Whether it is professionally or personally, making an investment in yourself is beneficial. Practicing self-care, taking advantage of professional development, furthering your education or finding your passions are just a few ways one can invest in self. Here are 21 ways in 2021 to invest in yourself as CU faculty and staff.听
听Form connections through storytelling.听
Everyone loves a good story. Since the advent of communication, humans have compulsively weaved stories as a method to pass on wisdom, share laughter, inspire, and bring people together. In this time of social distancing, many of us are unfortunately experiencing social isolation. Help combat those feelings of isolation through one of the most original means of connection in the .听Workshops are held via Zoom on the third Thursday of the month from 12:00 -1:00 p.m. There is no cost to attend and it intended for any CU Boulder staff or faculty member who wishes to expand their creativity and connections with others using storytelling.听
听Broaden your perspective through language learning.听
The Anderson听Language and Technology Center鈥檚 (ALTEC) spring 鈥媙on-credit鈥� language classes run 鈥婩ebruary 1 through April 8鈥�, and meet twice a week for remote, live learning.听 Choose from 鈥婣merican Sign Language鈥�, 鈥婩rench鈥�, 鈥婫erman鈥�, 鈥婭talian鈥�, 鈥婮apanese鈥� and 鈥婼panish鈥�. Current CU affiliates receive a deep听 discount and pay just $150.听Classes fill up quickly鈥� today. Visit them online鈥� to learn more and discover the 鈥�. Plus, enter to 鈥�
听Revisit听Employee Learning Week.
Employee Learning Week is an annual, global celebration of life-long learning in organizations. CU Boulder Human Resources is offering a free week of professional development opportunities in December for all CU Boulder employees.听Did you miss the 2020 Employee Learning Week?听Session recordings and materials are available on the Employee Learning Week website. Topic categories include developing a growth mindset, cultivating resilience and growing through transition and change.听
听Set the tone for your day with yoga.听
Yoga for Clarity and Calm sets the tone for the day with an inward journey into poses designed to soothe the nervous system, awaken ourselves physically and mentally, ease anxiety and relieve tension. Here there is no perfect pose, instead we adapt the pose in a way that does not excite the nervous system, allowing the natural healing power within to be awakened.听Beginning Jan. 2021, Thursday Mornings from 9:00 to 10:00 am via Zoom. Email Susanna.Drogsvold@colorado.edu听to attend.听
听If you participate in a CU Health Plan, check out .听 Download the Move. app on your smartphone or tablet, if you like add your device (e.g., Fitbit) and earn $25 a month for logging at least 30 minutes of exercise, 12 days a month.
听Catch up on current affairs.听
CU Boulder affiliates with an IdentiKey have access to digital publications such as the , the , the and more. 麻豆淫院, faculty and staff can also access the and the through library databases.听Learn how to access news resources.
听Say shipshape supervisor five times fast.听
Solid supervision skills can help alleviate the stressors that many supervisors face. Take some time to build and stretch those skills this year. CU Boulder HR offers a variety of development opportunities for supervisors. A few recommended courses for supervisors include:
Visit the Employee Learning Page to learn more.听
听Cultivate Healthy Relationships
Cultivating and Maintaining Healthy Relationships Workshop
Relationships may have changed and shifted in the past year with a global pandemic. Join the Faculty & Staff Assistance Program on Feb. 10 to听learn quick techniques to stay in healthy relationships with those around us, and with ourselves. .听
Weathering the Emotional Storm
Join the Ombuds Office on Feb. 23 for Weathering the Emotional Storm of Colleagues, Co-workers or Classmates During Turbulent Times. Discuss how to help a colleague, co-worker or classmate through a hard time. Explore the benefits of having compassion for others and providing support without feeling depleted and emotionally drained.听.
We also recommend joining the Ombuds Office on Mar. 30 for What鈥檚 in a Question? How we ask questions is the key to unlocking information, disarming defensiveness, and interrupting the power struggle. Learn to ask non-defensive questions that prompt others to drop their defenses and improve your communications.听
听Get involved in shared governance.听
The Boulder Faculty Assembly is the representative body of the faculty in the shared governance of the CU-Boulder campus. A guiding principle of that shared governance, recognized by the Board of 麻豆淫院, is that the faculty and the administration shall collaborate in major decisions affecting the welfare of the University. Learn more about the Boulder Faculty Assembly.
CU Boulder's Staff Council is a team of elected members from across the campus who represent the interests of campus staff. This is done by advocating on a variety of issues, proposing policies, serving in an advisory role to administration, and facilitating a variety of events to bring collaborative opportunities to the campus. Learn how to get involved with the Staff Council.听
听Get a good night鈥檚 sleep.听
Sleepio is an online sleep improvement program that teaches you how to fall asleep faster, stay asleep during the night and feel better during the day. During the online sessions you鈥檒l learn how to establish a healthy sleep pattern through science-based cognitive and behavioral techniques. Employees and dependents 18+ enrolled in any CU Health Plan administered by Anthem/CVS are eligible for Sleepio.听
听Eat well.
