This past week, I had the privilege of attending a wonderful caucus at the Asilomar Conference Grounds in Pacific Grove, CA. The stunning setting and meaningful conversations left me inspired and energized. However, as I connected with colleagues during our travels home, a recurring theme emerged: the daunting pile of administrative tasks waiting for them.
For many, the transition from the inspiration of a caucus, conference, or other similar gathering, to the reality of paperwork, expense reports, emails, scheduling and logistical tasks can be jarring. Admin work often feels disconnected from the energy of big ideas and meaningful collaboration. It’s detail-heavy, time-consuming, and often thankless. And yet, it’s necessary—the behind-the-scenes effort that enables success.
While I’m fortunate not to have been faced with a mountain of admin tasks following this particular event, I wanted to share three strategies that might help anyone feeling overwhelmed post-conference:
1. Time-Block Admin Tasks
Set aside specific times to tackle admin work instead of letting it creep into your entire day. Knowing there’s a start and end time can help make the tasks feel more manageable.
2. Automate or Delegate Where Possible
Take a moment to evaluate which tasks can be simplified through tools or handed off to others. This can lighten the load and create space for more meaningful work.
3. Reflect on Conference Takeaways
Before diving back into the grind, set aside a few moments to reflect on what inspired you at the conference. Jot down key takeaways or actionable ideas. This helps keep the excitement and focus alive as you transition back into your routine—perhaps it will even make the admin work feel more purposeful.
Admin work may never inspire the same excitement as a conference full of learning and connection, but with the right strategies, it doesn’t have to drain your energy. To my colleagues facing that post-conference backlog: you’ve got this!
By: Elizabeth Hill, Associate Director, University of Colorado Boulder Ombuds Office and co-editor of Ombuzz.
Thanks to Caroline Adams, Director, University of California Santa Barbara Ombuds Office, for inspiring this post!