Mindful Academy

Episode 4 of the Mindful Action Pyramid Planning Challenge focuses on goal setting. Rather than traditional SMART goals, the episode introduces "PACT" goals: Purposeful, Actionable, Continuous, and Trackable.  The emphasis is on creating goals aligned with personal values and long-term objectives, focusing on consistent actions rather than immediate outcomes.  The episode encourages list...

In this episode of the Mindful Academic Podcast, I guide listeners through the third phase of the Mindful Action Pyramid: identifying priority outcomes.  This step involves creating a brain dump of all current projects and commitments and then selecting the major goals to focus on over the next one to two years. I emphasize the importance of setting boundaries and saying no to non-essential tasks...

In this podcast episode, I guide listeners through the second step of the Mindful Action Planning (MAP) Pyramid Challenge, which focuses on defining personal success.  I emphasize the importance of aligning career goals with personal values and purpose, rather than simply checking off achievements. I encourage listeners to consider the emotional hallmarks of success and to frame their success in a...

In this introduction to the Mindful Action Planning Challenge, I guide participants through the foundational step of identifying their values and crafting a statement of purpose.  I emphasize the importance of understanding one's values for mindful decision-making and planning. I also encourage reflection on moments of alignment and offer tools, such as Brene Brown's list of values, to h...

In this kickoff episode of the Mindful Action Planning (MAP) Challenge podcast, I introduce the Mindful Action Planning Pyramid, a tool designed to help academic professionals align their career goals with their values.  The pyramid consists of four horizontal slices—tasks, goals, outcomes, and success—built on a foundation of personal values. I emphasize the importance of shifting from a reactive...

In this podcast episode, I explore three predominant mental models that faculty members often have about their roles within academia.  The first model is the "freelance independent contractor" mindset, where faculty members see themselves as autonomous professionals who primarily set their own goals and priorities. They may view their relationship with the institution as transactional, v...

In this episode of "Two Kinds of Coaching," I explore the essentials of coaching, particularly in an academic context, and distinguish between individual and group coaching. Emphasizing the transformative power of coaching, I explain how both individual and team coaching can help individuals and groups align their work with their values and goals, enhance fulfillment, and navigate high-p...

In this episode of “The Mindful Academy,” I delve into the significance and personal impact of mindfulness and meditation. Highlighting mindfulness as a crucial tool for personal and client coaching, I share insights into the transformative power of stepping out of automatic, knee-jerk reactions and into a space of creativity and intention. Meditation and mindfulness are portrayed not just as prac...

Successful academics know that they can’t do it all – or at least not all at once.  So a key step in getting a grip on your overwhelm is to decide what success looks & feels like for you.  The answer to the question: what does success look like for me is NOT, however, a list of check-offable goals. A book, an R1 grant, this much $$, this many citations, this many articles, etc. NOPE.  I will f...

The Mindful Academy - Episode 3.9 Highlights Overcoming Faculty Overwhelm: A Deeper Dive Greetings, Mindful Community! In the newest episode (3.9) of the Mindful Academy, I talked about the intricacies of faculty overwhelm. Last episode(3.8), I identified four faculty frustrations, and today, I’m tackling the beast of overwhelm. Check-in with Your Emotions Feeling overwhelmed is common, but how do...

🔍The Mindful Academy Episode 3.8 Highlights: "Four Flavours of Faculty Frustration" 📚 1. Overwhelm at Work: The aftermath of the pandemic has left academic workplaces in overdrive, with workload spikes persisting. Whether it's adapting to changes or working at cross-purposes with colleagues, overwhelm is a common thread. If you're feeling this, consider where the pressures ar...

How can you ensure long-term career success while maintaining personal satisfaction? In this episode of The Mindful Academy, our academic coach, Jennifer Askey, dives deep into the emotional journey of transitioning out of academia. She empathizes with individuals experiencing uncertainty and disorientation, recognizing the various practical and intellectual considerations that come into play. She...

