
Calm productivity for academics
This site is now an archive of my previous work. I have moved all my ongoing writing to https://michael-rowe.github.io/home-michael/
Many academics avoid asking for help, fearing it signals incompetence. This reluctance often leads to longer struggles and missed opportunities for growth. Learn why asking for help in academia isn’t just acceptable – it’s essential for career development, and how building a network of mentors benefits both you and others.
Feeling exhausted yet unfulfilled in your academic work? The solution might surprise you. Instead of working less, maybe the solution is to work harder on what truly matters. Redirecting your effort toward meaningful goals can transform your relationship with academic work and boost your career impact.
In So Good They Can’t Ignore You, Cal Newport argues that true career satisfaction comes from building rare, valuable skills rather than “following your passion.” For academics, focusing on skill development rather than elusive passions fosters control, mission, and fulfillment in higher education careers, where impact and autonomy matter most.