Looking for a way to address your challenges? Try using the Rule of 3:

• 3 minutes: Take at least 3 minutes at the end of each day to plan the next day.

• 3 hours: Take 3 hours each week to work on 1 key project.

• 3 days: For the first 3 days after an extended vacation, focus on helping those you supervise to get going, not on getting yourself going.

• 3 weeks: For the first 3 weeks of school, focus on helping those you supervise to get going, not on getting yourself going. And for the first 3 weeks of 4th quarter, focus on planning for the next school year.

• 3 months: Use the first 3 months of a school year to initiate improvement plans—then take the rest of the school year to follow up.

• 3 years: If you’re a new principal, give yourself 3 years to establish yourself. You don’t have to get everything right in the first 2 years, but by year 3 year you do need to have established yourself.