4 Strategies to Build Sustainable Motivation in Academia
When working towards big goals in academia, it’s easy to get caught up in looking ahead at future milestones.
Indeed, we often find ourselves constantly looking forward to the next milestone: the next paper to publish, a thesis to complete, the next grant proposal to write, etc.
For PhD students and postdocs, this approach can be quite overwhelming and counterproductive, leading to lower motivation and, sometimes, a loss of purpose and/or fulfillment.
In today’s newsletter, I want to share how looking backward – consciously acknowledging your progress and achievements – can be a game-changer for both your wellbeing and academic success.
4 strategies to harness the power of looking backward
#1 | Celebrate small wins actively
Transform the way you view progress by actively listing your achievements, no matter how small they seem. A successful experiment, a submitted abstract, a new connection in your network, or mentoring a student – these are all victories worth acknowledging.
#2 | Reframe setbacks as skill-builders
Even when experiments fail or projects don’t go as planned, shift your focus to the valuable competencies you’re developing. Every challenge builds critical thinking, patience, resilience, and adaptability. These skills are crucial for your long-term success, regardless of immediate results.
#3 | Break down overwhelming tasks
When future goals feel daunting, use SMART objectives (specific, measurable, attainable, realistic, and time-bound) to break them into manageable chunks. This approach makes progress more visible and maintains motivation by creating clear, achievable milestones.
#4 | Honor your unique journey
Remember that every academic path is different, influenced by factors like supervisors, infrastructure, host institutes, and external circumstances (even pandemics!). Instead of comparing yourself to others, focus on your own progress and growth. The most important competition is with yourself – not to be better than others, but to be better than you were yesterday.
📢 The Take-Home Message
💡The path through academia isn’t linear!
💡Looking backward (instead of only forward) at your progress can be a powerful source of sustainable motivation
💡Acknowledge how far you’ve come and realize the resilience and confidence you’re building through the process.
… And, as I often say…
🔥Trust the process!
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