Interruptions Are Even Worse Than We Thought
That GChat is definitely hurting your work.
Office Hours in the Pool Hall
Teaching this semester? Wondering about ways to connect to your students? It might be time to try meeting them somewhere unusual. Holding office hours in different places helped me reach certain students, drive home points I had made in class, and get students to campus facilities they should know about,” writes John Soares. “I was […]
Random Reflections on Getting Published
Kirsten Bell, associate editor for Critical Public Health, spills the beans on what it takes to get published, including strategic submission dates, how to challenge an editorial decision, and doing your part as a reviewer. Here’s an excerpt: It’s my belief that when you submit your paper affects how long the review process takes—and, potentially, […]
Win Over an Opponent by Asking for Advice
Whether it’s a high-stakes monetary negotiation or winning support for a proposal, the simple gesture of soliciting advice can make you more likeable, encourage your counterpart to see your perspective, and rally commitment. The beauty of this approach is that it costs so little. So as you plan your next negotiation, consider how a targeted […]
The First Days of a New Tenure-Track Faculty Job
This is the season when some lucky ones preparing for new jobs in the fall. A few people have asked me what to expect, so I imagine even more are wondering. I’m writing from my own experience (starting 2.5 new faculty jobs), and yours have been different, so please do comment. What can you expect from […]
Why You Should Work from a Coffee Shop, Even When You Have an Office
It sounds counter-intuitive, but working at a bustling coffee shop can be less distracting than working in a quiet office. The change in environment also stimulates creativity, and chance encounters spark new ideas and connections. In the following article from FastCompany, Family Records founder Wesley Verhoeve writes about his experience working from a coffee shop […]
Why We All Need More Sleep (Really!)
Do you have a sleep schedule, or is it more of an “I wish I had time to sleep” schedule? Don’t laugh it off–getting enough sleep is critical for work and life. As Arianna Huffington, self-professed “sleep evangelist,” writes in the following essay for the Telegraph, a lack of sleep factors into errors of all […]
How to Talk to People Who Don’t Want to Talk to You
“You’re more interested in what you have to say than anyone else is,” said 60 Minutes’ Andy Rooney. Do any of these sound familiar? “I’m busy. Can you come back later?” “Thanks. We’ve got it covered.” “We don’t have the budget for that.” You’ve probably heard all the above: par for the course when trying […]
How Saying No Helps Professors Find Their Focus
Productive professors use a variety of techniques to focus on what matters most. For many, blocking out large chunks of time for research, writing, and grant applications is key. That’s the work they value most. But it can get crowded out as they advise students, talk with colleagues, serve on committees, and check e-mail. For […]
Sock Drawer as Professional Metaphor
“During this year’s winter break, however, I discovered a book that I hope will change my life. Marie Kondo’s The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing is a beautiful exploration about our attachment to things and one of the first I’ve read to explicitly examine our relationship to books […]