FAQs
COURSE REGISTRATION FAQS
What is the Harvard Study of Adult Development?
The Harvard Study of Adult Development is the longest study of human life ever conducted. It is a one-of-a-kind resource for scientific knowledge on what promotes human thriving. The Study findings have made major contributions to the understanding of human life. There have been nine books and more than 200 scientific papers written on the Study data, informing how we think about fundamental problems such as alcoholism, depression, stress, and marital difficulties.
What is the Road Maps for Life Transitions program?
The Road Maps for Life Transitions program is a multi-session learning program, built on the Harvard Study findings, to help people live more productive lives with greater meaning and purpose.
Why the focus on transitions? What are some common transitions that this course helps with?
One thing that the Harvard Study directors realized is that every single person goes through transitions – even if they’re not aware of them. And they often need support during these times. Example transitions include divorce, retirement, having children, getting a first job, graduating from college, overcoming addictive habits, and so on. These are times of great change and reflection. They are times – if done correctly – when your values can serve as guideposts and your relationships can be stepping stones of support to help you get where you want to go.
What if I’m not currently going through a life transition?
That’s totally fine! Many people who experience the program are not currently in a transition. Some people are just coming out of the pandemic and reflecting on their lives and wondering “Why am I here? What am I called to do?” The fact is, though, that you have experienced transitions, and you will again in the future. One of the main benefits of this program is to help you reflect on major life changes in your past, and how you can apply what you’ve learned to navigate (or even precipitate and accelerate) big transitions in your future.
What are the main topics covered in the sessions?
In addition to transitions, the program helps you answer questions like:
- Where am I in my life, and how does that shape my view of what’s important?
- What do I value the most in life, and am I devoting my time and energy to what I care about most?
- Who is most important in my life, and how can I take care of those relationships?
- Life keeps bringing new challenges. How can I get better at coping with them?
How are the sessions delivered?
The 90 minute sessions are delivered virtually through Zoom.
Who will be facilitating the program?
Lifespan has several expert facilitators, such as Ken De Loreto, who are skilled in both our content and delivering virtual instructor-led training.
In which language will the program be delivered?
How are the modules structured?
Each of the five, 90-minute modules has a similar structure. We begin by “tuning in,” or getting centered with ourselves with a mindfulness exercise. Then we dive into the topic, with a video presentation by Dr. Robert Waldinger, Director of the Harvard Study. These videos bring each topic to life with data and stories from the research. You’ll reflect on how these research lessons apply to your life, relationships, and so forth. You’ll then share these reflections with one or two other people in small breakout rooms, when you can make connections and more breakthrough type thinking. Coming back to the large group, we’ll discuss our realizations and do more self-guided exercises designed to help you pause, reflect, and come to deep realizations about your life and whether you are living it in the most fulfilling way to you. Each module comes to a close with more mindfulness exercise and a ‘homework’ exercise to help you identify a behavior change to make your chosen change stick.
What will happen after the program ends?
What are the main benefits of participating?
- Reconnecting with yourself and your most important relationships
- Finding meaning in life
- Confidence in identifying a “way forward” in your life, and overcoming challenges
- Profound insights in how you’re spending your time and energy
- Increased closeness and trust level in teams who have participated together and spoken about real issues in their lives
- For teams participating together, many report an increased closeness and increase in trust level as people speak about real issues in their lives.