Last update for this year. What a year it has been! Although I would love to have done more things (obviously), I can’t really complain. I have been logging my work hours for the last few years and I know that this year was super productive for me. Also, this exercise of updating my new year resolutions every month was great in keeping me informed on my accomplishments and progress – the things otherwise would escape my attention.
In academia, we have a tendency to focus on what needs to be fixed rather than successes. This has been an awesome year and I am super happy to have these updates to look back on. Maybe I should keep doing them for the next year? I have not decided yet.
I will go through 9 categories and try to score them from 0 to 3, where 0 is no progress, 1 is tiny progress, 2 is some progress and 3 is gigantic progress.
1. I will learn a new research method this year
I would say that a new research method I have explored this year was a systematic review of online resources. A systematic review method is quite established by now, but somehow reviewing the online resources proves to be difficult. As challenging as it is, we need it so much!
Progress: 3/3.
2. I will master one new statistical concept this year
Learning stats is a journey for me. As I am still processing data from my postdoc study, I had only an opportunity to do some exploratory analysis. More stats doing and learning to come in the new year.
Progress: 2/3.
3. I will invest in relationships
I have managed to keep my collaborators this year! And I have added some more. That’s a great success. I am so inspired by the people who what to do research with me.
Progress: 3/3.
4. I will set up a healthy schedule/lifestyle
I am still working on taking care of myself. It amazes me how easy it is to sacrifice my health to get the work done…
Overall: 2/3.
5. I will set up an outreach plan
It was a great year to learn about outreach. I have started this blog to write about research. I have written 30 blog posts, just like that, as a distraction from the “proper” research work. I know that some people find my posts helpful which makes me so happy. I would love to know more about what would be useful for you, reader, so please let me know in the comments or send me a message.
I have set up the HealthyLivingScience research group with a website and a blog. This is where we host this year’s passion project results. (It’s a database of online injury prevention exercise programs – just in case you were curious).
I am in a process of setting up one more science communication website focused on the topic of my postdoc which is sports injury prevention www.GirlChampionProject.com. I have started a few posts and an exited to lunch it around March or April 2020.
@alternative.postdoc Instagram account has given me a sense of community, I so needed doing a postdoc abroad. Especially, that I don’t really speak the language, so find it hard to network. Through Insta I have connected with some awesome people I later met in person! This was a highlight of this year for sure! This account is growing slowly, so I think it is time to make it more useful for the people who follow it. I have a few ideas to test next year.
I have started to post on LinkedIn regularly and had some people reach out and talk about what I write. Technology is amazing!
I have started Twitter for @alternative_postdoc but I so failed in nurturing it! Maybe it was just too much in the midst of data processing, traveling for conferences and looking for jobs…
Progress: 3/3.
6. I will come up with (my dream) a job
Still applying for jobs in Tokyo and thinking hard about the U.S. and Australia.
Also thinking about some digital endeavors.
Progress: 1/3.
7. I will make a plan for the future (20 years)
Every day is about thinking…
Progress: 1/3.
8. I will dare to start the project which I have always wanted to do but did not have a chance to realize
Success all the way! Passion project resulted in establishing a research group, attending a conference, visiting a uni in Australia.
Progress: 3/3.
9. Postdoc progress
A bit behind the schedule (a lot – to be really honest), but it couldn’t be helped so I will not beat myself up over it. I have given this project all I had this year, and am proud of the results it brings.
Progress: 3/3.
Summary for Decembder and the end of year
Learning (points 1 + 2 + 9) = 3 + 1 + 3 = 7
Development (points 3 + 4 + 5) = 3 + 2 + 3 = 8
Future (points 6 + 7 + 8) = 1 + 1 + 3 = 5
Total 20 points (out of 27).
This is it. The first year for this blog is over. The first year I have made research-related new year resolutions is over.
How was your year? I am super curious to hear how was your year.