{"id":3290,"date":"2020-01-14T06:27:04","date_gmt":"2020-01-14T06:27:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.editage.com\/insights\/9-habits-of-highly-productive-researchers\/"},"modified":"2025-01-15T06:31:07","modified_gmt":"2025-01-15T06:31:07","slug":"9-habits-of-highly-productive-researchers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.editage.com\/insights\/9-habits-of-highly-productive-researchers","title":{"rendered":"9 Habits of highly productive researchers"},"content":{"rendered":"<p style=\"margin-bottom:.0001pt; text-align:justify; margin:0in 0in 8pt\"><span style=\"font-size:11pt\"><span style=\"line-height:115%\"><span style=\"font-family:Calibri,sans-serif\"><span style=\"font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,sans-serif\">Research can be tough: more often than not, you are multitasking, chasing deadlines, handling operational tasks, and more. How can you take on these challenges headlong and be on top of your game? In this piece, we will take a look at some habits that will help ease your researcher life and help you become a highly productive and effective researcher.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom:.0001pt; text-align:justify; margin:0in 0in 8pt\"><span style=\"font-size:11pt\"><span style=\"line-height:115%\"><span style=\"font-family:Calibri,sans-serif\"><span style=\"font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,sans-serif\">These are:<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom:.0001pt; text-align:justify; margin:0in 0in 8pt\"><span style=\"font-size:11pt\"><span style=\"line-height:115%\"><span style=\"font-family:Calibri,sans-serif\"><b><span style=\"font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,sans-serif\">Setting goals<\/span><\/b><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom:.0001pt; text-align:justify; margin:0in 0in 8pt\"><span style=\"font-size:11pt\"><span style=\"line-height:115%\"><span style=\"font-family:Calibri,sans-serif\"><span style=\"font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,sans-serif\">Setting well-defined and realistic goals can go a long way in ensuring success. Setting a goal provides a direction to day-to-day as well as long-term efforts. Having a goal also keeps you motivated because you know what you are aiming toward.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom:.0001pt; text-align:justify; margin:0in 0in 8pt\"><span style=\"font-size:11pt\"><span style=\"line-height:115%\"><span style=\"font-family:Calibri,sans-serif\"><span style=\"font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,sans-serif\">Here are a few pointers for setting and achieving goals.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"text-align: justify; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;\"><span style=\"font-size:11pt\"><span style=\"line-height:115%\"><span style=\"font-family:Calibri,sans-serif\"><b><span style=\"font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,sans-serif\">Set SMART goals<\/span><\/b><span style=\"font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,sans-serif\">. The goals should be SMART: specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and time-bound. Use these parameters to evaluate if you are setting apt goals.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"text-align: justify; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;\"><span style=\"font-size:11pt\"><span style=\"line-height:115%\"><span style=\"font-family:Calibri,sans-serif\"><b><span style=\"font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,sans-serif\">Have sub-goals<\/span><\/b><span style=\"font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,sans-serif\">. It helps to break up your goal into smaller goals. Doing this makes the bigger goal manageable and also promotes a feeling of continual achievement as you work your way through each \u2018mini\u2019 goal.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"text-align: justify; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;\"><span style=\"font-size:11pt\"><span style=\"line-height:115%\"><span style=\"font-family:Calibri,sans-serif\"><b><span style=\"font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,sans-serif\">Track your progress<\/span><\/b><span style=\"font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,sans-serif\">. Periodically review your performance and your goals. This will help you determine what changes you need to make to your performance, your goal, or both.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"text-align: justify; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;\"><span style=\"font-size:11pt\"><span style=\"line-height:115%\"><span style=\"font-family:Calibri,sans-serif\"><b><span style=\"font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,sans-serif\"><span style=\"color:black\">Have an accountability partner<\/span><\/span><\/b><span style=\"font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,sans-serif\"><span style=\"color:black\">.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,sans-serif\">An accountability partner is someone with whom you share your goals and updates on them to help you be on track. Ideally, this should be a peer or someone who shares your goals, so that you can keep each other motivated.