Work Hard – Play Hard? Work-Life Balance Methods that Really Work (For Researchers)

Target group

This workshop addresses postdoctoral researchers of all faculties.

Content

One of the biggest challenges of our time are the inner conflict and the ever-growing demands that you have to meet as a scientist and knowledge-worker in the daily interaction between the following different life spans: expectations at work, goals for a high-profile career, the continuous improvement of your skills, the acquisition of yet another skill, quality time with your family, and last but not least, having a social life and even hobbies!

How can you achieve a healthy balance in the various domains of your life without a loss of quality? What theoretical and practical approaches do experts recommend in order for you to find the energy and time you need for the things that really matter?
This workshop intends to give you practical strategies and tactics to work hard and be fulfilled at the same time.

Key aspects

Our working premise is that the ambitious goal of balancing work and private life is different for every person, depending on the working style, personality, psychological needs you want to meet, family constellation, and so on.

Therefore, we will analyse your personal starting point, your balance goal, and the missing pieces between where you are and where you want to be. We will set up a realistic plan and we will ask you to try out your new way of working and living. After two weeks, we have the possibility to discuss what worked well and what we can do better.

Intended results of the workshop

After taking part in this workshop, you will be able to:

• identify your most important life domains which need most of your focus and start new projects in these domains
• come up with a plan and follow it, which brings you from where you are to where you want to be
• identify activities that give you or rob you off your energy
• have clarity about your most important needs and what you need to do or not to do in order to meet them
• set up new rituals and habits to reach your new project goals
• connect to a coach, who will help you reach your weekly goals and the balance you search for

Methods

Theoretical input, discussions, exercises.

Requirements

None.