In a previous newsletter, I introduced the idea that every leader runs on an operating system

Either you design it—or it designs you

I told you that, when I took over the design and execution of my own operating system, something truly magical happened:

• I regained (or, more honestly, gained for the first time) a deeper sense of myself

• I ordered my time in a way that actually gave me time back

• I gave structure to personal and professional goals that enabled me to reach growth milestones in all areas of my life

• I gained a clearer sense of clarity and peace in my life

In today’s newsletter, I want to back the camera out to provide the overview that guides the entire system:

My optimal view of myself

Now, this is not some arrogant or overinflated view I have of myself

Rather, it is the answer to the question: “What kind of person do I want to be?”

It is hard to know what goals to aim at or what systems to design to hit those goals if I do not have a clear answer to that question

Conceptualizing this “optimal view of myself” took some time as it required me to really ask hard questions of myself and do some deep introspection to come up with what, for me, are the most essential qualities and dispositions I desire in myself.

I spent a long time reading, thinking, and journaling to get to these answers, so my biggest suggestion at this point is to listen to your life

**Please note: These are MY answers to that question. Yours no doubt will be different and that’s ok. The key is to ask and pursue the question

For me, I say that I want to be a person of:

• PURPOSE AND MEANING

• APPRECIATION AND GRATITUDE

• CONSISTENCY AND CONNECTION

• PRESENCE AND DEPTH

But here’s the key: You cannot become this kind of person by just rolling out of bed

Each of these qualities and dispositions take effort, work, deliberation, and intentionality

They take desire (you have to want them), discipline (you have to work on them), and dedication (you have to stick with the work)

But, most importantly, if I do not have these guiding qualities, I won’t know what system I need to build in order to reach them

James Clear, in his book Atomic Habits, says it this way:

Clear reminds us that “Every action you take is a vote for the type of person you wish to become.” 

The process of building habits isn’t about gritting our teeth through willpower—it’s about shaping identity.

Before systems and strategies, we need clarity on who we want to be

That’s why I start with a simple but powerful question: Who is my optimal self as a leader and as a human being? 

For me, that has meant defining myself as a person of purpose, gratitude, consistency, and depth.

Once you’ve named who you want to be, habits stop feeling like chores and start becoming daily votes cast toward that vision of yourself.

The Operating System of YOU: Identifying Your Optimal Self

What does this mean for you? How can you apply and implement this to design your own personal optimal operating system?

Let’s start by identifying your “optimal self”

The self that you want to be as a person and a leader

Begin by answering this question:

I want to be a person of....

List the qualities and dispositions you want to possess, be known for, have as your inner compass

Example: I want to be a person of...

• Humility and Service

• Intellectual Curiosity

• Human Connection

• Significance

After taking some deep time to reflect and respond to the question of what kind of person you want to be…the next step is to think through the habits that help you become that kind of person

Design Habits That Reinforce Your Identity

Ask yourself:

What’s one habit that casts a daily vote for the person (or educator / leader / person) I want to be?

Examples:

• If I want to be a calm person → I take 3 breaths before walking into a stressful situation

• If I want to be an encouraging leader → I send one note of appreciation daily

• If I want to be a strategic creator → I block 30 minutes each week to think big

Exercise: Choose one “identity habit” to practice this week:

This week, I am going to practice the identity habit of: __________________________________

Hopefully this has been helpful to get you out the door and on the journey towards creating the Operating System of YOU!

Next week, I will share the weekly rhythms I utilize and implement to direct me towards becoming the optimal person I described here today

Every week, I prioritize time in such a way that I have a clear idea of where I am placing my energy, focus, attention, and effort so that I do not end up wasting the precious time I have and so that I gain one more step each day towards becoming the fullest, healthiest, most flourishing version of myself I can be

Stay tuned!

Until next time…

Scott

Want to get ahead of the curve?

If you’re ready to start building your own operating system right now, I’d love to guide you through it.

This is the work I do every day with school leaders—helping you design the habits and systems that allow you to thrive personally and professionally.

Everything I am sharing in this newsletter series is drawn out in more robust detail in the new resource for school leaders: The Flourishing School Leader’s Field Guide!

This 120+ page workbook unpacks in depth my own personal operating system and walks you through how to create yours…as well as other sections on:

• Examining the Inner Landscape of a School Leader

• Engaging Well-being and Meaning

• Leadership as Stillness

• Overcoming Burn Out

• 6 Dimensions of Flourishing Leadership

• Implementing Radical Hospitality in Your School

• Practical Ways to Create a Culture of Purpose and Meaning

And much, much more!

The Flourishing School Leader Field Guide is your essential guide to leading with vision, hope, and humanity—without losing yourself in the process.

Blending practical tools with soul-nourishing reflection, this resource equips school leaders to thrive personally and professionally.

Inside, you’ll find self-assessments, thought provoking practices, mini-retreat guides, and proven strategies to rekindle passion, restore purpose, and create an ecosystem of trust and flourishing in your school community.

What if you could step away from the ordinary, walk ancient paths, and rediscover your true rhythm—while building a community of deeply supportive peers?

School leadership is a sacred journey—a calling filled with both challenge and possibility.

Yet even the most inspired leaders need a place to pause, reflect, and be renewed.

That’s the heart of the RecenterED IRELAND School Leadership Cohort—a year-long experience that begins with a 6-day, 5-night pilgrimage through Ireland’s sacred landscapes followed up with coaching, connection, and intentional community support throughout the school year

How it works:

6 days in Ireland – A pilgrimage of rest, rhythm, and restoration.

Year-long community of practice – Six peer coaching sessions plus individual coaching.

Tangible outcomes – Renewed purpose, clear strategy, and sustainable energy for leadership.

This isn’t just professional development.

It’s a pilgrimage—and a living community—that will sustain your soul, your vision, and your leadership