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom:.0001pt; text-align:justify; margin:0in 0in 8pt\"><span style=\"font-size:11pt\"><span style=\"line-height:115%\"><span style=\"font-family:Calibri,sans-serif\"><b><span style=\"font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,sans-serif\">Being organized<\/span><\/b><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom:.0001pt; text-align:justify; margin:0in 0in 8pt\"><span style=\"font-size:11pt\"><span style=\"line-height:115%\"><span style=\"font-family:Calibri,sans-serif\"><span style=\"font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,sans-serif\">\u2018Where did the day go?\u2019 If you find yourself often asking this, you are probably letting the day run you, and not the other way around. Yes, there\u2019s a lot to do on a daily basis as a researcher: making progress with your research, catching up with your writing, staying abreast of latest developments in the field, corresponding with various collaborators, and so on. But what helps many researchers get tasks done is organizing their work life. Being organized helps you multitask with ease, prioritize better, and ensure that you do not miss out any tasks. <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom:.0001pt; text-align:justify; margin:0in 0in 8pt\"><span style=\"font-size:11pt\"><span style=\"line-height:115%\"><span style=\"font-family:Calibri,sans-serif\"><span style=\"font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,sans-serif\">Here are different aspects of your work life that you can organize to be more productive.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"text-align: justify; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;\"><span style=\"font-size:11pt\"><span style=\"line-height:115%\"><span style=\"font-family:Calibri,sans-serif\"><b><span style=\"font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,sans-serif\">Your day<\/span><\/b><span style=\"font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,sans-serif\">: Assign a separate period of the day for each activity. For instance, you could do your writing in the early morning or at night, whenever you find it conducive. Similarly, you could keep administrative tasks for a sluggish period such as after lunch.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"text-align: justify; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;\"><span style=\"font-size:11pt\"><span style=\"line-height:115%\"><span style=\"font-family:Calibri,sans-serif\"><b><span style=\"font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,sans-serif\">Your data<\/span><\/b><span style=\"font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,sans-serif\">: Keep a record of your data using <span class=\"MsoHyperlink\" style=\"color:#0563c1\"><span style=\"text-decoration:underline\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.editage.com\/insights\/what-would-happen-if-you-lost-all-your-data\/\" style=\"color:#0563c1; text-decoration:underline\">data management tools<\/a><\/span><\/span>. You can save useful articles through <span class=\"MsoHyperlink\" style=\"color:#0563c1\"><span style=\"text-decoration:underline\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.editage.com\/insights\/a-young-researchers-guide-to-digital-tools-for-literature-search-and-reference-management\/\" style=\"color:#0563c1; text-decoration:underline\">reference management software<\/a><\/span><\/span> and your citations using <span class=\"MsoHyperlink\" style=\"color:#0563c1\"><span style=\"text-decoration:underline\"><a href=\"https:\/\/guides.library.cornell.edu\/annotatedbibliography\" style=\"color:#0563c1; text-decoration:underline\">annotated bibliography<\/a><\/span><\/span>. Organizing different assets of your research will keep them right where you know them.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"text-align: justify; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;\"><span style=\"font-size:11pt\"><span style=\"line-height:115%\"><span style=\"font-family:Calibri,sans-serif\"><b><span style=\"font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,sans-serif\">Your communication<\/span><\/b><span style=\"font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,sans-serif\">: Create folders in your inbox and assign rules for different types of emails so that they are easier and faster to read and respond.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom:.0001pt; text-align:justify; margin:0in 0in 8pt\"><span style=\"font-size:11pt\"><span style=\"line-height:115%\"><span style=\"font-family:Calibri,sans-serif\"><b><span style=\"font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,sans-serif\">Managing time<\/span><\/b><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom:.0001pt; text-align:justify; margin:0in 0in 8pt\"><span style=\"font-size:11pt\"><span style=\"line-height:115%\"><span style=\"font-family:Calibri,sans-serif\"><span style=\"font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,sans-serif\">Managing your time efficiently is important for the health of your research project, but it\u2019s also important for your overall wellbeing. Not managing time well can lead to feelings of inadequacy, making you feel overwhelmed and stressed. In the long run, it can also lead to burnout. Time management is also important to ensure you have a life outside the lab.