Fostering Deep Work in a Distracted World

Program Summary

One of the most common challenges in the workplace today is staying focused on the work at hand when constantly interrupted.  It is all too easy to get to the end of the day and feel like we’ve worked hard, feel spent, but accomplished nothing of meaning. 

The importance of focus has never been greater or seemingly harder to achieve. The technology we enjoy allows us unprecedented productivity through easy access to information, ideas, and individuals. But this steady and abundant input from multiple devices, programs, apps, and social media connections all turn into a fog of distraction. Add to this people reintegrating into in-person activities and the many personal, family, and social commitments we have. It is easy to feel stressed and overwhelmed, driving us to work harder and longer yet never feeling like we are doing enough.

Having the skills to manage our distractibility and feel productive on what matters most are essential skills in the world today. Join us for this engaging and practical session that will give us the tools to help “create” more time in our day, complete more productive work, and have greater end-of-day satisfaction and joy.

What You Will Learn

• Why deep, focused work is so important for busy professionals today
• Why it is so hard to focus these days and the neuroscience behind what limits or challenges our ability to perform deep work
• How to train the skill to focus longer and with greater concentration
• How to create more productive focus blocks and deep work in our day
• Creative problem-solving ideas for tricky schedules
• How to create the habits you need to maintain focus after the session
• What those in leadership roles can do to help promote deep work

Audience 

This session is open to all AAPS members. Not sure if this session is right for you? Please email aaps.pd@ubc.ca. 

How You Will Learn (online):

• Zoom meeting platform
• Breakout room discussions
• Large discussions
• Third-party engagement tools
• Slides and theory bursts
• Self-reflection
• Please note this is a participatory session, if you do not wish to participate, please sign up for the recorded version instead

Participant Expectations

If you are participating in the live Zoom session please:

• Use audio and video throughout the session
• Participate in the breakout rooms and group discussions
• Communicate technical and participation issues to Sarah through DM or email
• Let us know your accessibility requirement in advance by emailing aaps.pd@ubc.ca 
• Practice patience, inclusivity, and confidentiality with what you are sharing and what is shared in the session
• Be open to considering and trying the practices and processes during the session
• The live Zoom session will not be recorded

About This Series

The AAPS PD Program welcomes back mindfulness facilitator Scott Orth for a four-part series. In this series we will explore different philosophies, contemporary research, and specific mindfulness tools and their applications to different facets of our work. In each session, there will also be time to discuss, experiment, and practice. Perhaps you are wanting to learn more about applying mindfulness to a specific topic, or maybe you would like some accountability and regular check-ins with your ongoing mindfulness practices. You are invited to join us monthly during October, November, December, and January. Topics covered in the series will include managing your energy, creating more time for deep work, presenting mindfully and confidently, and working better together.

About Your Facilitator

Scott Orth is a mindfulness coach and trainer, who gives busy professionals the tools they need to delete the overwhelm, focus on what matters most, and create the life they want.  He gives them strategies to respond to the challenges in their day more mindfully, allowing them to be more focused, productive, and happier.  He uses these tools every day in his own life and brings a practical, no-nonsense approach to it all. Scott is happily married to Meghan and is an engaged father of a 16-yr old son (Noah) and 14-year-old daughter (Kayla).  He is a constant reader, avid mountain biker, passionate espresso maker, and lover of craft-brewed IPAs.

About Your Host

AAPS is your professional association and labour relations organization. Along with our work negotiating your workplace terms and conditions and supporting you individually with employment contract-related questions and issues, we also aim to provide AAPS membership with educational opportunities through the AAPS Professional Development Program. 

The program is designed to give members a chance to connect with colleagues from different departments, units, and locations, share experiences, and support one another. The program also gives time and space to consider the evolution of the workplace and adapt to changing work environments and career needs. We have a strong focus on self-leadership and host topics in areas such as management and leadership, interpersonal skills, workplace skills, personal development, advocacy, and organized labour. We use a mixture of in-person, live online, and asynchronous learning structures.

The AAPS PD Program is staffed by AAPS Member Services Officer for Professional Development, Sarah Muff. Sarah oversees the design, delivery, and administration of the program, as well as being the onsite program manager. She works in consultation with external facilitators, colleagues, and the AAPS Board of Directors to develop and adapt relevant workplace content to meet the needs of AAPS members.

Questions about this session, the program, or suggestions for future topics and facilitators? Please email aaps.pd@ubc.ca. 

Registration

Please ensure you are available to attend the full session and actively participate prior to registering for the live Zoom session. Late arrivals and early exits are, in fact, quite noticeable. We will open registration after October 30.

Live Zoom: Fostering Deep Work in a Distracted World: Thursday November 7, 2024 from 10am-11:30am

Recording: Fostering Deep Work in a Distracted World (available after November 8)