Five ways to stay on track with your research

At the start of your academic career, you will be confronted with multiple demands. You may feel like you’re drowning in a sea of new responsibilities a chaotic world away from the relative sanctuary of postdoctoral studies. You may despair at finding the time for research in the merry-go-round of committee meetings, teaching and mentoring that is part of modern academia. Yet, there remains an ever-present imperative and expectation for research output.

These five practical steps will put you on the path towards consistently achieving your research goals.

• Develop a research career plan. Start by creating a list of your priorities and deadlines. Draw up a plan where you outline what you want to achieve in both the long and the short term. Work backwards from your final goal’s deadline and split your project into small achievable steps, each with its own deadlines. Be realistic and set reasonable goals. If you are too ambitious, you run the risk of burnout or may lose motivation when you fall behind your deadlines. Try to stretch yourself a bit, slightly out of your comfort zone, to ensure you are making progress.
• Manage your time efficiently. Set aside time to work regularly on your research. Create to-do lists to develop and sustain momentum. Meaningful progress on your research goals requires commitment. Reflect. Work on your research often whether during short bursts of time or, if you are lucky, during consolidated periods (i.e., research days). Protect your time by informing students and staff of your focus time when you should not be disturbed.
• Create an enabling environment. Close your office door when you need to block off time for research work. Avoid unnecessary distractions like social media and emails, and only respond to urgent requests. Enlist the help of an accountability partner who will keep you focused.
• Beware of procrastination. Stay motivated and observe when your resolve and commitment may be flagging. You may, for example, prioritise other less important tasks, such as replying to non-essential emails or needlessly engaging with other staff or students on matters that could be resolved later. Often, procrastination is driven by a lack of confidence. Train yourself to engage with research often so that you develop good habits and flex your research muscles. It will make procrastinating less tempting. Also, use the time when you are at your sharpest to tackle your research endeavours, and delay more routine tasks to times when you are less efficient.
• Reward yourself. As you complete tasks along the way and achieve milestones in your project plan, be sure to reward yourself. Have a short break to reflect on what you have achieved and recharge your batteries in preparation for the next research stint.

In conclusion, give yourself the best opportunity to create the structure, rhythm and consistency for achieving your research goals. Review your research plan periodically, and if necessary, update your milestones and goals to ensure that they are always realistic and achievable.

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