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom:.0001pt; text-align:justify; margin:0in 0in 8pt\"><span style=\"font-size:11pt\"><span style=\"line-height:115%\"><span style=\"font-family:Calibri,sans-serif\"><span style=\"font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,sans-serif\">The first step to managing time is to track it. \u201c<span class=\"MsoHyperlink\" style=\"color:#0563c1\"><span style=\"text-decoration:underline\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nature.com\/articles\/nj7656-175a\" style=\"color:#0563c1; text-decoration:underline\">To manage time well, know where it goes<\/a><\/span><\/span>,\u201d offers Meghan Duffy, an ecologist at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. When Duffy started tracking her time as a postdoc, she found that she was spending disproportionate amounts going through the news. Once you know where you are spending your time, you can determine which activities to continue and which to remove or curtail.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom:.0001pt; text-align:justify; margin:0in 0in 8pt\"><span style=\"font-size:11pt\"><span style=\"line-height:115%\"><span style=\"font-family:Calibri,sans-serif\"><span style=\"font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,sans-serif\">For the tasks you need to do, you can adopt the following strategies.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"text-align: justify; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;\"><span style=\"font-size:11pt\"><span style=\"line-height:115%\"><span style=\"font-family:Calibri,sans-serif\"><b><span style=\"font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,sans-serif\">Set priorities<\/span><\/b><span style=\"font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,sans-serif\">.<b> <\/b>Prioritization helps you focus your time and effort. To determine priorities, you could use a tool such as the <span class=\"MsoHyperlink\" style=\"color:#0563c1\"><span style=\"text-decoration:underline\"><a href=\"https:\/\/appfluence.com\/productivity\/prioritization-matrix\/\" style=\"color:#0563c1; text-decoration:underline\">prioritization matrix<\/a><\/span><\/span>, which helps you decide the tasks to focus on based on two criteria, urgency and criticality.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"text-align: justify; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;\"><span style=\"font-size:11pt\"><span style=\"line-height:115%\"><span style=\"font-family:Calibri,sans-serif\"><b><span style=\"font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,sans-serif\">Batch-process certain tasks<\/span><\/b><span style=\"font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,sans-serif\">.<b> <\/b>Instead of reading and replying to emails as they come, keep a certain time of the day for doing so.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"text-align: justify; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;\"><span style=\"font-size:11pt\"><span style=\"line-height:115%\"><span style=\"font-family:Calibri,sans-serif\"><b><span style=\"font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,sans-serif\">Outsource or delegate certain tasks if you can<\/span><\/b><span style=\"font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,sans-serif\">. This will help you keep time and energy for the activities you enjoy.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom:.0001pt; text-align:justify; margin:0in 0in 8pt\"><span style=\"font-size:11pt\"><span style=\"line-height:115%\"><span style=\"font-family:Calibri,sans-serif\"><span style=\"font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,sans-serif\">For other ways to manage your time, check out this piece: <span class=\"MsoHyperlink\" style=\"color:#0563c1\"><span style=\"text-decoration:underline\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.editage.com\/insights\/10-tried-and-tested-time-management-tips-for-researchers\/\" style=\"color:#0563c1; text-decoration:underline\">10 Tried and tested time management tips for researchers<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom:.0001pt; text-align:justify; margin:0in 0in 8pt\"><span style=\"font-size:11pt\"><span style=\"line-height:115%\"><span style=\"font-family:Calibri,sans-serif\"><b><span style=\"font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,sans-serif\">Staying informed<\/span><\/b><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom:.0001pt; text-align:justify; margin:0in 0in 8pt\"><span style=\"font-size:11pt\"><span style=\"line-height:115%\"><span style=\"font-family:Calibri,sans-serif\"><span style=\"font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,sans-serif\">Science grows at a relentless pace. Keeping aware of the goings-on in the industry and the developments in your field of research helps you remain on top of your game. Staying informed can also open up new opportunities \u2013 be it finding a great collaborator, coming across a piece of information that can help you in your research, knowing about a new grant opportunity, or participating in a conference. Keeping yourself current is imperative because an informed researcher is an empowered researcher.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom:.0001pt; text-align:justify; margin:0in 0in 8pt\"><span style=\"font-size:11pt\"><span style=\"line-height:115%\"><span style=\"font-family:Calibri,sans-serif\"><span style=\"font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,sans-serif\">But how do you manage to make time for reading in your busy schedule? Apart from the time management tips suggested above, here are a couple of other suggestions.