“Ask your coworkers’ to push back. The most basic way to understand what people think of you is to ask them. If you’re not soliciting dissent, it’s unlikely you’re hearing the truth about what it’s like to work [with] you.” – Ron Carucci
Academic conference fatigue is a growing concern where traditional programmes often lack the time for reflection and meaningful connections. However, there are alternatives, like communities and unconferences, which offer more sustainable and enriching forms of professional growth. This post proposes several strategies to improve conference experiences, including dedicated reflection time and “slow learning” tracks.
Stop letting your inbox dictate the outcomes of your day by aiming for at least 2 hours of email-free mornings.
Lean Coffee meetings help create clarity of purpose in your meetings, boosting productivity and focus. Previously, I’ve talked about how meetings should enhance your productivity, not impede it. And I gave a few suggestions that might help to think differently about the need for meetings in the first place. But let’s say the meeting is…
Meetings should enhance your productivity, not impede it. Be choosy (if you can) about the meetings you attend or schedule.
Replace lengthy email threads with brief face-to-face conversations. Learn how shifting complex discussions from your inbox to in-person meetings can save time, improve relationships, and create space for meaningful work.
Email’s dominance can derail schedules and usurp key tasks, causing stress and diminishing productivity. To prevent email from dictating your work life, establish strict boundaries, prioritise messages, reduce inbox noise, use management tools, and safeguard time for high-priority tasks. It’s crucial to reshape your email habits to prioritise your academic output.
Long, inefficient meetings have become normalised in academia, but they don’t have to be. Discover why most academic meetings can be completed in 30 minutes, and learn practical strategies to make your meetings more focused and productive. Transform time-consuming obligations into focused sessions that respect everyone’s need for deep work.