Here's How I Trained Myself To Wake Up At 5 am (or earlier) To Work On My Personal Growth

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➡️ Being a new mom at the time, early mornings were the only time I had to work on personal projects such as writing a book, designing websites, or taking courses. These activities were like fuel for me.⁠

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➡️ It was already a challenge to rise at the crack of dawn, so I wanted to ensure my time was productive. I made sure to focus on only one project at a time—whether it was writing a book, taking courses, or creating content for my coaching business.⁠

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➡️ Time flies by in the morning—ever notice that? That’s why I made sure to have all my tools, passwords, highlighters, and other essentials ready and waiting at my desk. Plus, you don’t want to wake up the household rummaging through the house for a pen!⁠

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➡️ I also jotted down what I wanted to work on to avoid ping-ponging from task to task.⁠

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➡️ Before signing off, I would review my work and write on a post-it note what to focus on the next morning. This was important because I had momentum, and my ideas were fresh. It was the perfect time to outline the next steps. This is one of the MOST IMPORTANT STEPS!⁠

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If you want help crafting your unique Morning Power Hour, click on this LINK! You're 30 minutes away from stepping into a WHOLE new world!

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9 Pieces of Advice I Would Offer New (and seasoned) Principals

The other day, I had the pleasure of presenting to a group of aspiring principals during their principalship training.

As I thought about what would be super useful for them, I reflected on my own experiences. What would I have wanted to hear when I was in their shoes?

Drawing inspiration from my book Beyond The First-Year Principal, I shared nine pieces of advice I believe are crucial for the first six weeks of their principalship:

1.Start building relationships from day one! Get inside the school and talk to everyone, starting with the custodian and the secretary—two pillars of any school!

2. Get to know your school intimately—through DATA!

Dig deep into report card scores, standardized test scores, the special ed profile, mental health profile, etc. Understand its personality.

3. Seek and develop leadership from within. This is essential for initiatives and projects. You can’t do it all on your own, and involving others will make them feel validated. It’s also beneficial for their mental health—purpose!

4. Be visible and accessible. Set the standard high from day one. Walk into classrooms, ask questions, stay curious, and always look for ways to support instruction.

5. Develop a solid communication plan. You can NEVER over-communicate. If you don’t have all the answers, that’s okay! Take control of the messaging before someone else does.

6. Develop a reflective practice through journaling. Reflect on how you contribute to successes or failures—there’s no room for ego here.

7. Prioritize your health and well-being. Engage in creative, meaningful pursuits. Have hobbies, exercise, sleep, set boundaries, and breathe! Your work isn’t going anywhere.

8. Find more than one mentor. One person can’t possibly have all the answers or strengths. Seek out people with the skills you want to develop and let them guide you, adding “pins” of knowledge to your map!

9. BONUS LESSON: Prioritize professional development. You don’t need a 2-hour course to check off your PD box. My new Digital Product Suite offers short courses focusing on one or two elements you can explore deeply (in 25-30 minutes) and implement right away for quick wins! Now, who doesn’t want that to start their principalship?

Building a Positive School Culture: Three Essential Strategies

As you step into your role as a principal, remember that every challenge is an opportunity for growth. This week, let's focus on how you can cultivate a thriving school environment. This is what we're focusing on this week!

This Week's Focus: Creating a Positive School Culture

Creating a positive school culture is key to student and staff success. When everyone feels valued and motivated, the entire school community thrives. Let’s dive into three strategies to help you build this supportive and engaged environment:

1. Encourage Open Communication

Open communication is the heartbeat of a healthy school culture. Think about setting up channels for regular feedback from your staff and students. This could be suggestion boxes, surveys, or regular check-in meetings. When people feel heard, they engage more positively. And don’t just collect feedback—act on it! Show your community that their voices matter and you’re willing to make changes. This builds trust and transparency. For more on fostering communication, check out “Crucial Conversations: Tools for Talking When Stakes Are High” by Kerry Patterson.

2. Celebrate Achievements

Everyone loves to be recognized. Celebrating both big and small successes can give a huge boost to morale. Whether it’s an academic milestone, personal growth, or contributions to the school’s values, make it a point to acknowledge these wins. You can do this through assemblies, newsletters, social media shout-outs, or a simple thank-you note. Recognizing achievements not only motivates individuals but also inspires others to strive for excellence. If you’re looking for ways to enhance your celebration strategies, “The Power of Moments: Why Certain Experiences Have Extraordinary Impact” by Chip Heath and Dan Heath is a great read.

3. Model Positive Behavior

As a school leader, you set the tone. Your actions speak volumes, so lead by example. Show respect, act with integrity, and maintain a positive attitude—even when things get tough. When you model the behavior you want to see, others will follow suit. This approach promotes a culture of respect and positivity throughout the school. For more insights on leadership, I recommend “Leaders Eat Last: Why Some Teams Pull Together and Others Don’t” by Simon Sinek.

By encouraging open communication, celebrating achievements, and modeling positive behavior, you’ll create a school environment where everyone feels valued and motivated. Let’s build a thriving school community together!

For more resources and tips, don’t forget to check out my book, The First-Year Principal: 52 Practical Lessons to Help New Principals Thrive as Conscious Leaders by Daphne Wallbridge​​

What else would you add to this list?

Are you a new principal seeking personalized guidance? Or perhaps you’re a seasoned principal who’s lost your mojo and is looking to rekindle the spark but doesn’t know where to start? Introducing Clarity Coaching! This new addition to my low-ticket product suite is quickly becoming the most requested service. Be sure to check it out!