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"text-align: justify; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;\"><span style=\"font-size:11pt\"><span style=\"line-height:115%\"><span style=\"font-family:Calibri,sans-serif\"><b><span style=\"font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,sans-serif\">Devote a little time daily<\/span><\/b><span style=\"font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,sans-serif\">. Spend just a tiny amount of time, even 10 minutes (such as during a coffee break), each day to catch up on relevant news and information. A little bit each day adds up to a lot over time.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"text-align: justify; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;\"><span style=\"font-size:11pt\"><span style=\"line-height:115%\"><span style=\"font-family:Calibri,sans-serif\"><b><span style=\"font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,sans-serif\">Learn to speed read<\/span><\/b><span style=\"font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,sans-serif\">.<b> <\/b><span class=\"MsoHyperlink\" style=\"color:#0563c1\"><span style=\"text-decoration:underline\"><a href=\"http:\/\/phdtalk.blogspot.com\/2013\/05\/teach-yourself-speed-reading.html\" style=\"color:#0563c1; text-decoration:underline\">Speed reading<\/a><\/span><\/span> helps you quickly get the gist of a piece without having to deep dive into it. Doing this also helps you quickly identify information that is relevant, an especially useful strategy in today\u2019s times of \u2018information overload.\u2019<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom:.0001pt; text-align:justify; margin:0in 0in 8pt\"><span style=\"font-size:11pt\"><span style=\"line-height:115%\"><span style=\"font-family:Calibri,sans-serif\"><b><span style=\"font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,sans-serif\">Being proactive<\/span><\/b><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom:.0001pt; text-align:justify; margin:0in 0in 8pt\"><span style=\"font-size:11pt\"><span style=\"line-height:115%\"><span style=\"font-family:Calibri,sans-serif\"><span style=\"font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,sans-serif\">Being proactive is about thinking ahead to stay ahead.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom:.0001pt; text-align:justify; margin:0in 0in 8pt\"><span style=\"font-size:11pt\"><span style=\"line-height:115%\"><span style=\"font-family:Calibri,sans-serif\"><span style=\"font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,sans-serif\">It involves thinking through all the requirements for your research to ensure they are met in a timely manner. It also involves anticipating any challenges your research project might face in the course of time \u2013 such as delays in getting the requisite approvals \u2013 and preparing to meet these challenges. At times, it can also involve having a backup plan (a plan B), so that you can enact a new course of action if the previous one fails.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom:.0001pt; text-align:justify; margin:0in 0in 8pt\"><span style=\"font-size:11pt\"><span style=\"line-height:115%\"><span style=\"font-family:Calibri,sans-serif\"><span style=\"font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,sans-serif\">Publication is another area where being proactive helps. Identifying a target journal before you start writing the manuscript helps you save time and tailor your writing to the journal\u2019s style. Knowing about the journal\u2019s review process and withdrawal policy in advance helps you chalk out a plan in case of unprecedented delays. Why, you could even have a list of potential peer reviewers ready if the journal is not able to find them on their own!<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom:.0001pt; text-align:justify; margin:0in 0in 8pt\"><span style=\"font-size:11pt\"><span style=\"line-height:115%\"><span style=\"font-family:Calibri,sans-serif\"><span style=\"font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,sans-serif\">Finally, being proactive can be especially beneficial to your career. For instance, if you identify a technology or an approach that has the potential to become a standard in the time to come, you can go about acquiring the requisite knowledge and skills starting now.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom:.0001pt; text-align:justify; margin:0in 0in 8pt\"><span style=\"font-size:11pt\"><span style=\"line-height:115%\"><span style=\"font-family:Calibri,sans-serif\"><b><span style=\"font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,sans-serif\">Building a network<\/span><\/b><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom:.0001pt; text-align:justify; margin:0in 0in 8pt\"><span style=\"font-size:11pt\"><span style=\"line-height:115%\"><span style=\"font-family:Calibri,sans-serif\"><span style=\"font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,sans-serif\">While research happens in the lab, many aspects of research take place outside the lab. For researchers at any level, building a network and ecosystem outside the lab becomes crucial for several reasons.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"text-align: justify; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;\"><span style=\"font-size:11pt\"><span style=\"line-height:115%\"><span style=\"font-family:Calibri,sans-serif\"><b><span style=\"font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,sans-serif\">Opens you up to new possibilities<\/span><\/b><span style=\"font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,sans-serif\">: Meeting other researchers and learning of the work they are doing opens up your mind; it could even give you insights and ideas for your own research.