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PROLOGUE
Surviving November (and December, and January)
We need to talk about November.
You're about to enter the most brutal stretch of the school marketing calendar.
Admission season is ramping up. Holiday content is due. Year-end giving campaigns need to launch. The annual report is "almost ready" (it's not). And everyone wants something for the winter open house.
Unlike other industries where December means slowing down, schools accelerate. Because families are making decisions and donors are giving.
So here's what I'm not going to tell you: "Practice self-care!" or "Remember your why!"
Instead, here are two tactics that actually work:
1. Batch One Day Per Week
Pick one day (I used Thursday) and batch all your December content creation in November. Social posts, email drafts, graphics—everything you can possibly pre-build.
Yes, things will change. You'll still need to adjust. But having 70% done beats starting from zero when you're drowning.
2. Create Your "After January 5th" List
Every time someone asks for something non-urgent, write it down and say: "Adding this to our January priorities list."
Not "no." Not "maybe." Just: "January."
This gives you permission to punt without feeling guilty. And honestly? Half of those requests will disappear by then anyway.
That's it.
November through January won't be easy. But you can make it slightly less terrible.
You're going to get through this. You always do.
Thanks,
Brendan
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