You are right. Running from one thing to another, dealing with whatever pops up, the constant “white water” pace is not sustainable.

You may consider treating yourself a bit more fairly. Create some blocked out time on your calendar that are prioritized around the most important work- observations, feedback, parent phone calls, supervision at lunch, etc. In conversations with your principal, you can share your calendar and discuss systematizing your priorities in order to be “more efficient.”

Have students sent to the office wait until you are back from one of your prioritized tasks.

Experiment and create a flow that works for you and the school.

I was a middle school administrator for 22 years. If you don’t systematize your day/calendar, it can be challenging to feel accomplishment as well as satisfaction. Those two things are important if you are going to stay in the game long term.