Time Management for Postdocs – How to Increase Your Productivity, Stay Healthy, and Accomplish Your Projects Successfully

Target group

Early and advanced postdoctoral researchers of all disciplines

Technical Requirements

We will use Zoom. Please participate in a quiet place. You will need a PC/laptop with a video camera, a microphone, a headset/speakers, and a stable internet connection > 1,5 Mbit/s up-/downstream.

Content

We will discuss the following fundamental techniques to improve your time- and self-management during your research projects:

• Setting smart goals
• Making decisions and developing initiatives
• Gaining and re-gaining motivation along the journey
• Developing strategies for an efficient and effective use of time
• Planning time, including your master plan (long-term) but also weekly and daily planning (short-term)
• Handling different roles and multiple projects
• Setting priorities (Eisenhower method, Pareto principle)
• Finding your balance: research projects – job – private life
• Getting rid of time-killers
• Using high concentration techniques (silent hour, Pomodoro technique)
• Controlling your inner state through relaxation techniques

Objectives

• You know how to plan on three timely horizons – long, intermediate, short term
• You are able to analyze and improve your use of time applying the Eisenhower matrix
• You know how to apply specific relaxation techniques to prevent and deal with stress
• You are able to apply specific techniques for high concentration phases
• You have a chance to re-think your current behavior

Methods

Trainer input; individual, partner, and group work in virtual small group rooms; relaxation exercises; exchange with other participants; group reflection.