Keeping up motivation in research: motivation-drainers and remedies. #PhD #phdlife #motivation

TL;DR

This video discusses various motivation zappers that scientists face and provides suggestions on how to overcome them.

Transcript

well everybody struggles with motivation at some point and doesn't even need an external force like a pandemic or some other calamity to zap our motivation there is plenty of things going on that can do that and in this video i go through a bunch of them and make some suggestions for how you can deal with it better and we're starting right now befo... Read More

Key Insights

• 😃 Maintaining motivation in science requires staying connected to the big question that sparked the experiment.
• 🤝 Dealing with rejection in academia involves taking constructive feedback and using setbacks as opportunities for improvement.
• 🤝 Building a strong community within the lab and connecting it to external situations can help deal with challenging circumstances.
• 🥺 Unrealistic goals and external pressures can lead to frustration and decreased motivation.

Questions & Answers

Q: How can scientists stay motivated during repetitive and boring lab work?

It is essential to always remember the exciting big question that motivated the experiment in the first place. Connecting the repetitive work to the overall goal and breaking it up with enjoyable activities can help maintain motivation.

Q: How can scientists cope with rejection in academia?

Rejections are common, and it is important to view them as opportunities for improvement. Take some time to process the initial frustration, but then revisit the reviewer comments to find constructive feedback that can help improve your work.

Q: How can scientists deal with challenging external situations, like a pandemic?

Building a strong community within the lab can provide support during difficult times. Connecting the lab's work to the situation can also make scientists feel more useful. Additionally, collaborating and finding ways to contribute to the situation can help maintain motivation.

Q: What should scientists do when they feel frustrated and fall behind on their goals?

It is crucial to assess whether the goals are realistic and if there is an expectation of achieving too much too soon. Seeking input from mentors and colleagues can help in determining realistic goals. It is also important to evaluate whether these goals are truly what one wants or if they are influenced by external pressures.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Lab work can be repetitive and boring, but staying connected to the big question that motivated the experiment can help maintain motivation. It is also important to break up the boring bits with other enjoyable activities and stay curious.

• Dealing with rejection in academia is challenging, but it is important to view it as an opportunity to improve. Taking constructive feedback from reviewers and learning from setbacks can help regain motivation.

• Challenging external situations, like a pandemic, can be major motivation zappers. Building a strong community within the lab and connecting the lab's work or tools to the situation can help maintain motivation.

• Frustration arises when goals are not reached, and it is important to assess whether the goals are realistic and if they are one's own or set by others. Unrealistic expectations and external pressures can lead to frustration and loss of motivation.

• Science is often perceived as a lonely endeavor, but collaboration, networking, and maintaining a work-life balance can help overcome this and promote motivation.