Jo VanEvery, Academic Career Guide · Introducing That Selfish Bastard A couple of recent client conversations renewed my motivation to write more about managing the number of things you are juggling. Those conversations made me realize that you want to say yes to things. You value community, collaboration, and collegiality. There’s just a lot more going […]
Read More »Developing a Practice
Your academic life is more than a string of articles published, classes taught, and meetings attended. You write because this is how you articulate and develop your ideas. You publish to communicate those ideas to others. Posts in this category help you develop the practices you need to do the work you love well without burning out or compromising your values.
You Need a Writing Practice is a good place to start to investigate the Writing subcategory.
Juggling 101: Elements of a good plan is a good place to start investigating the Planning subcategory.
Sabbatical + book contract = overwhelm?
I received this query at the end of August 2016: “I’m writing you today because I’m looking for some coaching for writing my first academic book. I have a fall sabbatical and a book contract to write a book on the research that I did over the past two years. I’m feeling overwelmed by all […]
Read More »
Is your office inspiring?
I recently moved from Canada to the UK. After several months of temporary accommodation, I am now in the new house. Although we now live in a town, rather than out in the country, my office has a beautiful view of farmland. We are right on the edge of the Peak District. The town is in a […]
Read More »
Do good work!
How often have you been in this position? Unable to move a project forward because you want to do your best? ‘Best’ is a distraction. Best is an abstract goal. It is impossible to meet because there are no concrete indicators. Furthermore, best is a moving target. Future You will be a better scholar and writer […]
Read More »
The role of journal editors in long review times
Jo VanEvery, Academic Career Guide · The role of journal editors in long review times This is part of a short series addressing the frustration with how long peer review takes. Other posts in this series include The frustrations of peer review and How you, as a peer reviewer, can contribute to a better process. […]
Read More »
How you, as a peer reviewer, can contribute to a better process
Jo VanEvery, Academic Career Guide · How you, as a peer reviewer, can contribute to a better process This is part of a short series addressing the frustration with how long peer review takes. Other posts in this series include The Frustrations of Peer Review and The Role of Journal Editors in Long Review Times. […]
Read More »
The frustrations of peer review: why is it taking so long?
Jo VanEvery, Academic Career Guide · The frustrations of peer review: Why is it taking so long? This is part of a short series addressing the frustration with how long peer review takes. Other posts in this series include How you, as a peer reviewer, can contribute to a better process and The Role of Journal […]
Read More »Time Management isn’t primarily a technical problem
First published in the Careers Cafe at University Affairs. Republished with permission. Everyone struggles with time management. Everyone. If it were just a matter of accurately estimating how long things would take and then allocating time to do those tasks, it wouldn’t be such a big problem. Perhaps you would be able to make a rational argument […]
Read More »
A story from… A Meeting With Your Writing
Jo VanEvery, Academic Career Guide · A Story from A Meeting With Your Writing If you’re a long-time member or someone new researching how you can add some accountability to your writing goals, here is a story from A Meeting With Your Writing – my weekly series of virtual writing groups to help you learn […]
Read More »
Writing is NOT a reward for getting your grading done
Jo VanEvery, Academic Career Guide · Writing is not a reward for getting your grading done Grading is dispiriting at the best of times. There is too much of it to do, to a very tight deadline. And despite the occasional brilliant paper or clear demonstration that students are getting it, there are too many […]
Read More »
The frustrations of being a dedicated teacher.
Jo VanEvery, Academic Career Guide · The frustrations of being a dedicated teacher You are a dedicated teacher. You want your students to learn. When you take that ethical obligation seriously, and work hard to make it possible for students to learn and do well, it can be frustrating when students seem not to make […]
Read More »When your writing project needs to be left alone
Sometimes what your project needs to move forward is to be left alone so the ideas can mull, ferment, or percolate in the back of your mind. This stage will feel painful, unproductive, and like you are procrastinating. Strategies for the mulling phase Physical work is a good option. Our brains work better when we are […]
Read More »