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"text-align: justify; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;\"><span style=\"font-size:11pt\"><span style=\"line-height:115%\"><span style=\"font-family:Calibri,sans-serif\"><b><span style=\"font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,sans-serif\">Helps increase the visibility of your research<\/span><\/b><span style=\"font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,sans-serif\">: Sharing your research with others helps your work reach and potentially benefit more people, which is one of the cornerstones of science.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"text-align: justify; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;\"><span style=\"font-size:11pt\"><span style=\"line-height:115%\"><span style=\"font-family:Calibri,sans-serif\"><span style=\"font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,sans-serif\"><strong>Leads to future opportunities<\/strong>: The networks you create now could lead to an opportunity sometime in the future. As Dr Wade Kelly, Senior Coordinator, Research Impact, La Trobe University, Melbourne <a href=\"https:\/\/researchwhisperer.org\/2019\/11\/26\/forging-your-post-phd-during-your-phd\/\">shares<\/a>, \u201cThe reason I was able to get the [my] job was because I had worked hard to build a network of people who were willing to help me out\u2026 and who shared information about jobs and opportunities.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"text-align: justify; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;\"><span style=\"font-size:11pt\"><span style=\"line-height:115%\"><span style=\"font-family:Calibri,sans-serif\"><b><span style=\"font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,sans-serif\">Fosters kinship<\/span><\/b><span style=\"font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,sans-serif\">: Sharing experiences \u2013 good and bad \u2013 kindles a sense of empathy. It also helps you learn from each other.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom:.0001pt; text-align:justify; margin:0in 0in 8pt\"><span style=\"font-size:11pt\"><span style=\"line-height:115%\"><span style=\"font-family:Calibri,sans-serif\"><span style=\"font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,sans-serif\">While building a network takes time and effort, technology has made things a bit easier these days. So, although a real-world connection is ideal, a virtual one \u2013 such as through a Q&amp;A forum or a social media platform \u2013 can be an equally valuable one.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom:.0001pt; text-align:justify; margin:0in 0in 8pt\"><span style=\"font-size:11pt\"><span style=\"line-height:115%\"><span style=\"font-family:Calibri,sans-serif\"><b><span style=\"font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,sans-serif\">Working to your strengths<\/span><\/b><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom:.0001pt; text-align:justify; margin:0in 0in 8pt\"><span style=\"font-size:11pt\"><span style=\"line-height:115%\"><span style=\"font-family:Calibri,sans-serif\"><span style=\"font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,sans-serif\">We all have our strengths and weaknesses, and we work best when we work to our strengths. You will be more productive in your daily work and grow faster in your career if you know what you are good at. This is why some people say they are \u2018morning people\u2019 and some are \u2018night owls\u2019. Or you are probably great at networking and gathering data but are clueless when it comes to organizing and storing it, in which case, you could work with someone who is good with data management. Richard Primack, an ecologist at Boston University, Massachusetts says that he sticks to the work that he finds personally rewarding. He believes that \u201c<span class=\"MsoHyperlink\" style=\"color:#0563c1\"><span style=\"text-decoration:underline\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nature.com\/articles\/nj7656-175a\" style=\"color:#0563c1; text-decoration:underline\">working too long on something unpleasant is not a recipe for a successful career<\/a><\/span><\/span>.\u201d Highly productive researchers know their \u2018zone\u2019 and put their concerted efforts \u2018in the zone\u2019 to achieve maximum results.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom:.0001pt; text-align:justify; margin:0in 0in 8pt\"><span style=\"font-size:11pt\"><span style=\"line-height:115%\"><span style=\"font-family:Calibri,sans-serif\"><span style=\"font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,sans-serif\">Do note a couple of points though.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"text-align: justify; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;\"><span style=\"font-size:11pt\"><span style=\"line-height:115%\"><span style=\"font-family:Calibri,sans-serif\"><b><span style=\"font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,sans-serif\">Knowing your strengths takes time<\/span><\/b><span style=\"font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,sans-serif\">.<b> <\/b>It is typically through trial and error that you find your strengths. So, in your early years as a researcher, take up a variety of tasks and activities, and through your mistakes, you will learn what your strengths are.