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Jo VanEvery

You are here: Home / Archives for Ethos & Influences / Learned from Dad

Learned from Dad

B&W photo of my dad and toddler-me.I have realized that I've learned a lot from my dad about how to take risks, the importance of enjoying your work, how to run a business, and trust. He usually did not sit down to teach me these things explicitly but modelled them. Sometimes I share these lessons with you and apply them to issues that you face. (image: Me & Dad circa 1967)

A person walks past a wall of bookshelves quickly on a low shutter speed causing the figure to blur across the screen from right to left. Image used abstractly to convey movement between careers, time, spaces, and personal circumstances or attitudes.

Reflections on 20 years of self-employment

Posted on April 23, 2025 by Jo VanEvery

Jo VanEvery, Academic Career Guide · Reflections on 20 years of self-employment In April 2005, I found myself unemployed. April 2025 marks 20 years of self-employment. My approach (and my advice) is often to take stock of the context, look at the opportunities available, and pick something to try. As I said in a post […]

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A photo of a person sat in a hammock next to a lake.

You can get better at resting

Posted on May 10, 2024 by Jo VanEvery

Jo VanEvery, Academic Career Guide · You can get better at resting As I return from a week of annual leave, I have a few thoughts on rest I’d like to share. I talk about rest a lot, not just because it’s necessary but also because it is objectively difficult. I hope these musings help. […]

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Remembering my dad, John B VanEvery

Posted on January 3, 2023 by Jo VanEvery

My father, John Byron VanEvery, died on Christmas Day. He was 92. He died at home in his own bed, as he wished. Several years ago, I started writing about things I’d learned from him and created a category for those posts. I also want to share an edited version of what I wrote on […]

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A blue and white striped picnic blanket sits on a white sandy beach with a straw hat, an open book, a disposable film camera, a pair of sunglasses, a mustard yellow cardigan, a small satsuma and a canned beverage in a cooler displayed on top.

How to take a vacation

Posted on June 9, 2021 by Jo VanEvery

Jo VanEvery, Academic Career Guide · How to take a vacation Just because your work doesn’t always look like work, doesn’t mean you don’t get to take a real vacation. You already deserve this vacation; it’s not a reward for achieving summer goals. In fact, not only do you deserve a vacation, you need a […]

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A bench looking out to a purple / orange hazy sunset.

Resting & recharging is preparation for the new academic year

Posted on July 17, 2020 by Jo VanEvery

This post was originally written during a time when many universities and workplaces had shifted to remote work in response to the COVID pandemic. Although circumstances have now changed for many people, much of what I say in this post still applies. Jo VanEvery, Academic Career Guide · Resting & recharging is preparing for the […]

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A person walking with a walker in a beige coat and trousers.

Using the supports you need: Part 2

Posted on July 26, 2017 by Jo VanEvery

Jo VanEvery, Academic Career Guide · Using the supports you need, part 2 I have written previously about how I learned in yoga that it can be helpful to use supports in your practice. I’ve been thinking about this principle again recently in a different way. I think this might help you see the difference […]

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Permission to think big thoughts

Posted on February 10, 2011 by Jo VanEvery 1 Comment

If you don’t make and protect time for thinking big thoughts, writing, and other research tasks no one else will.

Research doesn’t always look like real work, especially to outsiders, but it is. In this post, I give you some tips on valuing that work for yourself and on finding time to do it regularly.

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painted image of hills with paths on them, the back of a person's head & shoulders in the foreground and the sun rising over the hills in the background.

You can take your time

Posted on February 3, 2011 by Jo VanEvery 2 Comments

Your dissertation is not an end. It is a beginning.

Getting a tenure track job (or equivalent academic appointment) is not an end. It is a beginning.

And even if your ultimate goal is “Be a full-professor, with an international reputation in my field.” (and it’s okay if that isn’t your goal), you aren’t going to get there in 3-5 years.

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black and white photo of a person holding a hand up to the camera in a "stop" gesture with palm facing outwards and all fingers stretched up. The outstretched hand covers the person's face with dept of field perspective.

The importance of quitting

Posted on January 10, 2011 by Jo VanEvery

Jo VanEvery, Academic Career Guide · The importance of quitting Quitting has a bad rap. Winners never quit and quitters never win. When the going gets tough, the tough keep going. I can see how you don’t want to give up at the first hurdle, but sometimes quitting is actually a good option. The option […]

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