Welcome!

This lesson welcomes you to this course and gives you an initial introduction to the importance of time management. No one but you is responsible for your project.

Introduction to the three areas of time management

Introduction to the three big areas: I) Define your direction • set clear goals • define clear projects/clear topic • decide! II) Plan your time • long-term (Masterplan) • intermediate term (weekly planning) • short-term (daily planning) III) Control your inner state • concentrate • relax • motivate yourself

Setup of this course

Learn about all the topics we discuss in this course, and what you need to do in order to participate successfully.

Your trainer - Dr. Matthias Mayer

About your trainer, Dr. Matthias Mayer. About his backgrounds in art and computer science, and how he found his passion of being a trainer and coach.

Your test phase

Why defining the test phase of several weeks right after taking this course is highly recommended.

Please share your feedback with me

Already during the course, please collect specific feedback, like suggestions for improvements, but also what you like especially well - using this document. Please share it with us briefly before the course ends.

Please keep a protocol of your experiences

Right now, when applying these new techniques, please note some catchwords daily, what you tried out, and what experiences you made.

Be effective and be efficient

Being effective and being efficient is both very valuable. However, they are not the same! There is a big difference. And, one of them is 100 times more important than the other. Understand and apply it to your life.

Set smart goals and OKRs

Probably you already set goals. In this lesson you get recommendations how exactly to do so and how to deal with goals. Many people mistake wishes for goals. You learn, what smart goals are, and when even the structure OKRs makes sense. From now on, have written down yearly, quarterly and weekly goals.

Three golden rules for your doctorate

The three golden rules for successfully finishing a PhD thesis project.

Your master plan

Create a long-term plan of your complete PhD thesis /postdoc project. You can download the Gantt chart template and create your own individual plan based on the recommendations given.

How to work with your master plan

A couple of recommendations how to work with your master plan, once you created it.

Be a great decision-maker

Becoming a great decision-maker will let you save time and feel better after your decisions. Here you will learn why it makes sense to decide fast, to decide until you feel a certain relief, and to decide often. Enjoy growing your decision-making muscle!

The daily lists and calendar system / Kiss your frog!

Do you want to keep an overview of all important tasks and to do's? Then use the daily lists and calendar method: write down all your to do's in daily lists and your appointments in your calendar. Always have a clean table: only put the things there that are necessary to complete the current task, plus your daily lists book and your calendar. Kissing your frog every day is one of the best ways to be highly productive and successful. Do this from now on, every single day!

Q&A on frog and daily lists

Answers to common questions about frog and daily lists.

About this relaxation exercise

Try out the following deep relaxation technique once per day - ideally after lunch - as a "power nap" ritual. Use it to increase your concentration and productivity in the afternoon - and to deeply recharge your batteries on a daily level.

Guided deep relaxation

After lunch, do a power nap, relax deeply or go for a walk. Consider this guided deep relaxation as a daily source of relaxation. It will increase your concentration and focus thereafter.

Install the deep relaxation exercise in your life

About the relaxation exercise. Think about how you can integrate it to your life. Daily!

"Your tasks before meeting 1 - and before the Deadline

Your tasks before Meeting 1- before the deadline: - Watch all videos - Do the tasks - Keep your experiences protocol Send me before the deadline: - your learning goals - your protocol - a screenshot of your master plan - (optional) one long term goal

Know your biorhythm!

Consider your biorhythm when creating your daily plan. Do not miss use peak times for simple tasks. Re-set your current default off daily structure.

Your ideal workday - create your blueprint

Create your own blueprint of your ideal workday. Reflect about a meaningful morning ritual followed by productive sessions. Decide when you will kiss your frog, when you want to try out pomodoros, and when you do low-energy tasks. Use this blueprint to align all upcoming workdays.

Create text in six steps

How to efficiently create your text in six steps. Following this method allows you to overcome the writer's block easily. Also, it is one of the most effective ways to produce high-quality text in only little time.

Literature recommendations

Several books you can consult for background information on our topic.

Some general thoughts

Aim at living a fulfilled life and becoming the best version of yourself. Take care for yourself and your physical and mental health!

Deal well with your supervisor

Eight guidelines for dealing well with your supervisor. Since this is one of your most meaningful relationships, make sure you are able to install and maintain a good relationship here.

Short physical exercise (Bend your joints)

How to do pauses

A few remarks on what makes a pause effective.

Short physical exercise (Apple Tree)

Short physical exercise to regain energy. (Apple Tree)

Learn to say “No”!

Saying “No” is essential for personal success and setting boundaries. Don’t be everybody's darling! Instead, learn to properly set priorities and say “No”. You also learn about an exercise, how you can practically train this yourself.

Tools

Six tools you should have. And several digital tools to consider.

Your three most important decisions, daily

Every day, many times you decide about these three things. Learn, that these decisions are independent from each other and learn to make good decisions each time.

Your tasks before meeting 2 - and before the Deadline

Do this before our second meeting.