Become your own time manager

Academia Raetica

"Time is what keeps everything from happening at once." ― Ray Cummings (1922)

Time management involves effectively organizing both professional and personal tasks to meet deadlines, achieve results, and create impact—while maintaining focus on individual goals and interests. Developing time management skills in a scientific environment inherits unique challenges, as research is inherently exploratory and often unpredictable.

This interactive workshop provides an overview of essential time management strategies tailored for scientists. Participants will learn how to set priorities, structure their day, plan their week, and reflect on their personal habits and preferences. Additionally, the training will help identify major time wasters, offer practical techniques for handling disruptions, and provide strategies to overcome procrastination.

By participating in this workshop, researchers will develop valuable transferable skills that enhance their professional portfolio and contribute to their long-term success.

Format

The workshop is structured as a half-day event. Prior to the workshop, participants will be asked to complete a short survey on their expectations for the training, along with a brief self-assessment of their personal time management situation. This information will serve as the foundation for designing the workshop, selecting topics, and tailoring exercises. Participants will receive a short summary of the survey results before the training begins.

During the workshop, the trainer will provide a theoretical introduction to the topic, followed by self-reflection exercises and group discussions.

All course materials will be distributed as PDF files before and during the workshop.

Objectives

Participants who complete this comprehensive workshop will understand the key principles of time management, learn how to effectively plan tasks, and structure their day and week efficiently.

Keys to time management

• Reflect on your motivation

• Define your interests and goals

• Set your priorities

Plan your tasks

• Identify your personal performance curve

• Reflect on disturbances – your time thieves

• Develop a daily and weekly plan

Design your day

• How to say “no”

• From stress to flow

• How to overcome procrastination

About the Trainer

Michael Bründl holds a PhD from ETH Zurich in natural sciences and is currently a scientific programme leader at the WSL Institute for Snow and Avalanche Research SLF in Davos. He has been a scientific project leader and has supervised numerous PhD, Master and Bachelor students for over 25 years. In addition to his scientific work on risk management of natural hazards, he continues his training in self-management, systemic structural constellations according to SySt ®, facilitation, imaginary body journeys and resilience. He has been a certified business and private coach since 2018 and completed his one-year further training in organisational development at the Trigon Academy in 2023. Michael has many years of experience as a trainer for time management and as a facilitator in a scientific environment and combines his experience as a scientist with his background in personal development.

General information and fee

• Date: Friday, June 13, 2025 from 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM

• Location: Davos, TBA

• Lecturer: Dr. Michael Bründl

• Language: English

• Target audience: All scientists.

• Course fee for participants from Academia Raetica member or partner institutions: CHF 30.

• External participants (not working at an Academia Raetica member or partner institution): CHF 60

• Registration deadline: May 24, 2025. You can cancel your participation free of charge until June 3, 2025. Please see our Terms of Participation for details.

• Max. number participants: 12 (min. number participants 6)

• Course certificate: You will receive a certificate of attendance, if you complete the workshop.

• Course Coordinator: Daniela Heinen, daniela.heinen@academiaraetica.ch, phone 081 410 60 84

Registration