tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9219236556397495909.post8588182241470927193..comments2023-11-03T08:13:04.072-04:00Comments on anabegins: FocusAnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00006807775816627217noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9219236556397495909.post-62080217325748724872014-01-09T16:51:44.054-05:002014-01-09T16:51:44.054-05:00It's funny, I was thinking about your "wa...It's funny, I was thinking about your "wasting time on the internet" issue, and wondering why it was happening. Now I know! I think your solution is a really good one. I know 1 is really hard for me--it's simple enough in principle, but actually figuring it out...well, I'd need an engineering degree and one in management. Gantt charts! Easy to imagine! Hard to execute.<br /><br />I think 2 is really wise. I remember when I got here I went to some workshop on being productive as a faculty member and one bit of advice was to do at least 15 minutes of writing a day. Of course, much of my job is not writing, but if I include data analysis and project planning and whatnot, it's a useful bit of advice. I tend to forget to do it. But it's food for the soul, while all the other stuff is the opposite. I guess I'm just agreeing with you in a really long-winded way.<br /><br />And this post reminds me to really protect my research blocks. It's so easy to let them get eaten by meetings, but I vow to do better this semester.<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9219236556397495909.post-16465136030893877572014-01-08T18:11:20.740-05:002014-01-08T18:11:20.740-05:00What she said! Also, can you delegate some of the...What she said! Also, can you delegate some of the admin tasks (like choosing and ordering collection tubes, etc) to a lab tech or a student? It might actually be good experience for them to handle little stuff like that and gives you more time to focus on The Science.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15212690454989568626noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9219236556397495909.post-2175740874103028002014-01-08T12:57:22.969-05:002014-01-08T12:57:22.969-05:00Hi Ana, I am a fairly regular reader but first-tim...Hi Ana, I am a fairly regular reader but first-time commenter. I have been in a situation very similar to yours (I'm a professor in the health sciences), and I've found all three of those strategies to be extremely helpful. #2 is absolutely key for motivation/attitude, and I've found that even 20-30 minutes a day pays large dividends. #s 1 and 3 have been surprisingly helpful in daily workflow. Be sure to stay flexible and forgiving with yourself on all of these (i.e., even if you make the to-do list "realistic," things may still take longer than you expect, and just adjust and don't beat yourself up for it; also, some days may be so crammed with admin. junk that there's truly no time for science, but start right up again the next day). Good luck--these same strategies have been so helpful for me, and I'm sure they'll help you too!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9219236556397495909.post-78753199707635813062014-01-08T10:34:45.199-05:002014-01-08T10:34:45.199-05:00I think number 2 on your list is key. You have to ...I think number 2 on your list is key. You have to make space for the part of your job you love and insist on it getting on your schedule first. It's not that you don't have to do the non-fun stuff (though there may be ways to compress it - always worth exploring) but if you wait to do the part of your job you love after all the other stuff happens it may never happen. And then life kind of sucks. Laura Vanderkamhttp://www.lauravanderkam.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9219236556397495909.post-87098211047751401982014-01-08T09:34:24.992-05:002014-01-08T09:34:24.992-05:00Yes! I totally understand. I love my bedside work...Yes! I totally understand. I love my bedside work, but I absolutely despise all the politics, the ass-kissing, and the dealing with people who think they know what they are talking about, but really have no clue. I try so hard to focus on the good parts of my work, but most days, I just feel frustrated and unmotivated. I tend to procrastinate and delay until I have so many tasks piled up, I have no choice but to get at it. And then I frantically race through everything- a strategy that allows me to look very, very busy, so I can generally avoid playing political games. Sigh... it is such a shame to spend time and money going to school for a career you believe you will love, only to find out that it's not exactly what you thought it would be. No wonder so many people make mid-life career changes. <br /><br />I sincerely hope your plan works to help you focus, and bring back some of the joy of what you do. I have been trying to do the same, but have only succeeded in complicating things for myself. I really need to win the lottery... lol.Catwoman73http://www.twoadultsonechild.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9219236556397495909.post-87067033337030742292014-01-07T20:28:00.274-05:002014-01-07T20:28:00.274-05:00I've had a big problem wasting time on the int...I've had a big problem wasting time on the internet lately myself. And when I promise that I won't do it today, I swear I waste even MORE time than usual. Gah!! <br /><br />You know what I hate most of all though? The 10AM meeting. Juuuust early enough so you can't do anything before it, and just late enough that when it's done all you can think about is lunch. So basically the 10AM meeting kills my whole morning, which is the most productive part of my day.<br /><br />I have found that keeping a running to do list helps me stay more focused. The only issue I run into is when things take way longer than I think they will, or when I discover some problem with the data and have to go get it fixed, and the whole thing goes to crap.OMDGhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17937425894428802591noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9219236556397495909.post-55012696637406937712014-01-07T17:10:14.538-05:002014-01-07T17:10:14.538-05:00My belief for me is still sleep-dep. Because when...My belief for me is still sleep-dep. Because when I caffeine it up (without going overboard to jittery), all of a sudden the focus is back. Remembering to take my vit. D supplement also helps.<br /><br />But I'm totally leech-blocking more websites (including this one) if I can't keep myself from web-surfing except at planned break-times.<br /><br />I do have to say though that I totally feel your pain with the IRB and in my case the grant people. It seems like when I started here they were doing their jobs well, but these past couple years I spend more time fixing mistakes with them or dealing with complicated new rules than doing a whole lot of other things. It's irritating and full of hassle and hurts productivity. And can't be delegated anywhere near as much as I'd like it to be.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com