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"text-align: justify; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;\"><span style=\"font-size:11pt\"><span style=\"line-height:115%\"><span style=\"font-family:Calibri,sans-serif\"><b><span style=\"font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,sans-serif\">Do not let your &#8216;zone&#8217; become a &#8216;comfort zone<\/span><\/b><span style=\"font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,sans-serif\"><strong>.&#8217;<\/strong>\u00a0It is vital to keep stepping out of your comfort zone, to keep challenging yourself, from time to time. Apart from helping you grow, this may also help you uncover new strengths.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom:.0001pt; text-align:justify; margin:0in 0in 8pt\"><span style=\"font-size:11pt\"><span style=\"line-height:115%\"><span style=\"font-family:Calibri,sans-serif\"><b><span style=\"font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,sans-serif\">Taking care of yourself<\/span><\/b><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom:.0001pt; text-align:justify; margin:0in 0in 8pt\"><span style=\"font-size:11pt\"><span style=\"line-height:115%\"><span style=\"font-family:Calibri,sans-serif\"><span style=\"font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,sans-serif\">Life as a researcher can get stressful. The question is, are you dealing with it or just letting it build? If you don\u2019t find ways to manage stress, it will eventually get to a point where your research and you will both suffer. Also, you need to look at both dimensions \u2013 physical and psychological \u2013 especially because one can affect the other.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom:.0001pt; text-align:justify; margin:0in 0in 8pt\"><span style=\"font-size:11pt\"><span style=\"line-height:115%\"><span style=\"font-family:Calibri,sans-serif\"><span style=\"font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,sans-serif\">Here are some simple ways to <span class=\"MsoHyperlink\" style=\"color:#0563c1\"><span style=\"text-decoration:underline\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.editage.com\/insights\/week-6-challenge-6-my-self-care-resolution-is\/\" style=\"color:#0563c1; text-decoration:underline\">practice self-care<\/a><\/span><\/span>.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"text-align: justify; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;\"><span style=\"font-size:11pt\"><span style=\"line-height:115%\"><span style=\"font-family:Calibri,sans-serif\"><b><span style=\"font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,sans-serif\">Take breaks<\/span><\/b><span style=\"font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,sans-serif\">. Ensure you get some time on weekends for yourself to do the things you enjoy. Take vacations when you can. You can also take mini-breaks at work between periods of strenuous activity.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"text-align: justify; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;\"><span style=\"font-size:11pt\"><span style=\"line-height:115%\"><span style=\"font-family:Calibri,sans-serif\"><b><span style=\"font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,sans-serif\">Sleep well<\/span><\/b><span style=\"font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,sans-serif\">. Ensure you get enough <span class=\"MsoHyperlink\" style=\"color:#0563c1\"><span style=\"text-decoration:underline\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.editage.com\/insights\/week-3-challenge-3-sleep\/\" style=\"color:#0563c1; text-decoration:underline\">sleep<\/a><\/span><\/span> and that it is restful: free from noises, distractions, and devices.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"text-align: justify; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;\"><span style=\"font-size:11pt\"><span style=\"line-height:115%\"><span style=\"font-family:Calibri,sans-serif\"><b><span style=\"font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,sans-serif\">Take up a physical activity<\/span><\/b><span style=\"font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,sans-serif\">. Research can get very cerebral. A physical activity, such as jogging, yoga, or hiking, can provide a good counterbalance to all that mental work. It also, of course, helps you stay fitter.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"text-align: justify; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;\"><span style=\"font-size:11pt\"><span style=\"line-height:115%\"><span style=\"font-family:Calibri,sans-serif\"><b><span style=\"font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,sans-serif\">Talk it out<\/span><\/b><span style=\"font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,sans-serif\">. Bottling up your feelings and emotions can get unhealthy. Share what\u2019s troubling you with a friend, a peer, or a senior who you know will listen without judgment. If that doesn\u2019t help and things get unmanageable, consider seeking professional help.