Richard Simon
Every school principal could use more time to meet the relentless demands of the job. Richard Simon, principal of the Wheatley School in Old Westbury, N.Y., shared timesaving tips that he has developed and borrowed during his career. Here are just a few of his practical ideas for saving a principal's most precious resource—time:
- Carry your desk with you. Simon carries a three-ring binder with pocket folders everywhere. It's a simple way to keep organized, he noted, and the binder allows him to be productive during odd moments of down time.
- Keep your own calendar. Simon used to have his secretary keep his calendar, but he has found it more efficient—and client-friendly—to keep his calendar himself. (He photocopies it regularly as a backup.) Another tip: “Never schedule more than 50 percent of your day.”
- Keep your mail moving. Ask your secretary to open your mail and put it in color-coded files, Simon advised. Touch each piece of mail only once—toss it, refer it, act on it, or file it.
- Stay on top of all you have to do. Create to-do lists, then three-hole punch them and put them in a notebook, Simon recommended. In time you'll have amassed a record of the entire year. Then, you can highlight the tasks that you'll need to address next year as well, which can form the basis for a yearly calendar. Another benefit—you can review whether the tasks that absorb your time in are in sync with your goals.
- Your secretary is your best friend. A daily 10-minute meeting with your secretary can save hours, Simon said. Give your secretary clear directions, but also give him authority—and try to protect his time. He will reciprocate by protecting your time.
- Be two places at once. When feasible, cofacilitate events and attend only parts of meetings, so you can use your time more flexibly.
- The day begins the night before. Resist the temptation to rush out of your office in the evening, leaving things in a mess, Simon said. Instead, take 10 minutes at the end of the day to organize for tomorrow.
- Delegate, delegate, delegate. Empower others, Simon urged. Give others the freedom and responsibility to take on tasks—and be sure to give them credit. By sharing authority, principals can increase their influence, he noted.
As a principal, you must find ways to rule the job, or you won't achieve the goals that you care about most, Simon said. “Don't let the job rule you.”