Eating well is fundamental to good health and well-being. Attend work-life workshops sponsored by the Faculty and Staff Assistance Program in partnership with Elevations Credit Union. Spring workshops include Meal Planning in the Modern World and Nutrition for Heart Health. If you are a CU Health Plan member, you also have access to programs such as (Foodsmart)听and that focus on healthy eating and lifestyles.听
听Follow the breadcrumbs...from your sofa.听
The Eklund Opera Program brings the Brothers Grimm to the Music Theatre with Humperdinck's decadent opera "Hansel and Gretel." Indulge your imagination as you join two children venturing into the woods in search of something sweet to eat. With deliciously rich orchestration, simmering wit, and a sumptuous witch hiding out in a candy-coated cottage, this famous fairy tale is delightful at any age.听
This is a pay-what-you-can performance. Whether it's $5 or $100, your support will help the work of the College of Music continue to thrive. Please pay what you can before or after enjoying this special presentation. through Monday, February 15, 11 p.m. MST right on .
听Dedicate time to your emotional and psychological needs.听
The Faculty and Staff Assistance Program is dedicated to serving the emotional and psychological needs of the campus community. All FSAP staff are trained as generalist counselors and are equipped to deal with a wide range of personal and work related issues. Faculty and staff receive 1 intake session and 6 additional counseling sessions free.
Learn more about FSAP services and scheduling.
听Build compassionate and inclusive leadership skills.听
Becoming an Inclusive Leader Series
The Becoming an Inclusive Leader series hosted by CU Boulder HR provides supervisors, managers, and leaders with the knowledge and skills to lead their teams to be more inclusive and equitable, as well as the ability to create a sense of belonging among team members. This six-week series begins again on Mar.听17.听听
is a unique offering of 100+ Coursera courses taught by faculty across all CU campuses. These courses are available at no cost to all faculty and staff. Leadership courses we recommend:听
听Take that class you have always wanted to.听
Eligible employees can receive a waiver for up to a total of 9 credit hours of tuition per year or dependents of CU Boulder employees can receive a discount of 30 percent off of tuition (student share if the dependent is a Colorado resident undergraduate).听.
听Ride a bike around Boulder.听
B-cycle bike sharing provides an opportunity for convenient and eco-friendly transportation around Boulder.听 There are 300 bikes at 40 stations around Boulder and 13 stations serving the CU Boulder campus. All full time students, faculty and staff are now eligible for a free Boulder B-cycle annual membership, providing unlimited rides of up to 60 minutes. Learn how to claim your free B-cycle membership.听
听Enhance your classroom experience.听
The Center for Teaching & Learning supports CU鈥檚 community of educators through teaching consultations, seminars, reading groups, and additional services. Attend virtual seminars on topics such as , , , and more.听
听Connect with a career counselor.听
The Staff Career Development Program in the Department of Human Resources exists for all staff employed on the Boulder campus, and provides both individual advising and group career development on topics ranging from career exploration to job search strategies. Schedule time to meet with a staff career counselor or view the career development video series. Explore topics such as , , and more.听
听Go to the museum in your pajamas!
The CU Museum of Natural History is offering a wide range of exhibits and educational materials for students, families, and community members鈥攐nline accessible every day and always free! Learn more on the Museum From Home webpage.
The CU Art Museum offers Feel Good Fridays virtually through Spring 2021. Join these weekly workshops to learn about a work of art and then participate in a related mindfulness practice. The powerful, guided meditation can undo stress, soothe the nervous system, and help you feel relaxed and revitalized. Meditations are open to students, faculty, staff, and the public. All are welcome and there is no need for past experience with meditation. Register for Feel Good Fridays.听
Create Space for thinking and feeling
SilverCloud offers secure, immediate access to online CBT (cognitive behavioral therapy) programs, tailored to your specific needs. It offers three programs: Space from Anxiety, Space from Depression and Space from Stress.听It鈥檚听flexible听鈥� access it anywhere, on your computer, tablet or mobile phone.听It's听easy to use听- interactive tools and activities make your experience interesting and motivational. It is free to all CU Boulder students, faculty and staff. 听
听Read it and reap!
Read thought-provoking books and network with CU Boulder alumni, faculty and staff through the hosted by Leeds School of Business. Books are selected by group vote with topics covering lifelong learning, career enhancement, communication skills and leadership cultivation. Inclusive discussions take place virtually and are professionally moderated by posing inspiring questions as well as sharing of relevant articles. There is no cost to join and a new book is started every 2 months. Find out more details and
听Whisper sweet nothings...to yourself.听
Health & Wellness Services put together How to use positive affirmations to get through finals (and the rest of 2020). Finals and 2020 are finally in the past, but there is never a wrong time to show yourself kindness. Practicing positive affirmations can be a great way to change your perspective and outlook, especially during times of high stress.听