Over the past few days I've been reading the blog-o-sphere's collective resolutions for the new year and see that many have been giving, instead, a theme to the year. I think it's a great idea! I've never been much for specific resolutions anyway (I know that if I won't stick to a new exercise program that I start in the middle of June, I probably won't stick to it at the beginning of January either...)
2008 was a year full of not so nice things. And I got myself into a major rut of negative thinking, so I think I'm going to declare 2009 the year of positive thinking. I'll try everyday in little ways to turn my thought patterns around and try to see that glass as half full!
For some inexplicable reason, I'm already feeling quite positive about this year. I think I'll make a list of the positive changes to make and keep some running updates on them in the coming months...
For starters:
In professional life:
1. Finish up PhD project in the lab, mostly tying up loose ends, cataloging and handing over reagents
2. Test cool hypothesis for current project (it's crazy, but if it turns out to be true it could be HUGE). Thanks Candid Engineer for the challenge :)
3. Make a finalized list of where to apply for postdocs (I'm so darn excited to do something different!)
4. Update CV (I did this when I printed my thesis, but I have a new invited talk to add and *hopefully soon* a publication from my PhD) and secure those reference letters
5. Write those application emails and send them with lots of positivity that I'll hear back and one of them will turn out to be *the* place to go.
6. Spend more time on experiments that take me forward rather than just treading water.
7. Prepare and deliver a killer talk at that conference coming up soon....
And in my personal life:
1. Treat my body better. Make it run, jump, skip, laugh, sing and feed it good things. I haven't been taking care of myself in the last while, and I need to realize that I'm worth it and the time it takes to care for myself properly.
2. Hold onto that hope! I've mentioned that we've been trying to extend our family and haven't been so successful to date. But I have a feeling this time around will be better (and to show it I even bought a beautiful little 2-4month outfit on Saturday to use for our future little one)
3. Move us into an environment with a better support system. I'd love to be closer to family and/or friends, but that might be tough, so at least find somewhere that feels more like home, and less transient that the usual grad school, postdoc length temporary home feeling.
4. Work on that cognitive training workbook I've kept neatly tucked in a drawer for the last half year. It's time to work on those skills
It's going to be a great year!
Pumpkin Cheesecake
3 days ago
I hope it's a wonderful year for you. Remember to show that excitement for new projects when you apply and interview. Apart from boosting your chances of getting hired, it's lovely for those of us who are a bit bored and jaded to see someone happy and eager about what she does.
ReplyDeleteThanks Katie! I hope that I can make it last....
ReplyDeleteI really love your theme, and I wish you the best of luck with everything. (If you ever want to talk about TTC send me an email - it took us 17 months.)
ReplyDeleteAnd to follow up on your yoga comment at my place. Find a beginners class and try it out. If you don't feel like you are going to click with the instructor, try a different class. I tried yoga a few times before I found a class environment that worked for me. Luckily, it was a bunch of scientists and it was right in my work building. Here at MU I'm not so fortunate, so I'll be hunting for a class too.
I hope everything works out. It took us three years to conceive our DD - if it helps, please feel free to share with us.
ReplyDelete