Academic Encouragement

Good morning! Oftentimes we see other people's success, but rarely do we see the effort that went into it. Likewise, we often see our own work but overlook our own success. Try not to compare yourself to others- you don't always see the whole picture.

Heya! Don't forget to trust your instincts today- you know more than you think you do! You're very capable and you have worked hard to become so. Trust that you know what's best for you!

Well hello you special someone! Sometimes the work we do isn't always apparent to others. In these moments, it's important to keep believing in yourself, even as you try to figure out why that's happening. I know you've got this!

Hi there! I want to acknowledge the people who don't have great support outside of academia, who are more vulnerable to challenges. It can be hard when you have to be resilient alone. I hope you feel a little less lonely today, knowing that others see your struggles.

Hello! I've noticed that when work doesn't go well, I tend to dig in my heels and work harder, suggesting that I wasn't working hard enough to begin with. Resting and stepping back for clarity is often the best step. It's ok!

Howdy folks! If things aren't working the way you want, try exploring new ideas! A different perspective, a new level of analysis, or even just showing the outcome visually can enrichen your understanding about what you need to do to move forward.

Good morning! It's important to keep in mind that while we think of anger as a bad emotion, it can often be good for creating change. If something comes up today, look at what is causing the anger and get to the root of what may need to change for all of us. Good luck today!

Hello everyone! Don't forget how important the communities around us are for having those deeply insightful ideas. Even if you don't have that community in your lab group or your department, try looking outside academia. The world around us is an inspiring place! Good luck!

Well hello! In a chaotic world, what ways can you create structure and stability so that you're better able to focus on what needs your attention? Are there tasks you can automate? Ways you can reorganize? People you can ask for help? All of these are good!

Good morning! I hope you take a moment today to be proud of yourself for your accomplishments! Update your CVs and notice all the wonderful things you have done. Even if you don't have anything to add, I'm proud of you for your resilience and continued effort. Have a great day!

Well hello! It's always good to check in on our own self-care. What do you need right now? To relax? To do the thing you've been avoiding that's been stressing you out? To take a moment and just enjoy your coffee, or go for a walk? Do it! You'll feel better!

Well hello there! It's always a good day for a joke: What do protons and life coaches have in common? They know how to stay positive!

Well hello! There's a lot going on, and it can be hard to be our best selves for those around us if we're not fully ourselves. Try taking a moment and really enjoy that first sip of coffee/tea, observe the weather outside, and really notice the way you feel in your own skin.

Hi there! Are you holding yourself back in some ways to protect the people around you? You're doing yourself a disservice. Stop giving yourself more work by doing so, and let them deal with it- they might not be as inconvenienced by it as you think!

Good morning! If things seem harder than they should be, try letting go and see if a natural path opens up for you. Sometimes our best options are those we haven't even thought of yet!

Well hello! Sometimes it's absolutely necessary to say no to something or someone in order to maintain balance and peace. It's ok to do so. If that's what you need, have an honest conversation about why, and it may strengthen a good relationship more than you might expect.

Good morning! It really builds a sense of community and accomplishment when we acknowledge the successes of others. By up-lifting others, we improve our own networks and our own chances of success!

Hello! Today's a great day to not get caught up in proscriptive pedantic dogma. (Actually it's always a great day to not get caught up in drama.) Ignore what others say and give yourself credit for what you know. You're the expert on your own abilities.

Hi there! When you think about judgement, often it comes with the assumption that we have all the details. In reality, we often judge others without having many details at all. Give people grace if you can. We're all trying our best!

Hello! It can be challenging sometimes balancing other people's needs with your own projects you need to move forward. Sometimes prioritizing others needs can help us re-evaluate our own, but it can also hinder your own progress. Which is it for you today? Have a great one!

Hi there! It's important to not overlook the small details when we try to find balance. Today, have you: cleaned your computer screen? Gotten some exercise? Drank some water? Looked away from the screen to rest your eyes? Then you're doing great!

Hello you wonderful people! I'm proud of you for managing to find a work-life balance, however imperfectly. There's a lot of things competing for our attention, and it's hard to juggle them all, but you're doing your best and that's all anyone can ask!

Good morning! It's always useful to remember that you don't always know what you don't know. Having a variety of viewpoints in your feedback can help you find your blind spots. Build diverse teams of people who can provide that. When you get stuck, change perspective!

Hi my friends! Don't forget that the people around you can influence you either by challenging you to help you achieve success, or nitpicking you into more stress. Try not to listen too much to the people who aren't helping you get where you want to be. You've got this!

Hello there! I see you, working hard and doing your best to be as precise as possible. Your hard work shows in the finer details- you're doing great!

Hello! Today's a great day to not get caught up in proscriptive pedantic dogma. (Actually it's always a great day to not get caught up in drama.) If you have a logical reason for what you're doing, that's enough. Give yourself credit for what you know.

Well hello! No matter how much it seems you have to learn, it's not a reflection on what you can or cannot do given the opportunity and time to learn it. Give yourself a chance- you're doing great!

Hello there! A reminder for today that you need to do what's best for you regardless of what others think because this is YOUR life and YOUR career. Trust your own instincts. You'll be surprised how much success follows that.

James P Sullivan from Monster's Inc (the large fuzzy blue one) faints

I have HOW MANY students this semester???

Good morning! As the new semester starts I'm sure you're all getting organized and possibly overwhelmed by all there is to do right now. Take a deep breath and remember that you always make it through week one and it all comes together. This year will be the same. It will be ok.