2021-04-01 10:40:54

Motivation

“Whatever is worth doing at all is worth doing well.”
- Philip Stanhope, 4th Earl of Chesterfield

“Anything not worth doing is worth not doing well.”
- Robert Fulghum

Your time and energy are limited, use them wisely.

[Gerd Altmann](https://pixabay.com/users/geralt-9301/)/Pixabay

Gerd Altmann/Pixabay

General thoughts

Start with the big picture

  • Why do I want to do this project?
  • How will a certain project fit my overall (career/life) plans?
  • Remember that one Yes means many No’s.
[ijmaki](https://pixabay.com/users/ijmaki-1797813/)/Pixabay

ijmaki/Pixabay

What is your big picture? How do your current projects fit? Are you conscious of your Yes/No balance?

Define tangible goals

  • Define tangible goals/outcomes/deliverables for your project.
    • Not that good: “My goal is to write a paper.”
    • Better: “My goal is to have a paper submitted within 12 months to a 1st tier journal.”
  • Use e.g. the SMART approach (specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, time-based) or something similar.