The former principal of Hahnville High School in the St. Charles Parish Public School System, Dr. Brian Lumar has over two decades of experience as a teacher, coach, and assistant principal. Since 2021, Dr. Brian Lumar has served as the director and supervisor of A1 Absolute Best Care, a provider agency located in Gretna, Louisiana.
Dr. Lumar started teaching and coaching in 1996 at Archbishop Shaw High School in Marrero, Louisiana. For five years, he taught fundamentals of literature and speech to students in grades 9 through 12. Further, he served as an assistant coach for the varsity basketball team and as the head coach for the junior varsity team. In 2001, he began teaching English and literature at Hahnville High School, where he served as the assistant principal from 2011 to 2017 and as principal thereafter.
Drawing on his extensive experience in supervision, leadership, management, and instructional practices, Dr. Lumar now oversees the development of educational plans. He supervises facilitators, personal care assistants, and administrative staff at A1 Absolute Best Care. Away from work, he volunteers for Special Olympics, United Way, and Locks for Love.
What is your typical day, and how do you make it productive?
A typical day for me starts with getting ready and trying to set a positive tone for the day. I like to plan out what I need to get done, even if it’s just a short list on my phone. I usually have work during the day, and I try to stay focused by breaking my tasks into smaller chunks so they don’t feel overwhelming. What helps me stay productive is balancing things out. If I get my main priorities done early, I feel less stressed and have more time for myself later. I’ve learned that I’m more productive when I don’t try to do too much at once, so I focus on doing a few things well instead of everything at once.
How do you bring ideas to life?
I usually start by thinking it through and picturing what it could look like in real life. I like to jot down notes or make a quick plan so I don’t lose track of my thoughts. From there, I break it into smaller steps—that makes it feel less overwhelming and helps me actually start instead of overthinking. I also like to get feedback or talk it out with someone I trust, because sometimes hearing another perspective helps me see things more clearly. For me, bringing ideas to life is about staying curious, organized, and willing to adjust things as I go.
What’s one trend that excites you?
How people are becoming more focused on mental health and self-care. I think it’s great that more people are talking openly about how they feel, setting boundaries, and finding healthy ways to deal with stress. It’s something that feels really positive and necessary, especially with how fast-paced life can be.
What is one habit that helps you be productive?
One habit is making a simple to-do list at the start of the day. I don’t try to plan everything perfectly; I just write down the most important things I want to get done. It helps me stay focused and gives me a sense of accomplishment as I check things off. Even on days when I don’t finish everything, having the list keeps me organized and reminds me what matters most. Over time, this habit has helped me stay consistent and make progress, even when life gets busy.
What advice would you give your younger self?
I’d tell myself not to worry so much about making mistakes. I’d remind myself that it’s okay to try new things, even if they don’t always work out, because that’s how you learn and grow. I’d also tell myself to trust my instincts more and not be afraid to ask for help when I need it. Looking back, I realize that being patient with myself and taking things one step at a time would have made a big difference.
Tell us something you believe that almost nobody agrees with you on.
That sometimes doing less can actually be more productive. A lot of people feel like they need to be busy all the time to get things done, but I’ve found that slowing down, focusing on a few important things, and really thinking them through often leads to better results. It might seem a little counterintuitive, but for me, taking time to plan, reflect, and recharge helps me be more creative and effective in the long run.
What is the one thing you repeatedly do and recommend everyone else do?
To take a few minutes each day to reflect on what’s going well and what I’m grateful for. It’s easy to get caught up in stress or things that don’t go right, but pausing to notice the positives helps me stay motivated and calm.
When you feel overwhelmed or unfocused, what do you do?
I usually take a short break to step away from whatever I’m doing. Sometimes I go for a walk, listen to music, or just take a few deep breaths. It helps me clear my head and come back with a fresh perspective.
What is one strategy that has helped you grow your business or advance in your career?
Setting clear goals and breaking them into small, achievable steps. For example, if I am working on a project, I start by outlining what needs to be done, then set mini deadlines for each part. This not only makes the process less overwhelming but also helps me track progress and learn from each step. Over time, this habit has helped me improve my skills and stay consistent, which is key to growth.
What is one failure in your career, how did you overcome it, and what lessons did you take away from it?
One failure I experienced was not meeting a goal. At first, I felt frustrated and disappointed, but I realized that dwelling on it wouldn’t help me move forward. To overcome it, I reflected on what went wrong, asked for feedback, and made a concrete plan to improve. The biggest lesson I took away is that failure isn’t the end—it’s an opportunity to learn and grow. Now, I approach challenges with a mindset of problem-solving rather than fear, and I’m more confident in my ability to handle setbacks.
What is one business idea you’re willing to give away to our readers?
One business idea I would give away is a subscription service for local, personalized study or productivity kits. The idea is to create monthly boxes for students or remote workers that include items like motivational tools, stationary, snacks, planners, and small productivity challenges. Each box could be customized based on the subscriber’s goals, such as exam prep, creative projects, or building daily routines. The value comes from personalization and convenience—people get tools and inspiration delivered to their door, helping them stay organized and motivated without having to hunt for these items themselves.
What is one piece of software that helps you be productive? How do you use it?
Google Calendar. I use it to organize my tasks, keep track of deadlines, and plan out my day. For example, I break down big projects into smaller steps and assign deadlines for each step, which makes everything feel more manageable. I also use it to track recurring tasks and set reminders, so nothing falls through the cracks. Having everything in one place helps me stay focused and see my progress, which motivates me to keep going.
What is the best $100 you recently spent? What and why?
The best $100 I recently spent was a gym membership. I chose it because it gave me a real value, improving my energy and productivity or just making me happier being able to focus on a little self-care. Even though it wasn’t a huge amount, the impact it had on my life made it completely worth it.
Do you have a favorite book or podcast you’ve gotten a ton of value from and why?
I have gotten much value out of a book called Talent Is Not Enough. It offers practical advice, inspires creativity, teaches new skills, or shifts your perspective. It really stuck with me because it helped me stay motivated. I keep going back to it whenever I need a boost or some fresh ideas.
What’s a movie or series you recently enjoyed and why?
A movie that I enjoyed was Remember the Titans. I liked it because the story was inspiring, the characters were relatable, it made you think and certainly was very entertaining. A lot of life lessons were taught throughout the entire movie that gave me a new perspective on life.
Key learnings
- Self-awareness and reflection are important in personal and professional life.
- Planning and breaking things into smaller steps is a strategy that helps with staying productive.
- Embrace learning from mistakes and failures.
- Seek out tools and habits that enhance focus and well-being.