Episode Details

For 33 years, I did the same thing almost every day. I came home from school and immediately started venting to my wife about my day as a private school leader.

I am ashamed to say, it wasn’t until after I retired, that I stopped to think about how doing that every day made my wife feel. All those years of me venting and complaining and all those years of her listening and trying to make me feel better. 

Recently, I asked my wife, “What impact did all of that have on you?” Here’s what she said”

• “Most of the time, it was really hard.”
• “Usually, I absorbed your stress.”
• “I was frustrated because I couldn’t fix it.”
• “It felt like your day was more important than my day.”

I would like to say that this conversation was a “wake-up call” for me, but it really wasn’t. That’s  because I recently retired and now I’m usually not stressed out at the end of a day of coaching clients or recording podcast episodes.

I’m not saying that this is what you are doing every day. I am saying that it is something that we need to talk about. On today’s episode of The Private School Leader Podcast, we are going to answer the question: Does Your Spouse/Partner/Best Friend Have "Listening Fatigue?”

Thank you for taking me along with you when you are walking the dog, driving to school or running errands. I appreciate you and what you are doing for the lucky kids and teachers at your school. Thanks so much for listening and thanks for making a difference!

Mark Minkus

I am super excited about a brand new resource that I want to share with you for FREE! It is a 45 minute Masterclass called: “Winning At School Without Losing At Home”. This is a video webinar training complete with guided notes and it will do exactly what the title says. This training will help you to be successful, organized and energized at school while still taking good care of yourself AND your family! Does that sound too good to be true? Go to theprivateschoolleader.com/winning to grab your free Masterclass training Winning At School Without Losing At Home”.

Are any of these statements true about you?

• The "tyranny of the urgent" controls my day, and I start working on my important tasks when the school gets quiet.
• I feel discouraged, lonely, exhausted and stressed out. I'm not sure that my job is sustainable.
• My school invades every part of my professional and personal life.
• I want to have a long and happy and fulfilling career as a private school leader.
• I feel called to do this work, but I am not sure how long I can keep doing it if nothing changes.

I have felt that way many times during my career. That’s why I created the PSL Pro Membership

PSL Pro is a membership community that helps Private School Leaders go from feeling stressed out, discouraged and lonely to feeling energized, fulfilled and supported.