The Truth You’re Missing About December

Most leaders assume December feels heavy because the work gets harder. But that’s not true.

And I can say that because I’ve coached leaders in every season, in every type of school, and under every kind of pressure, from the “everything is falling apart” semesters to the “we might make it” ones.

Here’s the truth no one names, December doesn’t take leaders out.October does. December simply reveals the cost of the rhythm you’ve been leading in since fall. Let me explain.

A Moment That Stopped Me

A principal I coach said something that hit me harder than she realized, “I don’t think I’m tired from the work.I think I’m tired from the way I’ve been working.” And aren't we all? Leaders don’t burn out from the workload. They burn out from:

• constantly shifting their focus

• reacting to the loudest crisis

• jumping from urgency to urgency

• making decisions without mental space

• letting the day run them

• hoping tomorrow feels different, but leading the same way

It wasn’t her effort that was draining her.It was her rhythm. The rhythm was unstable.The rhythm was reactive.The rhythm was built for survival, not strateg, and December? December simply brought the bill due.

Most leaders don’t need more time.They need fewer competing priorities.

Most leaders don’t need more PD.They need a predictable weekly cadence.

Most leaders don’t need more meetings.They need clarity they can protect.

Most leaders don’t need to “finish strong.”They need to reset the way they lead.

But reaction-mode leadership convinces you that staying busy is leading.

And that’s how good leaders burn out, not from work,but from working inside a rhythm that works against them.

What We Don’t Talk About

Leadership exhaustion is rarely emotional. It’s structural. Let me say that again, Your exhaustion is not a character flaw.It’s a structural flaw in your week. Once my principal rebuilt her rhythm —not the tasks, not the goals, not the list —she told me, “I didn’t change the work.I changed how I carried it.” Within two weeks:

• her team became more consistent

• her meetings felt lighter

• her decisions felt clearer

• she got her time back

• and she could breathe again

The work didn’t change. Her rhythm did. So if December feels heavy, don’t blame the month. Blame the rhythm. And the beauty of rhythm is this: It can be rebuilt. Not with a miracle. Not with a break. Not with a new planner. But with intention.

Your Leadership Action Step This Week

Write down the ONE part of your day where you lose the most time.That’s the first place your new rhythm begins. Don’t overthink it. Just name the pattern. Because clarity starts with recognition. And here’s why I’m telling you this now… I’ve been building something quietly — something simple, sustainable, and designed for leaders who are done with reaction-mode days and ready for a rhythm that actually supports them. It’s coming soon.

And if your days have been running you more than you’ve been running them, I want you to stay close. This next step is going to help.

Keep going.

— Dr. Damia