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.
Form connections through storytelling.
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 Jester and the Sage: Forming Connections Through Storytelling workshop. 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.
Broaden your perspective through language learning.
The Anderson Language and Technology Center’s (ALTEC) spring non-credit language classes run February 1 through April 8, and meet twice a week for remote, live learning. Choose from American Sign Language, French, German, Italian, Japanese and Spanish. Current CU affiliates receive a deep discount and pay just $150. Classes fill up quickly—Enroll today. Visit them online to learn more and discover the ALTEC advantage. Plus, enter to win a free class!
Revisit 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. Did you miss the 2020 Employee Learning Week? 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.
Set the tone for your day with yoga.
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. Beginning Jan. 2021, Thursday Mornings from 9:00 to 10:00 am via Zoom. Email Susanna.Drogsvold@colorado.edu to attend.
If you participate in a CU Health Plan, check out Move. 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.
Catch up on current affairs.
CU Boulder affiliates with an IdentiKey have access to digital publications such as the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, the Washington Post and more. Students, faculty and staff can also access the Denver Post and the Boulder Daily Camera through library databases. Learn how to access news resources.
Say shipshape supervisor five times fast.
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.
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 learn quick techniques to stay in healthy relationships with those around us, and with ourselves. Register to attend Cultivating and Maintaining Healthy Relationships.
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. Register for Weathering the Emotional Storm.
We also recommend joining the Ombuds Office on Mar. 30 for What’s 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. Register for What’s in a Question?
Get involved in shared governance.
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 Regents of the University of Colorado, 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.
Get a good night’s sleep.
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’ll 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. Learn more about Sleepio.
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 Zipango (Foodsmart) and Omada that focus on healthy eating and lifestyles.
Follow the breadcrumbs...from your sofa.
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.
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. Performances stream through Monday, February 15, 11 p.m. MST right on cupresents.org.
Dedicate time to your emotional and psychological needs.
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.
Build compassionate and inclusive leadership skills.
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. 17. Register for Becoming an Inclusive Leader
CU on Coursera 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:
Take that class you have always wanted to.
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). Learn more about the Tuition Waiver Benefit.
Ride a bike around Boulder.
B-cycle bike sharing provides an opportunity for convenient and eco-friendly transportation around Boulder. 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.
Enhance your classroom experience.
The Center for Teaching & Learning supports CU’s community of educators through teaching consultations, seminars, reading groups, and additional services. Attend virtual seminars on topics such as Teaching with Canvas, Addressing Student Mental Health, Recognizing and Mitigating Unconscious Bias, Fostering Student Engagement in Remote and Online Classes and more.
Connect with a career counselor.
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 Networking More Naturally, Remarkable Resumes, Star-Studded Interviewing and more.
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—online 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.
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. It’s flexible – access it anywhere, on your computer, tablet or mobile phone. It's easy to use - interactive tools and activities make your experience interesting and motivational. It is free to all CU Boulder students, faculty and staff. Get started with SilverCloud Health.
Read it and reap!
Read thought-provoking books and network with CU Boulder alumni, faculty and staff through the CU Boulder Alumni Book Club 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 join the club!
Whisper sweet nothings...to yourself.
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.