Finding My Rhythm: A Former Educator's Second Act
In previous newsletters, I touched on some of the major life changes 2024 brought, including my retirement; this punctuated important transitions in my career. Like many career-changers in education, I discovered that transitioning isn't just about changing jobs - it's about reimagining your whole approach to work and life.
Reflecting on my experiences and what I've learned from them becomes a critical step in my planning for 2025. I want to share parts of my journey, hoping they resonate with you and your edupreneurial or educational leadership journey.
The Present Journey
When I first retired from the superintendency in June, I'll admit I rushed to fill every space in my calendar. Sound familiar? Many of us do this - jump from one busy schedule to another without taking time to breathe. By August, I had launched Valgar LLC and had published The Edupreneurs Foundation: Principals of Educational Entrepreneurship, diving head-first into the edupreneurial world.
However, I soon realized I had moved too fast and eventually became overwhelmed. The life plan I developed left too much to chance, and now I needed to recalibrate. In many ways, I have been successful in my transition. As I plan for 2025, I need to gain greater clarity on my purpose, goals, and actions.
Many of you have been a part of my journey since the beginning. Whether you're part of my Edupreneurial Network or my Educational Leadership circle, I want to share my journey with you, as it might offer valuable insights no matter your path.
A Different Kind of Report Card
You know how sometimes life feels like a juggling act between work and everything else? That's precisely where I found myself last year. Finding balance while building a more prosperous professional and personal life became my goal for 2025.
I set out to find a scaffold to help me make sense of all the moving pieces in my life. After searching different approaches, I discovered the Life Energy Action Plan (LEAP) framework. LEAP caught my attention because it offers a practical way to bridge that gap between reflection and action. They use a principle called "flashlight battery" - just like a flashlight needs more energy to stay bright, we need to create more energy than we consume. It is based on eight dimensions that assist in developing a "...more fully potentialized self."
This simple organizer helped me understand why some days I was unfocused and felt drained while other days I was energized, even after a full day's work. LEAP was developed by Dr. David George and Susan Francis, who currently offer workshops on this framework (You can read more about LEAP at https://leapupnow.life).
I am also using My Mastery Journal to record and reflect on my daily activities. I wrote this book in 2024 as a tool for self-discovery and transformation. This journal has been helpful as I embark on an inspiring quest to unlock my potential, deepen self-understanding, and create lasting positive change.
As I use these tools, I am discovering a few preliminary insights across the eight different dimensions:
Professional Energy: My retirement in June 2024 wasn't an ending but a beginning. Starting Valgar LLC in August felt like jumping into the deep end, but it connected perfectly with my passion for supporting others. Working with authors on their books and screenplays has brought unexpected joy. The publication of my Entrepreneur Foundation: Principles of Educational Entrepreneurship and My Mastery Journal books weren't just accomplishments; they were proof that taking risks can pay off.
Relationships: Building a community of edupreneurs and educational leaders feels like hosting a dinner party where different friend groups meet. Their conversations spark ideas I never expected. These moments remind me why connections matter - they turn individual sparks into collective light.
I better understand how, for years, my career choices had affected my relationships. Like many professionals today - where 83% report their personal connections suffer due to work demands - I was caught in a challenging pattern. When work took me away from home, I only saw my family a few days each month.
Even when I was physically present, the mental load of my job left little energy for meaningful conversations with friends. This realization mirrors what many are experiencing now, with 40% of people feeling their work schedule cuts into quality time with loved ones. It's why I'm now more intentional about creating boundaries that protect these essential relationships.
Physical Development: Finding time for physical health felt impossible when running a school or a district. Now, I am learning to integrate movement naturally into my day. Walking meetings around my community have become my favorite way to connect with people. It's amazing how a simple walk can energize the conversation and the body. Small changes add up - like standing during phone calls or taking quick stretching breaks between writing sessions. I am also getting used to going to the local Eōs gym for a more serious workout.
