Article Review based on “Embracing the Ambiguity: Twelve Considerations for Holistic Time Management”, Bresciani, M.J., Duncan, A.J., Cao, L.H., About Campus, Nov-Dec, 2010, pg 17-21

1. Article Review: Strategies for Holistic Time Management in Education, Vickie Sax
Based on “Embracing the Ambiguity: Twelve Considerations for Holistic Time Management”,
Bresciani, M.J., Duncan, A.J., Cao, L.H., About Campus, Nov-Dec, 2010, pg 17-21
This article provided twelve practical suggestions that one might consider in managing their
time, their daily activities, and their attitudes. It provides philosophical advice about one’s
outlook, desires, and attitudes with respect to a changing administrative environment. The
article suggests that if these twelve approaches are adopted into an administrator’s lifestyle,
their life would seem more manageable. The authors recognize the enormous responsibilities
that are piling up on administrators due to budget cuts, teacher layoffs, and dismissing of
support staff, to name but a few challenges. Administrators’ health is sacrificed due to the
increased workload and stress, and as their morale plunges. Basically, the authors provide
strategies for managing the craziness so that it doesn’t get the best of us. The twelve
suggestions for holistic time management provided in by the authors are:
1. Schedule well-being time first
2. Own our values, prioritize them, and communicate them
3. Schedule blocks of time for priorities
4. Be flexible with priorities
5. Schedule time for crisis and interruptions
6. Inhale and exhale
7. Replace negative thoughts with positive words
8. Stay in an educative frame of mind
9. Cancel meetings without agendas

2. 10. Make connections across multiple roles
11. Celebrate milestones
12. Choose the moments to be fully present
According to this article, “balance” is old verbiage and an out dated concept. It addresses the
balance of one’s work and play, and suggests that equilibrium can be achieved. It is difficult to
apply this term to schools and administrators. Instead, the authors believe “reframing” the
topic is the way to go. Administrators should shift their mindset from the concept of balancing
the compartments of their life, to a holistic approach in which they see the compartments of
their life as integrated. Research conducted by Caroline Showers and Virgil Zeigler-Hill focused
on the concept of integrated/holistic thinking versus compartmentalized thinking, and its
relationship to one’s self-image. Their results showed that greater mood stability comes from
integrated/holistic thinking, while a rollercoaster effect on mood and emotions comes from
compartmentalized thinking. Administrators should embrace their changing roles and
responsibilities holistically rather than compartmentally. If we are going to strive to educate
students holistically, then we too as administrators must have a holistic mindset. Aligning our
mindsets will be a win-win, and students will benefit from our change.
Administrators can adopt a holistic mindset in two ways. First, having more focus will produce
more resourceful energy and interactions will then become more purposeful. The authors
states “our attention will be focused in the moment and on the student, rather than on the
other 50 things on our daily to-do lists”. Research done by Omer Simsek on subjective

3. wellbeing also indicates that administrators should approach things holistically. Simsek
suggests that we should look at life as a continuous project and set of goals. With this mindset,
we don’t feel so pressured to meet every goal immediately and to be continuously balanced.
This will allow us to focus on the current task knowing we can get other tasks done in future.
Second, stop worrying excessively about things that are out of our control, and instead choose
to focus our energy on the things we can control and influence. Research conducted by Paolo
Verme shows that freedom of choice is a strong indicator of happiness. When we choose how
to spend our time it leads to a more balanced self. We can be holistic rather than being
dictated by a specific role.
This article is relevant to principals because of the realities they face in managing their schools
and the possibility that they may become overwhelmed with responsibilities. Principals’ stress
levels are increasing everyday along with ever-increasing workloads and pressures for their
schools to succeed. Principals have a lot to juggle. They can be stretched so thin that their
ability to deliver quality work is compromised. As a leader, you must produce everyday as if it’s
game day! There is no room for less than par performances, especially when all the eyes of the
wider school community are on you. In addition, principals are expected to be the pace setter
and teachers follow that lead. If you are full of excuses for not being able to handle your job, so
too will be the teachers. If principals take a more holistic approach, research suggest that they
will have more energy for their self and the teachers, students, and staff around them. Those
relationships will be further nurtured because of the genuineness of the energy they share.
Also, not worrying about everything they have on their plate allows a principal to do each task,

4. relatively speaking, with proficiency. Other members of the school community see this, and
then there is an implied expectation for them to follow suit.
The twelve suggestions are specifically applicable to principals:
 “Well-being” time is important because you can’t expect to put everyone else and your
job before yourself. If you feel great about yourself, then you can serve others to
achieve the same feeling. This might mean treating yourself to some moments of
inspirational reading, exercising, or walking your dog. Whatever the case, “you” come
first … so that you can serve others effectively.
 You need to have a grip on your values and ideals as an administrator. You are in the
limelight and will be praised or criticized based on the way you carry yourself. If you
walk the talk, then your teachers will expect nothing but the same from themselves and
their individual productivity.
 It’s not enough to set your priorities, you also need to block off time during your day as
a principal to actually accomplish these objectives. Winging it will not allow you to get
done what needs to get done.
 Priorities are important, but you must be able to bend when needed. You can’t be so
set in your ways with getting things done that you lose sight of juggling. As a principal
you have the power to adjust your priorities as needed, and to encourage teachers to be
similarly flexible in meeting students’ needs.
 As a principal it’s inevitable that something unplanned and unforeseen will arise in your
day. It will need your attention, and you will often be called upon to put out the fire.

5. Just expect that you will need additional time during your day to take care of something
you hadn’t planned on.
 Breathe, breathe, and breathe. A principal must be in control, which includes their
ability to take a moment to breath and to collect their energy and thoughts.
 Keeping yourself upbeat with positive talk is imperative to succeeding as a principal. All
kinds of things can go wrong, but dwelling on those thoughts can only drain your
capacity to be productive.
 Principals must be willing to learn every day and to make educated decisions every day
… they are, after all, immersed in a learning environment! Principals are surrounded by
faculty with a great deal of expertise and good ideas, and students who are wise beyond
their years. Principals can learn from each of these groups by watching and listening
carefully.
 The purpose of holding a meeting is an agenda … accomplishing something. If you have
no purpose, you have no agenda. In these cases, be sensible enough to cancel a
scheduled meeting. Your time and your staff’s time are very valuable; time is perhaps
one of the most important resources at your disposal. As a principal, use it wisely.
 It’s important as a principal to be seen in the community playing multiple roles. It’s
good for oneself socially and also to be viewed by the public. It also feeds the
integrated/holistic mindset and fights against the compartmentalization of one’s life.
 You can’t dismiss the goals you have accomplished. Acknowledge what you have
accomplished and you will feel inspired to pursue even bigger goals. Celebrating renews
your spirit to push on and keep the momentum going in a forward direction. The same

6. holds true for your staff. A pat on the back will go a long ways down the road and will
improve your effectiveness as an administrator.
 We are not built to be mentally fresh and sharp all day long. As a principal you have to
realize and accept this fact, and then arrange your day so that you give your sharpest
mental focus to the most crucial tasks and the items upon which you need to have the
biggest impact. Save your multitasking problems when you feel less energized.