By Minessa
This was one of the first videos I recorded for the Commitment to Clockout series. At the time, I was still refining my branding and made some transition errors. Despite this, the essential information is clearly communicated which just goes to show you – it doesn’t have to be perfect, you just need to get moving. You can notice the difference in quality compared to my later videos as I became more familiar with the tools and processes where I would argue – it gets perfect-er.
The Way We Do Things
The same evolution happens in our roles as Research Administrators . Initially, we might be a bit clumsy, taking longer to navigate new systems and roles, from managing finances to pre-award activities. However, over time, we develop a rhythm and a standard way of operating that becomes, “the way we do things.”
For many of us, these processes solidify over time. We might adapt slightly, but generally, our methods remain consistent, sometimes for decades. A few years ago, I realized I hadn’t reevaluated my methods since my early days as an RA. It was surprising to think I was still using processes from when Justin Timberlake sported frosted tips. (How embarrassing, for him and me)
Time to Refresh and ReSync
I decided to implement an annual refresh of my routines. I review and streamline my tasks, tidy up my calendar, and perform a “reclaim my schedule” exercise to ensure I’m on track with my goals.
This practice has been so revitalizing that I now do it every few months, or whenever I feel overwhelmed. It starts with pausing to evaluate how I’ve set up my workflow.
I created this video to help anyone feeling overwhelmed or who also hasn’t updated their processes since Bye Bye Bye was a #1 hit (or before??).