One of the most important things a principal can do is have a clear vision for his or her school. The North Central Regional Educational Laboratory (2008) identified a "clear, strong and collectively held vision" as one of the six essential components of an effective school. Beyond a general vision for their schools, it is important that principals and their teachers have a shared vision for more-rigorous schools and classrooms. In this article, the authors suggest that having a vision and revisiting it regularly helps principals and their faculty members focus on what is important and balance competing demands for their time and energy.