Transitioning from corporate to academia requires the transferrable skills of time management, effective communication, collaborative spirit, and most importantly, prioritizing goals. The balance of instruction, research, publications, campus service, and community & industry outreach can be a weekly and semester-long marathon. In the midst of the responsibilities your personal goals are often sidelined as "when I have the time...".
In our pandemic articles widely circulate to remind people of "self-care" - meditation, exercise, rest. I would posit to academia to live in the moment of the classroom, grading, meetings, committees, scholarly activities, then turn off the lights. Close the laptop, end the double-booked Zoom of meetings and focus on YOU. What were your ambitions in higher education? When was the last time you created your own digital vision board? What steps have you taken to hone your craft, enlarge your network, research your next level? We often encourage our students to remain focused on "the next level or chapter in their lives", but what about you?
During this winter holiday season of rest and year-end reflection, I challenge you to use your "when I have the time" to refocus your goals in academia. What is your "next chapter" and your methodology of researching those results?
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