Exo 9 - Work-life self-observation

Exo 9

Work-life self-observation

In this exercise, you will be reflecting on your own experiences when you transition from work/school to your home life.

Please choose a day that you are working or going to class (if it is an asynchronous class, pick a day that you are working on school activities). Then, on that day, choose a window of time that (a) includes a transition between school/work and home (including a commute, if you have one) and (b) is at least one hour long; you will record the start and end time below.

During this window of time, you should be paying special attention to what you are doing and how you feel. Take a few minutes throughout the self-observation to check in with yourself. How do you feel (content, stressed, accomplished, upset)? Are there any challenges you’re dealing with? What brings, or would bring, you a sense of ease? What is different about today (if anything)?

Before your self-observation, please preview the questions below so that you understand the reflection.

Part 1: Describing what you observed.

1. If you observed yourself at work, what is your title and organization? If you observed yourself at school, what is your year and major?

2. What are your work/school responsibilities? Briefly describe them.

3. Who did you interact with at work/school and/or at home?

4. What emotions did you observe in yourself at work/school and/or at home?

Part 2: Reflecting on your self-observation.

1. How did this self-observation make you feel about work-life balance?

2. Did anything surprise you about this observation? If so, what did you find interesting or unexpected? If not, why do you think this observation was predictable to you?

3. Would you say that your employer/university supports your work/life balance? Why or why not?

4. What could your employer/university do to support you and your fellow employees/students more?