Course Description

Energy, in a human context, is our capacity to do work, play, be creative and connect with others. But when we don’t deliberately manage our energy, we limit our ability to perform at our best and even risk burnout.
In today’s fast-paced world, burnout impacts everyone - individuals, teams, organisations and even society. Burnout is a complex challenge, and the solution isn’t as easy as working less or implementing ‘tips and tricks.’ However, a simple shift in how we approach our work and life can make all the difference - moving from a narrow view of ‘time management’ and expanding to include and focus on energy management. We’ll always need to manage our time, but by prioritising our energy, we can not only mitigate burnout, we can also create the conditions to thrive at work and beyond.
In this four-week, online program, you will learn practical tools and techniques thousands of professionals have used to develop their ability to manage energy. You will explore what is draining your energy and how you can implement simple practices to restore and protect it. You will learn practical ways to better use your energy while also expanding your capacity. By the end of the course, you will walk away with a new understanding of how you work at your best and tangible practices to enhance your resiliency, productivity and overall well-being.

By the end of the course, you will:

  • Identify what is draining your energy and how you can protect it

  • Increase your capacity to adapt to stress 

  • Be able to use your personal energy more sustainably

  • Implement new practices to restore and renew your personal energy 

  • Create systems to manage distractions and increase your ability to focus

  • Be able to implement healthy rhythms at work that support your productivity

  • Implement new practices that make you feel energised and alive


How it Works:

Each week you will watch a series of videos that cover key concepts and guide you through specific exercises. 

During the course, you will work on implementing simple practices and habits that support you in effectively managing your energy and mitigating burnout. You will also engage in reflective learning exercises and have opportunities to interact with your peers. 

You will have the option to be paired with another participant as your accountability partner. This is an opportunity to deepen your learning and connect with someone new. 

We will also have a private Linkedin discussion forum where you can engage with the broader community in the course, ask questions, and share resources.

This course is offered in partnership with more than a dozen alumni offices from partner schools will also participate in the LinkedIn Discussion Group allowing for increased networking and more diverse perspectives.

In summary, each week you will:

  • Engage with course content

  • Work on your daily practices

  • Complete reflective exercises 

  • Meet with an accountability partner (optional)

Testimonial

Jane D

Innovate Calgary

“Cole is a seasoned professional who delivers top-notch workshops to support entrepreneurs' mental health. Grounded in compelling research, Cole offers simple and achievable insights and tactics that help folks understand and protect their precious energy to maximize their personal resilience and reduce the chance of burnout. Highly valuable and highly recommend.”

Course curriculum

  1. 1

    • Introduction

    • Welcome Video
  2. 2

    • Week 1 Workbook

    • How to Assess My Energy

    • How to Use Energy

    • Practice of Pausing

    • 3 Minute Pause - Sitting/Walking
  3. 3

    • Workbook - Week 2

    • The hidden drains on my energy

    • How to protect energy

    • How to create space for focus

  4. 4

    • Workbook - Week 3

    • How to Restore My Energy

    • How to Vitalize My Energy

    • Implement Rest and Vitalize Practices
  5. 5

    • Workbook - Week 4

    • Remove Debris to Grow Capacity

    • Growth Zone and Flow

    • Looking Back and Looking Ahead

Our Instructor - Cole Nakatani

Cole Nakatani is a professional development trainer and coach with a passion for empowering people to create meaningful work and meaningful lives. He has spent more than a decade designing and facilitating transformational learning experiences for thousands of university students and professionals from around the world.
Cole is a certified Professional Integral Coach™ and has worked with leaders in various positions and organisations, from startup founders to senior management and social enterprises to public companies. Cole is an adjunct professor at UBC Sauder where he leads the new innovative capstone course for all business undergraduate students. A common thread in all of his work is to build new capabilities within people so they can be more resilient, deliberate and fulfilled in their work and life.
Outside of work, Cole enjoys exploring ways to expand his edges, whether it be functional movement training, freediving deep below the surface, or trail running through BC's old-growth forests with his flat feet.

Our Instructor - Erik Bisanz

Erik is a mental health expert and international speaker specialising in resiliency, wonder and human connection. Erik began his career working in youth work, addiction and restorative justice for over a decade. His unique perspective caused him to be sought out to design novel mental health and psychiatric programs, as well as collaborate with some of the top speakers and entertainers exploring the intersection of art, science and magic for live audiences and films around the world.
Erik left his business to pursue his passion for preventative mental health care. He currently studies new techniques for improving mental wellness at the University of British Columbia, and lectures around the world on subjects including perception, stress, trauma, and resiliency.

FAQ

Does this course treat burnout?

This course is not meant for people currently experiencing intense burnout symptoms. If you’re experiencing significant burnout symptoms, we recommend that you seek the support of a professional counsellor or therapist. This course does not provide psychological counselling or any type of therapy and it's not intended as a substitute for professional medical or psychological services.

This course can be helpful for those who have periodically experienced burnout and want to learn tools and strategies to help prevent it. However, it does not treat burnout directly.

How do I register for this course?

Registration can be made by clicking the register link above. Registration must be completed online and a separate online submission is required for each participating alumni.

What is the cost for the course?

There is no cost with the course.

 What resources will I need for this class?

To complete this course you'll need an internet connection, and the time to read, watch recorded lectures, and participate in online discussions.

Do I have to be a York College of Pennsylvania alum to participate in this course?

No, this course is available for York College of Pennsylvania Alumni and friends of the university.

When does the class meet?

The course site opens to participants on May 6, 2024, but when you "attend" class is entirely up to you. Our online course is without set class meetings. Instead, "class" is really the collection of video lectures that are available on-demand. Each week a new section of the course will be posted, and you can watch that content. However, you can always go back and review the previous content. After you've studied the readings and watched the video lectures, you'll head over to the course forums to respond to the weekly discussion questions and interact with the instructor, teaching assistants, and your classmates.

Where will the discussion with other alumni happen?

There will be a LinkedIn group provided to you that will house all the discussion about course content. You'll be able to interact with other alumni from York College of Pennsylvania and other universities whose alumni are also taking the course.

Can I earn credit for completing the course?

Course credit is not offered. Those participants who fulfill the requirement of posting answers to the required discussion questions will be e-mailed a certificate following the conclusion of the course.

What are Accountability Buddies and how do they work?

One unique aspect of this course is the opportunity to be paired with a fellow alum as your accountability buddy. The main activity is to meet weekly (e.g., over Zoom) to discuss questions about habits and share your progress. This is completely optional but highly recommended. More information is available in the pre-course module and Week 1.

What if my question isn't answered here?

If you have further questions, please email [email protected]

Testimonials

  • Al B, Executive Director

    “I have seen him in various venues and am always left with a sense of amazement. Truly he creates an environment that shifts the paradigm of ‘when I see it I will believe it’ to, ‘when I believe it I will see it!’ I could not think of a laboratory of learning around transformation being more effective.”

  • Keith Barry, world-renowned speaker

    “I can assure you that [Erik] is someone who is able to demonstrate every method he teaches and every claim he makes, in any situation. Indeed, since learning and rehearsing his methods, I’ve been connecting with people in ways previously I never thought possible.”

  • Amrita G, Sales Manager

    “Cole has provided me with tools and resources that will aid me in managing my time, stress, and feeling like I have accomplished what I set out for in the day. This course has allowed me to reflect on what is not working and ways to fix it for the better. It encouraged vulnerability with the promise of growth. I think everyone can benefit from taking this course, and learning how creating and maintaining habits is beneficial in their life.”