THE OPERATING SYSTEM OF YOU

A large part of this line of thinking for me has been inspired by the work of James Clear in Atomic Habits, Matt Gray’s work on creating optimal operating systems, and Jocko Willink and Leif Babin’s book Extreme Ownership. I HIGHLY recommend checking them out (affiliate links)

I want to share with you something that has been magical for me

But first, here’s a hard truth I had to swallow:

You either design your operating system—or it designs you

Every one of us—whether we realize it or not—runs on an operating system

The unseen structure of your life and leadership

The habits, rhythms, and default patterns that quietly determine who you are becoming

For years, I let my operating system “just happen”

I was busy. I felt like things were moving. I got things done

But I was also feeling overwhelmed with the sheer volume of demands on my life and my role as a school leader

Life was leading me as it willed…not the other way around

Over time, I started to see the cracks:

• I was inconsistent in my health

• The big picture ideas I had never got off the ground

• I felt like I was chasing my tail most days

• Most importantly, I wasn’t becoming the person—or the leader—I wanted to be

So I made a decision: I would take ownership of my operating system

I stopped relying on willpower and started building intentional systems

I designed structures that would work for me even on the days I was tired or distracted

• I created a physical system to stay healthy, energized, and consistent

• I built an intellectual system to stay sharp and creative in my leadership

• I developed relational, emotional, spiritual, and financial systems to ensure I was living and leading with purpose, not just scrambling through my days

The difference has been profound—not because I became “perfect,” but because I finally became intentional

Why This Matters for You

If you’re an educator or school leader like me, you’re carrying a heavy load

You’re constantly solving other people’s problems

You’re expected to be steady, strategic, compassionate, and clear—often all at once

But here’s the thing:

You can’t lead others well if you’re running on a default operating system

Socrates says the unexamined life is not worth living, but I think the unintentional life is also not great

When you take ownership of your systems, you stop living in reactive mode. You stop relying on last-minute energy bursts

You start to feel aligned, grounded, and focused—not just for your own sake, but for the students, teachers, and communities you serve

When I took extreme ownership of my day, when I regulated the rhythms of my life, when I gave structure to the chronology, when I created an Operating System for myself…everything began to change

It really became almost magical in its ability to turn my life inside out both personally and professionally

I’ve seen my health improve, my work as a leader improve, my work as a coach and consultant for other school leaders improve, my thought leadership improve, and my overall outlook and impact improve

That’s why I decided to create this mini-series on creating the Operating System of You

To help you experience the magic I’ve experienced taking ownership of the Operating Systems of my life

What’s Coming Next

In the weeks ahead, I’m going to pull back the curtain on my own operating system—how I’ve structured my days, habits, time, and rhythms to help me flourish as both a person and a leader

I’ll share practical steps you can adapt and implement right away

This isn’t about doing more

It’s about designing the structures that create you—the educator, the leader and the person you most want to become

Next week, I’ll show you the first part of my system and how it transformed my leadership and life

Until then, blessings on the journey

With gratitude,

Scott

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

I’d love your input!!!

This questionnaire is designed to discover exactly how I can serve you best. To let me know what tools, opportunities, and experiences would be most valuable to you. Your honest feedback will directly shape the resources I create—ensuring they are meaningful, practical, and immediately helpful. Your responses are completely confidential. 

If you have five minutes, FILL OUT THE QUESTIONNAIRE and let me know how I can help you