Stop Trying to be Happy!

New research shows that focusing too much on whether you feel happy or not can make you feel even less happy! According to researchers, “happiness is not the goal of life, but a by-product of an active, productive life.”

This cutting-edge research (conducted by teams at three major universities) offers three specific suggestions for increasing your level of happiness. With the ongoing challenges school administrators face these days, and the impact that has on their mental health, this short article may provide a much needed breath of fresh air!

Crafting a Memorable Message

According to Charan Ranganath (a professor at the UC Davis Center for Neuroscience), you can make almost any message more memorable! This includes emails, presentations, speeches, and similar communications.

Using the simple 4 C’s of Memorable Messaging, Dr. Ranganath’s research found “greater activation of the brain circuitry involved in forming new memories” with the research subjects retaining much more of the information presented. This not only has implications for administrator communications, but also for some aspects of classroom teaching.

Bottom line: If you want the information that you share to have a lasting impact, the “4 C’s” can help you create those lasting memories.

School Safety – Grant Assistance

The Greenlights Grant Initiative is a vital resource for overworked administrators in small school districts. Created by actor Matthew McConaughey after the tragic school shooting in Uvalde, Texas, this unique initiative helps small schools access the billions of dollars in federal funding earmarked for school security and child well-being.

According to McConaughey, “The superintendents and principals in many of these schools that are high-risk, they are wearing three or four hats. They’re the superintendent, they’re the P.E. teacher, they’re the bus driver. They don’t have the time or the resources to fill out these grants. It’s intimidating!”

That’s where Greenlights comes in. The initiative is designed to help under-resourced districts navigate the complicated (and often confusing) grant application process, provides grant writers for assistance, and advocates for long-term improvements to federal grant-making.

Key Questions for Effective Leadership

According to a recent article by Fred Ente (director of curriculum for a large school district in New York), effective leadership thrives by asking the right questions daily — focusing on supporting the goals of others, understanding their thoughts, and exploring recent surprises. These three questions can foster deeper connections and drive meaningful progress within your team.

And while these obviously aren’t the only questions leaders can ask, they can be foundational in helping your team focus in on their specific needs and experiences. That’s always an important step that leaders can take to increase communication and help their systems improve.