Day One
Reflect | Surviving and thriving post-lockdown
June 30 – 14:00 to 14:45pm
Sarah Wolfenden
Brunel University London
About this session
After what has been a tumultuous 18 months so far due to a global-wide pandemic, there is now a focus on getting ‘back to normal’.
Yet many of us are fatigued and overwhelmed after struggling and juggling throughout. While there is much to be grateful for and hopeful about (by now a large proportion of the population has been vaccinated and summer is on its way), it is okay to be cautious about returning to something which was not necessarily that great to begin with.
Making time and space to reflect or pause is crucial for our growth and for our health. By acknowledging the structures beyond our control while also recognising what is in our power, we can continue to develop, be healthy and serve those who rely on us.
In this session, Sarah will share her own experiences of resilience and what did (and didn’t) work, as well as some coaching techniques on how to work with what we can.
The days of having separate work and home personalities are over and people will increasingly be bringing their whole selves to work. Emotional intelligence, kindness and compassion will be paramount to look after ourselves as well as those around us.
About Sarah
Sarah Wolfenden is a Senior Lecturer in Academic Professional Development, an ILM qualified performance coach, a Senior Fellow of Advance HE and a chartered information professional with sixteen years’ experience teaching and supporting learning in the UK further and higher education sector. She coaches, teaches and trains academics and information professionals to achieve their workplace and personal goals by reflecting upon and developing their practices. She also teaches English undergraduates information literacy using coaching techniques.