Productivity

As an assistant professor, especially in the first couple of years, so much is new. It’s easy to feel as if we’re never fully prepared for anything.

It's hard to believe that we’ve already arrived at the final post in the Leading Life series! Where has the time gone? We’ll wrap up by spending a few minutes focusing on… focus.

The message that’s been buzzing around me over the past couple of weeks is this: “Less prep, more presence.”

In this post, I’ll concentrate on a simple and poweful technique called “daily questions,” recommended by Marshall Goldsmith.

I know we’re all busy—thus, the need to say no!—so let’s dive right in. The next time you’re presented with a request, how about giving the following steps a try?

So why am I sitting here staring at a blank computer screen rather than happily typing away, letting the words magically flow from my fingers? Because I’ve got nothing. Sound familiar? Sigh. Resistance sucks.

I easily get stuck in what I’m doing, possibly because I sometimes have the ability to be focused and determined (generally a good thing) and possibly because I find it impossible to leave well enough alone.

What’s nagging at me is the suspicion that my swiftfootedness is tied less to some deep sense of clarity and more to my status as a card-carrying member of the productivity-junkie (aka pro-junk) club.

Leaps of faith can be thrilling. Excitement courses through our veins. We see endless possibility. We’ve got the world on a string.

Has your brain been in overdrive lately? Mine certainly has. If you’re like me, you’ve been both blessed and cursed with a brain that never stops.

I have an unfortunate tendency to feel burdened by a sense of responsibility and obligation. Thankfully, I’ve stumbled upon some simple strategies that have helped me deal with almost any to-do list.

Welcome to the very first post of The STANDOUT Professor blog! The overarching goal of The STANDOUT Professor community is to help faculty and leaders who challenge stereotypes thrive. I hope that you’ll feel a sense of belonging here and that the resources on the site will make your life at least a little easier… happier… better.