills and ongoing supports, staying open to meaningful possibilities, so I can contribute in ways that align with my core values and who I want to be both now and in the future. I love the concept of being a lifelong learner. Now, in many ways, I am starting all over again. It’s both daunting and exciting. My Purpose and Core Values Letting go isn’t abandoning purpose; rather, it has helped me clarify what’s most important to me. It’s reorienting purpose toward health, sustainable impact, and my core values of love, justice, compassion, and kindness. The walks with my granddaughter anchor this shift for me, reminding me that kindness toward others begins with care for myself, and that a leader’s best work may start in the smallest, simplest, and most intimate of moments. I’m going to explore this further in one of my next posts. What’s Your Safety Net? If you’re experiencing burnout or other health concerns, seek medical guidance or mental-health support. You don’t have to navigate this alone. I’ve learned from my psychologist that asking for help is a sign of resilience and self-respect, not weakness. If you’re navigating a similar turning point or simply want to talk through next steps, I’m happy to chat. DM me to connect, share resources, or discuss a practical path forward—today or down the road. You’re not alone, and there are steps you can take. What small daily ritual helps you recalibrate and protect your wellbeing? I’m collecting ideas from peers who lead with heart. If you’re navigating a major transition, I’d love to hear how you find moments of joy and renewal. DM me to connect.
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 Seasons come and seasons go both in life and in the wild and wonderful work of leading a school. Change is inevitable, and this year I’m learning that there’s less to fear when I am open to the changing seasons of life and start learning from what is happening in and around me.
There are many ways to consider what each of the seasons might represent. I have found it helpful to align life experiences with the seasons in the calendar year and, more broadly, to reflect on the seasons of my career and leadership. As I mentioned previously, Spring for me represents new beginnings and fresh growth. I’m definitely in an extended Spring, with some winter remnants hanging on. The winter I have experienced has been a time of challenge -a season of significant burnout. While reflecting on its impact on my personal and professional life, I have learned that burnout is not a badge of honour; rather, it’s a professional risk that can quietly erode impact, clarity, and flourishing. I’m learning that deliberate recalibration does not erase the past, but it has certainly protected my health, deepened relationships, and unlocked a more sustainable path forward. Coming out of Winter, I recognised that I had to let go of many things that were important to me -the joy of my work, so much of my identity, my successes and achievements, passions, projects, vision, and, most importantly, the privilege of a shared journey with students, families, teachers, my school community, and wider professional colleagues. Warning signs within my body, energy levels, irritability, and my mental health were telling me to let go. With so much at stake, a new season, a turning point was necessary, and what was needed was the courage to let go. When it comes to letting go, there are two paths we can choose. One path is attachment, not letting go at all -a fixed mindset, clinging to nostalgia and the glory moments, forgetting that the sun did not always shine as brightly as you recall. The other path is curiosity, growth, hope, and wisdom -sounds simple, but believe me, it’s as scary as hell. Perhaps you are in a winter season of your own -sometimes this can be relatively intense and short, part of the annual cycle of leading a school, and all that’s needed is to make it through to the end of the school term. But what do you do when the school holidays do not replenish your spirit, strength, and vitality as they once did? Perhaps your winter is a long and relentless grind of leadership challenges (not to mention the added pressures of your personal life and the ones you love) - you might see your relationships splintering, a very short fuse, the kids and people you love working with starting to irritate and annoy you, or that evening glass of wine becoming a weekday necessity. It took me two and a half years to listen to my doctor’s repeated warnings before I started to really listen. My turning point came when my anxiety was frequently debilitating -catastrophising even the smallest work-related problems and issues - the things I once confidently handled with professional skill and ease. Something is clearly not right when you begin to dread something you love so much. Which season are you in right now? I encourage you to use the current school holidays to reflect on which season you find yourself in. If it’s spring, enjoy all that’s new and wonderful - the anticipation of a fresh responsibility, a new role or project. If it’s summer and you're loving life, be filled with humility, generosity and gratitude for your vitality, productivity, and abundance. If it’s autumn, it’s a time for pruning, so have an open mind for creating new space, decluttering -be honest with yourself about what you need to change and let go of. If you are in a time of winter, experiencing emptiness and despair, I pray that you stay strong. Balance the grief and the hurt you are experiencing with gratitude. Know that you are not alone; God is always present. Seek help and support however this might be needed -people love you more than you know, and perhaps you feel. One of the wonderful aspects of leading a school community is that which is found in contrasts - celebrating achievements, mourning loss, living the highs and the lows, the joys and the sorrows with others, experiencing the growth and the challenge. Change is inevitable. Embrace the season you’re in, learn from it, understand that you are growing no matter what the circumstance, and keep moving forward with curiosity. The season will change despite your resistance or hanging on for dear life. In all of this your wellbeing isn’t optional. The people in your life who matter most need you to be your best self -and so do you. Love yourself. If this resonates, I’d love to hear from you. Leave a comment if it helped, or DM me if you’d like to connect. If you’re navigating a challenging season, I’m happy to point you toward resources that helped me. #SeasonsOfLife #K12Leadership #WellbeingAtWork #EducationLeadership #BurnoutPrevention #LeadershipWellbeing #GrowthMindset #LeadershipResilience |
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