I apologize if we covered this recently, but I thought today was as good a day as any to share the nuggets of wisdom we've learned in graduate school. Let's share the love!
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I'll start: Try to put your perfectionism on the shelf. I've seen way too many peers (and me!) overcome by fears about "not doing their best," resulting in them not publishing, not applying for grants, or not taking on new opportunities. If I've learned anything from SMART goals (), it's that "trying our best" is rarely measurable or realistic. Moreover, our "best" is going to be based on where we're at developmentally in our career, and we're not going to get better unless we practice taking on new opportunities. I'm not saying to forgo any standards, but accept the fact that your work will never be perfect, and that your work has no chance to even be good if you don't do it.
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I'll start: Try to put your perfectionism on the shelf. I've seen way too many peers (and me!) overcome by fears about "not doing their best," resulting in them not publishing, not applying for grants, or not taking on new opportunities. If I've learned anything from SMART goals (), it's that "trying our best" is rarely measurable or realistic. Moreover, our "best" is going to be based on where we're at developmentally in our career, and we're not going to get better unless we practice taking on new opportunities. I'm not saying to forgo any standards, but accept the fact that your work will never be perfect, and that your work has no chance to even be good if you don't do it.