Summer is coming

Summer is coming...and for many, it's here. But, what does summer even mean amidst stay-at-home or safer-at-home, and most likely, work from home mandates? The good news is that even when you're stuck at home, summer goes fast. The bad news is that even when you're stuck at home, summer goes fast. By my calculation, we have 13 weeks before the start of the Fall 2020 semester at CU. And, at risk of repeating a cliche, given these uncertain and unpredictable times, it's important to strategize, even when you feel like doing anything but.

Below, are things to consider as you look to the summer and trying to build and maintain your health and positive mindset, but also begin to think about re-crafting your research agenda given the current climate.

Take a Break
Particularly if you've been in the throes of moving courses online quickly for the spring semester, and even if you haven't, you've likely been in the throes of everything else, you need to take a break from work. So, give yourself that! Set down the courses, papers, proposals, reviews, etc. and rest. You won't find any productivity if you burn out.

Go back to your long-term goal
Once you've properly rested, chances are you have some reconfiguring to do. How is your research agenda being affected by COVID and how do you anticipate it will be affected moving forward? To plan through this barrier, it's good to think back to your long-term research goal. Likely your overarching research objective is still the same, but perhaps how you'll get there will change or you need to take more time to get there. Being realistic about what's possible will help you to hone in on where your focus should be this summer.

Set summer goals
Once you've honestly reassessed your research agenda, identify what benchmarks are reasonable for you to make steps forward during the summer. What can you do so you are feeling strong and prepared to continue moving forward in the fall? Maybe now is a time to get your articles submitted and to start doing the footwork for planning for your next grant proposal. Maybe COVID has presented a research opportunity and you can continue with your research in a slightly different direction.

Create a schedule
Once you've identified what might be reasonable for you this summer, create a schedule. You might want to start off just trying to write an hour a day and then gradually increase that to about three hours a day. Make sure that you stick to your schedule and find a place to work that you can focus. Once you have your schedule and your place, continue your routine to build your habits. I'm reminded of Steven King's habits of sitting in the same place every day, having a glass of water and taking a vitamin. He does these simple things ritually to let his mind and body know that it's time to write. Try building these sorts of habits.

If you miss a goal, let it go
Although these habits and repetitive scheduling can help you to be productive, it's important to not let it be the determiner of your success. For instance, if you're not able to meet a goal or not able to write for a full hour one day, let it go, and come back the next day. And, don't try to force yourself to make up for it by writing twice as much the next day, just let it go and carry on.

Remember, in all, be patient with yourself and your loved ones. Your research will move forward and be great; it just might look a little different.

Resources:
Time Well Spent: How Researchers Can Stay Productive in the Time of COVID-19 - Deborah Watkins Bruner
Harness Your Clean Slate Moment - Katelyn Knox
Planning a Productive Summer - The Chronicle of Higher Education
No More Post-Summer Regret - InsideHigherEd