2019 postdoc resolutions’ update – September

September is a blur to me. I have lost half a week of work in terms of the hours worked, but I don’t know either when or why. 

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

Nothing new here, Qualisys most of the days, and I am still way behind. I have processed data for one team this month though. 

Progress: 2/3.

2. I will master one new statistical concept this year

Nothing to report here this month, mainly doing data processing and writing.

Progress: 0/3.

3. I will invest in relationships

I have done some networking this month. I am also preparing for a conference at the end of October. 

Progress: 2/3.

4. I will set up a healthy schedule/lifestyle

Bad month. But I did participate in my first weightlifting competition. That was an interesting experience. I have done 5 out of 6 lifts and definitely enjoyed the atmosphere. 

Sleep was down though, and so was nutrition.   

Overall:  2/3.

5. I will set up an outreach plan

I have done  #TheLeveragedPhD challenge this month again. It was a lot of fun. I have set up Twitter account and tried to do the challenge there too. In an attempt to achieve any consistency, I have set up Hootsuite. It worked well for the first week, but then I kind of gave up. The thing Hootsuite worked brilliantly for was LinkedIn though. Setting up the whole month of posts took me one hour. 

I have published a blog post on using templates on the www.AlternativePostdoc.com.

Progress: 3/3.

6. I will come up with (my dream) a job

No new applications. No replies to previous applications too. I have listened to the whole Academics Mean Business podcast series. It gave me some courage to explore other options than a traditional academic path. 

Progress: 0/3.

7. I will make a plan for the future (20 years)

I am still writing a book about writing. I did not stop. 

Progress: 2/3.

8. I will dare to start the project which I have always wanted to do but did not have a chance to realize

A passion project is progressing and making me proud. A full draft of the results’ publication has been sent to co-authors. It still needs some more work, but hopefully is closer to being submitted.

Progress: 3/3.   

9. Postdoc progress

I have finished processing data for the second team and started the third one. So much work still to be done… 

Progress: 3/3.

Summary for September

Learning (points 1 + 2 + 9) = 2 + 0 + 3 = 5  

Development (points 3 + 4 + 5) = 2 + 2 + 3 = 7

Future (points 6 + 7 + 8) = 0 + 2 + 3 = 5

This totals at 17 (out of 27) for September 2019. Not too bad.

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