How can you ensure long-term career success while maintaining personal satisfaction? In this episode of The Mindful Academy, our academic coach, Jennifer, shares some invaluable insights and strategies to futureproof your career. Regardless of the current status of your industry, it's essential to take control of your professional path and adopt a proactive mindset. By prioritizing learning a...

Are you constantly under pressure, trying to balance long-term career success and personal satisfaction? In this episode of The Mindful Academy, our academic coach, Jennifer, underscores the significance of safeguarding your career for the future. She stresses the importance of adopting a mindset where you are the architect of your professional path, irrespective of your profession's current...

Are you constantly overwhelmed and swamped with work, struggling to balance career success and personal fulfillment? In today's episode of The Mindful Academy, our host, Jennifer Askey, emphasizes the importance of commitment to our work and how it can combat overwhelming and busy feelings. Jennifer encourages listeners to identify what is truly important to them, focus on a limited number of...

Have you ever felt trapped in the cycle of busyness in academia, only to find yourself feeling unfulfilled? In today's episode of The Mindful Academy, our host Jennifer Askey explores the concept of busyness and feeling unfulfilled in academia. She offers practical ways to prioritize your work and manage your time better. She also emphasizes the importance of defining success for yourself and...

How can developing a deep sense of physical self-awareness and practicing proactive decision-making empower individuals to overcome the fear of missing out and make deliberate choices? In today's episode of The Mindful Academy, our host Jennifer Askey talks about the challenges of impulse control and fear of missing out and how they can affect our ability to say no to unhealthy temptations. S...

Do you ever feel like you have to do everything perfectly? In today's episode of The Mindful Academy, our host Jennifer Askey explores the concept of being a completionist. She shares three stories from her coaching practice where clients struggle to achieve perfection and overachieve. She encourages listeners to find a middle ground and not succumb to the pressure of always going above and b...

Are women carrying the weight of academia's progress on their shoulders? In today's episode of The Mindful Academy, our host Jennifer Askey discusses the hidden challenges women face in higher education. With a remarkable surge in female undergraduates, the academy is more feminized. Yet, despite this shift, women still struggle to attain leadership positions. Discover the reasons behind...

Are you tired of being told to 'lean in' and seeing little progress in your academic leadership journey? In today's episode of The Mindful Academy, our host Jennifer Askey discusses the strategies and core values that will help you overcome the unique challenges female associate professors face - how to balance business demands and people's needs, cultivate emotional and social...

How can people in academia overcome challenges and advance to the total professor rank when transitioning from tenure to high-level service positions and leadership roles? In today's episode of The Mindful Academy, our host Jennifer Askey discusses the challenges of being a department chair in higher education, particularly for women in leadership roles. In addition, she provides insights int...

How can growth outside of our comfort zone help us become more creative and innovative in our work? In today's episode of The Mindful Academy, our host Jennifer Askey discusses overcoming imposter syndrome by believing in our growth potential and being open to learning, taking risks, and accepting failure. So how do we give ourselves a chance to grow, learn, and become more creative and innov...

How can we learn to trust ourselves and overcome the fear of failure or imposter syndrome to create something meaningful? In today's episode of The Mindful Academy, our host Jennifer Askey discusses how reusing and repackaging our excellent work can combat imposter syndrome and shares the powerful question we can ask ourselves to reignite our excitement and creativity. Ready to get over the f...

Do you ever feel like you don't deserve the success you've achieved in your career or that you're just lucky to be where you are? In today's episode of The Mindful Academy, our host Jennifer Askey discusses the imposter phenomenon, also commonly known as Imposter Syndrome, which reflects feelings of having achieved successful positions due to sheer luck or some oversight on the...

Are you an unnecessarily miserable academic? In today's episode of The Mindful Academy, our host Jennifer Askey examines the causes of misery among academics, recognizing our strengths and weaknesses and managing them accordingly. Ready to figure out how to identify the signs that you may be creating more misery in your job than necessary? Class is in session - grab your seat, take out the no...