Back to the Grind: Finding Footing in a New Normal
We are officially back from our summer break hiatus! About five months have passed since the start of the novel coronavirus pandemic, and the world as we know it has shifted drastically. Although the threat of the virus has not waned, society from a global standpoint has long sought to shift back into a routine of some sorts. Some of us are preparing to physically transition back to academic and professional spaces and are reconciling with the mental gymnastics that accompany that transition. Others are navigating how to be effective as possible within a virtual space. When factoring in concerns of personal and communal health and safety, potential disruptions of routines and deadlines, and general uncertainty surrounding daily life, it is humanly inevitable that our motivation may be impacted along the journey as we navigate what has been dubbed a “new normal”.Thankfully Rice University’s Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies department addresses these concerns by providing strategies for doctoral students regarding staying motivated that can be largely applicable in the professional environment as we seek to persevere despite being in the thick of a pandemic.
Set small, daily goals: I love to-do list post-it notes. I am definitely a big picture person and sometimes details can escape me so these daily lists allow me to prioritize what I need to accomplish for the day or week and subsequently helps me to avoid feeling overwhelmed. Furthermore, meeting small daily goals builds self efficacy and confidence which proves to be valuable when larger tasks arise. As doctoral students engaging in the writing process, we would often set a goal of acquiring and reading a certain number of articles within a specific time frame that could be added to our literature review, or having a certain number of paragraphs or pages written by the end of our writing session. These small goals allowed us to stay on track and move forward toward set deadlines.
Carve out time in your day for work and for relaxation: This is pertinent to stress management and mental wellness, especially during a pandemic. When the US largely shut down in March, my job and the class I taught transitioned virtually overnight, which at times presented a steep learning curve. I often found myself working beyond my normal contract hours and mourned the work-life balance I had previously created. I grew to thoroughly relish those few hours after I put my son to bed, that my husband and I could catch up on our favorite shows and with each other about the day’s events. Towards the end of my contract date, I finally resigned to get as much of my daily tasks accomplished as I could, and then end my day at the prescribed time, in an effort to avoid burnout. Normalize unwinding and relaxing at the set beginning and/or end of a work day and plan your play!
Try pomodoro study sessions — social distance style: This is especially beneficial for doctoral students who thrive on social collaboration with peers and cohort members. The pomodoro technique prioritizes working in 25 minute burts with 5 minute breaks in between. The opportunity for silent work coupled with a break for verbal processing, addressing questions, or small talk utilizing Zoom or Facetime with colleagues can prove to boost motivation, morale, and efficiency. The article provided by Rice University even outlines apps such as Tomato Timer and Focus Keeper that help to keep your pomodoro sessions on track.
Prioritize your mental health: Adhering to this piece of advice can take on many forms and it would be beneficial to implement a differentiated approach. Incorporating activities such as eating well, moving your body physically, actively taking lunch breaks, recharging your body through adequate sleep, having virtual meet-ups with friends, and engaging with relaxing games and puzzles serve to positively increase overall wellness by reducing anxiety, which keep us motivated in the long run. Be sure to limit anxiety-inducing activities such as social media and pandemic-related news consumption.
Be okay with not being highly productive right now: Moment of transparency. I almost changed the title of this particular piece of advice. It made me nervous. After thinking it through however, I realized that I needed to keep the wording of the title the same as the original article, because it highlights the internal struggle that many of us are experiencing as academics and professionals in terms of survival. It’s important to remember that none of us have ever navigated a worldwide pandemic involving a highly transmissible and deadly novel virus, which in itself can elicit a trauma response that shows up in all facets of life. In all honesty, our level of motivation will likely ebb and flow, and if we don't check off everything on our daily and weekly to-do lists, it really is ok. Our current times have largely required major life adjustments, which is why it is important to prioritize, give ourselves grace, and relax and recharge so that we are equipped to tackle the challenges of tomorrow.
We want to know how have you managed to stay motivated throughout the pandemic? As we enter a new fiscal and academic year, how can you adopt some of the practices we’ve covered. We love engaging with you all so be sure to drop us a line in the comments! And remember to:
Wear a mask.
Wash your hands.
Drink water.
Engage in Self-Care.
