Build Recovery Like You Schedule Meetings

Creating Pockets of Recovery: Build Recovery Like You Schedule Meetings
By Dr. Joan Flora, PCC

School leadership is relentless. From early morning emails to after-hours problem-solving, the day can feel like a marathon with no finish line. But here’s the truth: you can’t lead effectively if you’re constantly running on empty.

The key isn’t just managing time—it’s managing energy. And that means building pockets of recovery into your day. These intentional, short moments allow you to reset, refocus, and sustain your stamina. Think of them as oxygen masks: small but essential for long-term resilience.

3 Ways to Create Recovery Pockets, Even on the Busiest Day:
Micro-Movements: Break the Stagnation Cycle

Most school leaders are either constantly on their feet or hunched over a computer, which depletes energy in different ways. The key to physical recovery isn’t long workouts; micro-movements break up muscle tension and restore circulation.

Try This:

Hallway Reset: On your way to your next meeting, roll your shoulders, take a deep breath, and notice your posture.
60-Second Stretch: In between emails, stand up, reach overhead, and stretch your arms side to side.
Walk & Talk: Take non-confidential phone calls while walking outside or take a lap around the cafeteria or gym to reset between tasks.

Even 30 seconds of movement shifts your energy. It reduces stiffness, increases alertness, and gives your brain a fresh start.

The 5-Minute Mental Reset: Shift from Reacting to Leading: The urgency of school leadership creates a cycle of reactivity. If you move from one crisis to the next without pausing, your brain stays in a heightened stress response. The solution? A five-minute mental reset between transitions.

Try This:

Before moving to your next task, meeting, or decision, pause and ask yourself:
What’s the most important thing at this moment? (focus on one thing)
How do I want to show up for this next interaction?
What’s one thing I can let go of right now?

Strategic Silence: Reclaim Your Mental Space: Schools are loud. From ringing bells to urgent conversations, leaders rarely get moments of true quiet. However, silence is essential for processing emotions, organizing thoughts, and recovering from decision fatigue.

Try This:

60-Second Stretch: In between emails, stand up, reach overhead, and stretch your arms side to side.
The Silent Drive: On your way to or from school, turn off the podcast, music, or emails. Let your mind rest.
Three Deep Breaths Before Entering a Room: Before stepping into a meeting, take three slow inhales and exhales to reset your presence.
Five-Minute Alone: When possible, close your office door for five minutes. No emails. No calls.

Silence isn’t wasted time—it’s a recharge station for your brain. It helps you process emotions, clear mental clutter, and regain perspective.

Final Thought: Build Recovery Like You Schedule Meetings

Pockets of recovery don’t require extra hours in your day, but they do require intention. The best leaders aren’t the busiest ones—they’re the ones who know how to sustain their energy. By integrating these micro-recovery moments, you can lead with more clarity, resilience, and presence. Because leadership isn’t just about showing up for others—it’s about showing up for yourself, too.

Want to Get Even Better at This?
Understanding emotions is one thing. Applying this in real conversations? That’s where real change happens.

If you want to: