Full course description
Capacity is often treated as a question of personal resilience or time management. This two-part series offers a different starting point: capacity is not simply an individual trait, but it is shaped by how cognitive, emotional, relational, and structural demands are distributed across people and teams.
Participants will use helpful frameworks to identify where their energy and attention are currently going, distinguish personal strain from structural friction, and select one workplace system or process for a focused redesign exercise.
Audience: All faculty and staff at UBC Vancouver and Okanagan.
Location: Zoom (Once you’ve registered, you will be directed to the course Canvas page where you can find the Zoom link and download the Outlook Calendar invite.)
Important Notes:
-We hope to see you at both sessions, as each session builds off each other. The second session will focus on applying the frameworks covered in session 1.
-If you can only attend one session you are still welcome to enrol; you will gain value from attending a single session.
-Participation will be via Zoom chat. There will be no breakout rooms.
-The session will be not recorded, but the slides will be shared.
Session 1: Mapping the Load
Date: Tuesday, September 15, 2026
Time: 10:30 am–12 pm
This session introduces Capacity Mapping as a practical way to understand where workplace demands are consuming attention and energy.
Participants will examine cognitive load, emotional load, and the impact of distractions, detours, and competing priorities. They will then use the Life Quadrants — Doing, Planning, Processing, and Being — to map how their energy is currently distributed and identify where strain or friction may be accumulating.
Objectives and takeaways
Participants will:
-distinguish capacity from personal stamina or endurance;
-identify cognitive, emotional, and structural sources of workplace load;
-recognize how different demands can accumulate across multiple areas of energy;
-complete a guided Life Quadrant Capacity Map;
-identify one pattern or area of workplace friction to explore further.
Session 2: From Capacity Mapping to Gentle Redesign
Date: Thursday, September 17, 2026
Time: 10:30 am – 12 pm
This session helps participants make meaning of the patterns identified in their Capacity Maps. Through sample maps, guided reflection, and the principle of design over discipline, participants will explore how patterns of cognitive, emotional, and embodied load may connect to recurring workplace pain points. They will consider what their current way of working relies too heavily on and identify one small area where additional support, structure, or a different practice may be helpful.
The session will briefly introduce routines, rituals, skills, and systems as possible directions for future capacity-building work without attempting a full redesign or implementation plan.
Guided interpretation process
Participants will:
-Review their Life Quadrant Capacity Map.
-Interpret their patterns using sample maps and common load clusters.
-Name one workplace pain point more precisely.
-Identify what the current way of working may rely too heavily on.
-Consider what kind of support may be missing.
-Identify one possible next-step shift or question for further exploration.
Objectives and takeaways
Participants will:
-understand what their Capacity Map may reveal about their current workplace experience;
-connect quadrant patterns with cognitive, emotional, and embodied load;
-identify one recurring workplace pain point;
-distinguish between personal effort and a need for greater support or structure;
-leave with one possible direction for future capacity-building work.
About Your Facilitator:
Meghan Watson (she/her) is a licensed psychotherapist, clinical director, and wellness consultant with over 10 years of experience in research and mental health. Meghan is also the founder and owner of Toronto-based therapy clinic Bloom Psychology and Wellness. Meghan earned her graduate degree from Boston University School of Medicine and specializes in working with individuals and couples struggling with understanding complex emotions, navigating body image and disordered eating, managing burnout and stress, and establishing healthy relationships.
Dedicated to mental health awareness and advocacy, Meghan provides clinical insight, expert guidance and support to organizations and companies worldwide through her writing, speaking, consulting and clinical work from a mindful and growth-focused perspective.
If you have any questions, please email lauren.lee@ubc.ca.
Keywords: VRPTGY, ONCS, OE, WGIS, WGLS, INSWE, LSWG