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom:.0001pt; text-align:justify; margin:0in 0in 8pt\"><span style=\"font-size:11pt\"><span style=\"line-height:115%\"><span style=\"font-family:Calibri,sans-serif\"><span style=\"font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,sans-serif\">If you are concerned that putting yourself first will affect your work, it\u2019s quite the opposite. Taking care of yourself helps you be more productive. Need more proof? Read <span class=\"MsoHyperlink\" style=\"color:#0563c1\"><span style=\"text-decoration:underline\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.editage.com\/insights\/dr-workload-or-how-i-learned-to-be-more-productive-and-put-self-care-first\/\" style=\"color:#0563c1; text-decoration:underline\">this heartwarming story of how one researcher learned to do both<\/a><\/span><\/span> after getting to the brink of exhaustion.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom:.0001pt; text-align:justify; margin:0in 0in 8pt\"><span style=\"font-size:11pt\"><span style=\"line-height:115%\"><span style=\"font-family:Calibri,sans-serif\"><b><span style=\"font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,sans-serif\">Celebrating success<\/span><\/b><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom:.0001pt; text-align:justify; margin:0in 0in 8pt\"><span style=\"font-size:11pt\"><span style=\"line-height:115%\"><span style=\"font-family:Calibri,sans-serif\"><span style=\"font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,sans-serif\">Success is hard-earned, and <span class=\"MsoHyperlink\" style=\"color:#0563c1\"><span style=\"text-decoration:underline\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.editage.com\/insights\/learning-how-to-celebrate-the-small-victories\/\" style=\"color:#0563c1; text-decoration:underline\">should be celebrated<\/a><\/span><\/span>. Finished formatting your research paper? Your manuscript got accepted? Every victory, big or small, deserves a celebration. It reminds you to appreciate every step you are taking to meet your ultimate goal. <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom:.0001pt; text-align:justify; margin:0in 0in 8pt\"><span style=\"font-size:11pt\"><span style=\"line-height:115%\"><span style=\"font-family:Calibri,sans-serif\"><span style=\"font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,sans-serif\">Because research is seldom a solo effort, it is also great to celebrate those who contributed to your success. So, acknowledge that peer, that supervisor, that reviewer, that co-author, or that collaborator. As one of the greatest scientists of all time, Isaac Newton, once said, \u201cIf I have seen further than others, it is by standing upon the shoulders of giants.\u201d <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom:.0001pt; text-align:justify; margin:0in 0in 8pt\"><span style=\"font-size:11pt\"><span style=\"line-height:115%\"><span style=\"font-family:Calibri,sans-serif\"><span style=\"font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,sans-serif\">Here\u2019s to being more productive and successful as a researcher in the days and years to come.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom:.0001pt; text-align:justify; margin:0in 0in 8pt\"><span style=\"font-size:11pt\"><span style=\"line-height:115%\"><span style=\"font-family:Calibri,sans-serif\"><b><span style=\"font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,sans-serif\">Related reading<\/span><\/b><span style=\"font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,sans-serif\">:<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"text-align: justify; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;\"><span style=\"font-size:11pt\"><span style=\"line-height:115%\"><span style=\"font-family:Calibri,sans-serif\"><span class=\"MsoHyperlink\" style=\"color:#0563c1\"><span style=\"text-decoration:underline\"><span style=\"font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,sans-serif\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.editage.com\/insights\/in-pursuit-of-contentment-how-to-align-personal-and-professional-goals-as-a-researcher\/\" style=\"color:#0563c1; text-decoration:underline\">In pursuit of contentment: How to align personal and professional goals as a researcher<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"text-align: justify; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;\"><span style=\"font-size:11pt\"><span style=\"line-height:115%\"><span style=\"font-family:Calibri,sans-serif\"><span class=\"MsoHyperlink\" style=\"color:#0563c1\"><span style=\"text-decoration:underline\"><span style=\"font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,sans-serif\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.editage.com\/insights\/10-survival-strategies-for-the-postdoc-life\/\" style=\"color:#0563c1; text-decoration:underline\">10 Survival strategies for the postdoc life<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"text-align: justify; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;\"><span style=\"font-size:11pt\"><span style=\"line-height:115%\"><span style=\"font-family:Calibri,sans-serif\"><span class=\"MsoHyperlink\" style=\"color:#0563c1\"><span style=\"text-decoration:underline\"><span style=\"font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,sans-serif\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.editage.com\/insights\/why-are-mental-health-problems-elevated-among-graduate-students\/\" style=\"color:#0563c1; text-decoration:underline\">Why are mental health problems elevated among graduate students?