Higher education’s relentless pace isn’t slowing down—demands on faculty and staff continue to grow, making it harder to focus and easier to feel drained. When your time and energy are pulled in every direction, how do you regain control and stay engaged? The key isn’t a complete overhaul of your routine but small, intentional shifts that help you prioritize what truly matters.

This month, we present a two-fold approach: first, a mindset shift that refocuses your energy on what you can control, and second, a practical strategy for structuring your week to boost clarity and productivity. By identifying meaningful work and tackling tasks you've been avoiding, these five simple yet powerful actions can help you regain focus, reduce stress, and reignite your motivation.

January offers a fresh start, bringing that fresh-start energy—perfect for revisiting your goals and rethinking your growth plans. But let’s be honest: "learning and development" often get pushed down the to-do list as the year goes on. So, how do you make the commitment stick?

Inspired by a recent Supervisory Conversations session, this month’s article explores how setting aside time for intentional reflection, overcoming challenges, and making learning a part of your daily routine can help keep your growth on track—even when life gets hectic.

Is your team productive, or burned out? Do they feel empowered or left to flounder? Effective team management isn't about relying on one approach; it's about making adjustments as needed. Effective supervisors successfully navigate productivity vs. wellbeing, autonomy vs. guidance, and stability vs. flexibility. The key is recognizing when things are out of balance and adjusting accordingly.