Another Manic Monday: A Reset for Flourishing Teachers
Written by Andrew Murray, former Principal and Director, Lumina Consulting
As a school leader, I used to find Mondays tough. Even after shaking off the “Scary Sundays”, that creeping feeling that the weekend was ending and the week’s challenges were lining up, Monday mornings often felt like stepping straight into a storm. The emails, the planning, the student needs, the unexpected fires to put out… all before the first coffee had even kicked in.
When I started the week in this state, it showed. My focus was scattered, small problems felt bigger than they were, and I found myself running on empty before Wednesday arrived. I was reacting to everything and leading nothing. That cycle was exhausting and it slowly wore down the joy I’d always had for teaching.
The turning point came when I realised I didn’t have to let Mondays set the tone. If I could take just five minutes before the day began to reset my mind and body, I could step into the week with clarity, energy, and boundaries. This short practice helped me move from survival mode to a rhythm that allowed both me and my students to flourish.
Here’s the five-minute Monday reset I wish I’d known about earlier in my career.
1. Tune In to Your Energy
Before you even open your laptop, stand or sit comfortably, place your hands on your belly, and take three deep, steady breaths. Let the noise of the day wait while you notice the rise and fall of your breathing.
Quietly rate your current energy on a scale from 1 to 10. Then ask yourself:
What’s one energy drainer I can ease or avoid today?
What’s one energy supporter I can prioritise?
What small intention can I set to protect my energy?
You might adjust your expectations — moving a non-urgent task to later in the week or deciding to take lunch away from your desk.
This first step is about starting where you really are, not where you wish you were. It’s about honouring your capacity so you can teach from a place of balance. When teachers acknowledge their limits, they model self-awareness and sustainable practice for their students.
2. Find Your One Big Thing
Once you’ve taken stock of your energy, it’s time to focus it. Grab a scrap of paper or open your notes app. Write down the three most important tasks or projects for the week — the things that will truly move the needle for you or your students.
Circle the one that would make the biggest difference if completed. Break it into 2–3 small, clear steps. Schedule the first step into your calendar and then put all other lists away for now.
This is where overwhelm starts to lift. You’re not trying to do it all — you’re choosing to do what matters most. Teachers flourish when they feel a sense of progress and purpose, rather than juggling endless competing priorities.
3. Build Your Boundaries
With your focus set, the final step is to protect it. Look over your calendar for the week ahead.
Identify one meeting or duty you can shorten.
Block out one 15-minute breathing space between classes or duties.
Choose one request you will decline or defer.
Decide on one digital boundary — for example, no checking emails during your first period of non-contact.
Add a small visual marker to your desk that signals, “This is my space” — maybe a plant, a photo, or a quote.
Boundaries are not barriers to your work, they’re what make good work possible. They protect your energy, allow for moments of renewal, and help you stay present in the classroom. They also set a professional standard that your time and focus have value.
Flourishing in teaching isn’t about always feeling energised or positive. It’s about cultivating the conditions, physical, emotional, and relational, that allow you to bring your best to your students and your subject.
A five-minute Monday reset might seem small, but it’s a signal to yourself: I’m starting this week with intention. It can shift your mindset from “just getting through” to “shaping the week I want to have.”
You don’t have to be at 100% to make a difference. You just have to be clear about where you are, focused on what matters most, and willing to protect the time and energy that lets you flourish.
Post-it reminder: Start grounded, not just running — lead the week, don’t let it lead you.
If you’re a teacher who’s ready to explore the concept of flourishing—for yourself, your classroom, or your school—I’d love to invite you to the Wellbeing for Future Focused Schools Conference. I’ll be sharing practical tools, lived insights, and reflections to help you protect your energy, sustain your passion, and create a culture of care in your everyday practice.
This blog is part of a series shared in the lead-up to the National Education Summit, where we’ll explore what flourishing leadership looks like in practice. Whether you’re a principal, middle leader, or just starting out, this session will give you practical ways to rethink your week, refocus your leadership, and protect your energy. If you're serious about leading well without burning out, I’d love to see you there.
I’ve worked with leaders across schools, government teams, and not-for-profits—and the same pattern keeps showing up. It’s not time that breaks people, it’s energy mismanagement. That’s the conversation we need to have. Because the question at the heart of this isn’t just how do we care for others—but who is caring for the carers? If we want sustainable leadership, that question matters more than ever.
If you're organising a conference, staff retreat, or wellbeing day—or you're looking for a keynote that brings warmth, humour, and real-world tools—I’d love to bring this message to your community. This is more than a talk; it's a practical, people-first invitation to lead with purpose and protect what matters most. Let's talk.
Please feel free to send me a message—I'd love to have a chat with you.
📍 Melbourne: 28 - 29 August 2025 | Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre