Top 10 Lessons Learned in 2013 - Lessons 2 and 1

Welcome back! I've covered the top 8 lessons I've learned this year and we're down to the last 2.

2. Take another person's perspective

One of my area's of research has become perspective-taking, which is the ability to see things from another person's viewpoint. Several articles have come out recently in high-impact journals (like Nature) that cover the importance of being able to perspective-take. There is also a line of research that documents the inability of many criminals to take the perspective of other people. In lay terms, this means "put yourself in other people's shoes". If you cannot perspective-take, there is no way you will succeed in academia, unless you want to publish all sole-authored papers (which is not a good idea). 

I have always thought myself to be good at taking other people's perspective on issues, and almost always I can see both sides to any argument. I say "almost" because for the first time in my life, I really couldn't see someone else's perspective. However, I learned from the experience and know that I know have an even better idea of how to put myself in someone else's shoes. 

And finally, the number 1 lesson of 2013...

1. Take frequent breaks and time off!

I have always heard "take breaks" while working but did not leave by this rule until recently. This year, I began working in short spurts. I work for a designated amount of time then take a break. During the break, I do something. If I am at home, I do a chore, take Jack for a walk, play with Jack, or do a quick exercise. If I am at the office, I walk around, walk to the library, deliver papers, get a drink or snack, or go talk to someone. The breaks allow my brain a little rest time and let my body get some endorphins from movement. 

While this is important, I have recently learned the value of time off. Much of this fall was marked in by low morale for me. I just didn't feel like working, couldn't focus, had trouble maintaining a work schedule, and just felt bleh. When I would take a day or two off, even just for a weekend, I always felt rejuvenated on Monday morning. 

Since the semester has ended, I have continued to barrel through tasks. I have not taken a break since June of this year. AH! I decided I would work really hard, finish manuscripts for an upcoming conference, do a bunch of tasks on my dissertation, send necessary emails, complete work for my jobs, etc., and give myself the week of Christmas off (December 24th-December 29th). Well, my hard work paid off, and I have not touched work since Monday evening (December 23rd). Moreover, I didn't touch work until Monday morning (December 30th). I feel completely rejuvenated. 

The break in work gave me a chance to catch up on writing for this blog and my personal blog, read books for fun, spend time with my loved ones, catch up on movies, play games, go shopping, and do all the things I love. Best of all, I find myself thinking about my projects and feeling excited to get back to them. I was missing that excitement that made my work fun. :) I feel human again. 

What did you learn in 2013? What do you plan to do differently in 2014? Stay tuned for my 2014 goals...