Making summer research plans

Lying to myself, one week at a time

Hello darlings –

It is somehow May. What the fuck. WHEW. I guess summer is here?

I’m going to be honest and say: April and the first part of May was not my best work. The world is fucking terrible. Lots of personal stuff. Lots of moping. Lots of distractions. But the terrible / awesome thing about this academic life is that every season is a new opportunity to set unreachable goals.

It occurred to me that maybe people would like to see my sad ass summer planning as I attempt to get my life together. Or not. I don’t actually care! Like, at all! You can just unsubscribe!

My summer goal setting process:

Here are two documents that I am drawing from:

My goals. You can start with the blank one and click on Mirya’s goals if it won’t make you sad or mad. (look on the left side for different tabs)

My week by week calendar. Same as before – start with the generic one and look at mine if you are brave. (tabs are on the bottom here).

Step 1: Plan fun

I start with my holidays. When am I taking them? Put them down on my list

Step 2: What do I owe to who when?

I go through all my deadlines (there a lot of them! Too many!) and map out when I will owe anyone anything. I generally organize these by deadline.

(Aside: I’ll be at State Politics, the Politics & Gender Conference, and EPSA. Please say hi! I like to know y’all aren’t just bots)

Step 2b: Cry, panic, rejoice (optional) (I will try to not to do these things when I meet people IRL)

Step 3: Putting me first

Take a step away from the suck and think about my ‘life’ goals for the summer. How do I want to take care of my body, mind, spirit? These could and should involve something fun, something for YOU. Learn to box, go dancing, run every day, knit an outfit for your pet rat, whatever.

Step 4: More goals, goals, goals, goals.

Look at my deadlines and my broader life goals and come up with some big ass goals for the summer. I’m still trying to write some fucking books, so this summer’s non-deadline goals are about writing books!

Step 4b: Panic again!

But this time I remember the advice that my dog trainer posted that is actually just the best advice for humans like me (a) what’s the next best thing I can do for me? b) you can always start over, c) look at everything as feedback not a setback, d) nobody’s perfect, e) don’t overlook the small wins).

(another aside: great dog trainer)

Step 5: Figure out my schedule

Add all my deadlines into my week by week planner and then start to fit in the deadlines. Then fill in other shit around the deadlines. Then scale that shit back because you aren’t fucking superwoman and maybe you don’t need to be all gas no breaks every single fucking summer MIRYA

Step 6: Enjoy my summer!

That’s it! Then I just do all the things! It is simple really! (I’m joking, I’m going to fail at all this shit, don’t listen to anything I say)

XOXOX

Mirya