March Mayhem: Juggling the Now While Planning What’s Next

March is a wild one, isn’t it? There’s something about this month that stirs up everything. It’s not quite the end, but it sure starts to feel like it. Kids are testing boundaries. Teachers are tired. Testing is knocking. Your calendar’s packed, your inbox is overflowing, and—just to keep things interesting—you’re supposed to start making decisions for next year, too. Sound familiar?

I remember this season all too well. As a principal, I’d find myself sitting at my desk in a swirl of Post-its, data reports, PD proposals, and student discipline notes, while someone waited outside to ask if we could change lunch procedures or update the staff lounge furniture. All of it felt urgent. None of it could wait. And in the middle of it, I still wanted to lead with vision, not just survive the day.

So here’s what I’ve learned—both as a principal and now as a coach walking alongside school leaders: March requires us to hold two things at once. We have to stay rooted in the right now, while reaching toward what’s next. It’s a balancing act, not a burnout sentence. And with a few intentional shifts, you can juggle it all without losing yourself in the chaos.

The first shift? Stay present—but strategic. This is not the time to coast. Students feel the restlessness of spring, and staff do too. That’s why your presence matters more than ever. Instead of retreating to your office to “catch up,” build in moments of visibility. Walk the halls with purpose. Pop into classrooms just to say, “You’ve got this.” Pick one teacher a day to shout out in your weekly newsletter. The culture you’ve worked all year to create? This is when it needs reinforcement. It’s not about grand gestures—it’s about showing up with consistency and care.

At the same time, don’t ignore the planning that’s already whispering in your ear. You don’t need a 30-page plan by spring break. What you do need is space to think. Block 30 minutes each week. Guard it like it’s a non-negotiable meeting. Use it to reflect: What do I want to carry into next year? What needs to change? I used to keep a Google Doc titled “Next Year Brainstorm”—it lived open on my desktop all spring. When I had a thought, an idea, a moment of clarity, I’d jot it down and move on. It kept the momentum going without demanding perfection.

Also—start involving your people. You don’t have to plan next year in isolation. Ask your leadership team: What’s one thing we want to refine? Which PD topics do we need to revisit? Who’s ready to step into more leadership? Consider forming quick spring working groups—give them a mission, a timeline, and space to innovate. When people help build the vision, they become invested in living it out.

Now, let’s talk boundaries—because March will take all of your time if you let it. And let’s be honest: there’s a difference between being productive and being pulled in a hundred directions. You have permission to protect your calendar. Block out “think time.” Say no to that extra committee. Delay the non-essentials. One trick that saved me? Each week, I asked myself, “What can I let go of this week to lead better?” The answer changed every time—but the freedom it gave me didn’t.

Leading right now isn’t about having all the answers. It’s about asking the right questions, staying anchored in your values, and refusing to lead out of exhaustion. You are not a superhero. You are a human leader doing sacred work in a chaotic season. Give yourself some grace.

And if you’re feeling like you're dropping balls right now—I want to remind you: maybe those weren’t your balls to carry in the first place. Let the non-essentials fall. Keep juggling what matters.

Here’s what I’d tell my younger principal self—and maybe it’s what you need to hear today too:

• Build in “future focus” time like it’s sacred—because it is. Your vision needs margin to breathe.
• Create a shared document for “next year” ideas and invite your team to add to it. Collaboration starts now.
• Designate one morning a week for leadership visibility. Do hallway high-fives. Catch people doing the right thing. It shifts the climate.
• Give your leadership team small missions: Plan a PD outline. Research a new SEL program. Redesign a process. Empower them now so they’re ready to soar later.
• Unsubscribe from urgency. Just because it’s loud doesn’t mean it’s important.

Friend, you were called to lead—and even in March madness, you're doing it. Maybe not perfectly, but with purpose. And that’s more than enough.

Let’s keep going.