Coaching for academics and authors
For the first time in over two years, I'm flying to attend conferences, book fairs, and seminars. My carry-on items will include my e-reader, noise-cancelling headphones, and an in-flight version of a snuggie. They will not include anything to do with work. I'll be re-instituting a rule I made for myself several years ago: no… Continue reading Why I don’t work on airplanes
Today’s blog is in the genre of “I don’t know who needs to hear this, but…”. I’m here to give you permission to back out of a work commitment you already made. By “you,” I mean those of you who believe that nothing short of a natural disaster or terminal illness is a good enough… Continue reading Saying no after saying yes (at work)
This is a question I ask myself when I notice my brain rehearsing a lecture while I’m lying in bed at night. Or when I’m composing an email in the shower. Or scheduling tasks on the treadmill. In other words, when my brain is in work mode but my body is—or should be—doing something else.… Continue reading Why are you working right now?
An academic job is actually many jobs in one: teacher, administrator, researcher, writer, mentor, project manager, curriculum developer, public expert... I could go on. So how do you decide, on any given day, where to invest your time, energy, hope, and aspirations? Last week I was away on a writing retreat with three colleagues with… Continue reading The work versus the job
Academic work is never really finished. Every paper could use more edits. The literature review will never be exhaustive. You can never be too prepared for class. I've found that academic work will expand to fill every hour you're willing to give it. And your institution, colleagues, supervisors, and students will be only too happy to take as much as you can give.