Nutritional Balance: You know that saying "you are what you eat"? Concerned about my eating habits over the last few decades, I went to a nutritionist, Bruno Salluso, who helped me with better nutrition. He has supported and guided me in several ways, including understanding my relationship to food and its impact on weight loss, better sleep, and just feeling better. It's not about perfect eating - it's about fueling my purpose.
Financial Condition: When I founded Valgar LLC, I knew I would need to make financial decisions to get started. This decision shaped our bank accounts and my ability to create impact. I was mindful of it and was careful not to overextend. I had to evaluate our household income, including my retirement benefits, investments, and expenditures to ensure my venture was doable. Knowing our level of stability has helped me make better decisions about where to invest time, energy, and resources.
Mental Development: After decades in education, becoming a student again feels both humbling and exciting. Taking entrepreneurship courses, technology workshops, and social media marketing coaching sessions showed me that many things transfer to the entrepreneurial space.
Each day brings new puzzles to solve - from helping an author structure their book to coaching a curriculum expert designing an online course. The best part? Seeing how my background in education and leadership adds depth to understanding edupreneurial concepts.
Spiritual Growth Each time I work with an educator ready to expand their impact, I feel that familiar spark - the same one that lit up my classroom years ago. This journey isn't just about business growth; it's about connecting to something bigger. Whether I'm helping someone find their voice or guiding them toward new possibilities, these moments remind me why this work matters.
I also continue meditating, which I learned while working with the San Francisco Unified School District. It has been an incredible support, especially when I needed to calm my mind or relieve my stress. And now, it helps me start and end my days.
Hearth and Home: My home office has become more than just a workspace - it's where ideas come to life. I've turned it into a creative sanctuary with comfortable spaces for both focused work and relaxed thinking. Creating this nurturing environment hasn't just improved my productivity; it's helped me stay grounded during this transition from educator to edupreneur.
Looking Ahead
As I go through my process, I will continue to reflect across all eight domains, seeking to create a meaningful impact while staying true to my values and purpose. My plan for 2025 includes the following:
Professional
create more spaces for educators to explore edupreneurship safely
expand consulting services with education at the heart
support more authors in turning their expertise into books or courses
complete my book on thought leadership
grow my coaching practice thoughtfully
continue serving on non-profit and for-profit boards
Personal
spend more time with my family
reconnect with old friends and make new ones
exercise more regularly
keep eating healthy
Over the next four weeks, I will follow up with on my progress while asking that, as educational leaders, edupreneurs, or both, you spend time reflecting and planning in ways that will prepare you for a more successful 2025.
I'll also share specific tools I use across different projects. Until then, take a moment to notice where your energy naturally flows. Sometimes, the best opportunities hide in plain sight. Remember, transitions don't have to be perfect to be powerful. They must be authentic to who you are and who you're becoming.
I'd love to hear your story if any of this resonates with you. As always, here are five reflection questions and five tasks below.
Reflection Questions:
When do you feel most energized during your day? What activities or interactions create that spark, and how might you incorporate more of them into your work?
Think about a recent challenge you faced - what strengths did you discover that surprised you, and how might these strengths shape your next steps?
Looking at your current schedule, where do you spend most of your energy? Does this alignment reflect your priorities for 2025?
What's one relationship - personal or professional - that you'd like to nurture more intentionally this year? What's holding you back?
If you could design your ideal day that balances work impact with personal well-being, what would it look like? What small step could you take tomorrow to move toward that vision?
Actionable Tasks:
Create a simple energy log for one week: Note your energy levels (high/medium/low) at different times of the day and what you're doing during those times. Use this data to adjust your schedule for better energy management.
Schedule two "walking meetings" this week - either in person or on the phone. Notice how movement affects your conversation quality and energy levels.
Choose one area of your life (professional, physical, relationships, etc.) and write down three small, specific actions you can take this month to improve it. Put these actions in your calendar as non-negotiable appointments.
Set aside 20 minutes this week to review your current commitments. Identify one thing you can delegate or eliminate to create space for what matters most.
Reach out to one person in your network who inspires you and schedule a coffee chat (virtual or in-person) to learn about their journey and share yours.