<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"text-align: justify; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;\"><span style=\"font-size:11pt\"><span style=\"line-height:115%\"><span style=\"font-family:Calibri,sans-serif\"><span class=\"MsoHyperlink\" style=\"color:#0563c1\"><span style=\"text-decoration:underline\"><span style=\"font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,sans-serif\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.editage.com\/insights\/4-effective-networking-tips-for-early-career-researchers\/\" style=\"color:#0563c1; text-decoration:underline\">4 Effective networking tips for early career researchers<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"text-align: justify; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;\"><span style=\"font-size:11pt\"><span style=\"line-height:115%\"><span style=\"font-family:Calibri,sans-serif\"><span class=\"MsoHyperlink\" style=\"color:#0563c1\"><span style=\"text-decoration:underline\"><span style=\"font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,sans-serif\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.editage.com\/insights\/a-russian-bogatyr-at-a-crossroads-how-i-became-part-of-the-reviewer-community\/\" style=\"color:#0563c1; text-decoration:underline\">A Russian bogatyr at a crossroads: How I became part of the reviewer community<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom:.0001pt; text-align:justify; margin:0in 0in 8pt\"><span style=\"font-size:11pt\"><span style=\"line-height:115%\"><span style=\"font-family:Calibri,sans-serif\"><b><span style=\"font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,sans-serif\">References<\/span><\/b><span style=\"font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,sans-serif\">:<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"text-align: justify; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;\"><span style=\"font-size:11pt\"><span style=\"line-height:115%\"><span style=\"font-family:Calibri,sans-serif\"><span class=\"MsoHyperlink\" style=\"color:#0563c1\"><span style=\"text-decoration:underline\"><span style=\"font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,sans-serif\"><a href=\"https:\/\/guides.library.cornell.edu\/annotatedbibliography\" style=\"color:#0563c1; text-decoration:underline\">How to Prepare an Annotated Bibliography: The Annotated Bibliography<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"text-align: justify; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;\"><span style=\"font-size:11pt\"><span style=\"line-height:115%\"><span style=\"font-family:Calibri,sans-serif\"><span class=\"MsoHyperlink\" style=\"color:#0563c1\"><span style=\"text-decoration:underline\"><span style=\"font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,sans-serif\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nature.com\/articles\/nj7656-175a\" style=\"color:#0563c1; text-decoration:underline\">Workplace habits: Full-time is full enough<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"text-align: justify; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;\"><span style=\"font-size:11pt\"><span style=\"line-height:115%\"><span style=\"font-family:Calibri,sans-serif\"><span class=\"MsoHyperlink\" style=\"color:#0563c1\"><span style=\"text-decoration:underline\"><span style=\"font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,sans-serif\"><a href=\"https:\/\/appfluence.com\/productivity\/prioritization-matrix\/\" style=\"color:#0563c1; text-decoration:underline\">Prioritization Matrix<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"text-align: justify; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;\"><span style=\"font-size:11pt\"><span style=\"line-height:115%\"><span style=\"font-family:Calibri,sans-serif\"><span class=\"MsoHyperlink\" style=\"color:#0563c1\"><span style=\"text-decoration:underline\"><span style=\"font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,sans-serif\"><a href=\"http:\/\/phdtalk.blogspot.com\/2013\/05\/teach-yourself-speed-reading.html\" style=\"color:#0563c1; text-decoration:underline\">Teach yourself Speed reading<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"text-align: justify; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;\"><span style=\"font-size:11pt\"><span style=\"line-height:115%\"><span style=\"font-family:Calibri,sans-serif\"><span class=\"MsoHyperlink\" style=\"color:#0563c1\"><span style=\"text-decoration:underline\"><span style=\"font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,sans-serif\"><a href=\"https:\/\/researchwhisperer.org\/2019\/11\/26\/forging-your-post-phd-during-your-phd\/\" style=\"color:#0563c1; text-decoration:underline\">Forging your post-PhD, during your PhD<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Research can be tough: more often than not, you are multitasking, chasing deadlines, handling operational tasks, and more. How can you take on these challenges headlong and be on top of your game? In this piece, we will take a look at some habits that will help ease your researcher life and help you become [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1532,"featured_media":33313,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[2370],"tags":[2516,2568,2483],"new_categories":[],"new_tags":[],"series":[],"class_list":["post-3290","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-career-advice-for-researchers","tag-career-advice-for-postdocs","tag-career-advice-for-researchers","tag-researcher-career"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v25.0 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>9 Habits of highly productive researchers | Editage Insights<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"habits of highly productive researchers\" \/>\n<meta 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