December 2015

2015 #AnnualReview Part 2: The Goals

I wrote yesterday about what went well this year, and what didn’t go so well. That was the first part of this Annual Review process to review 2015 and start thinking about how I want 2016 to go. This post is about the specific and measurable Annual Review goals that I’ve set for 2016.

Last year, I started this process but I didn’t follow through with setting all my goals and specifying the actions needed for each goal. I also didn’t go back to my goals each month or quarter to check my progress or update what actions needed to be taken to work towards the goals. This year, I’ve filled out the spreadsheet template so that I can keep updating it each month and use it to stay on track for meeting my goals. I think it’s a good idea to come back to goals periodically, or else the only thing you’ve actually done was set the goals and not take any action towards them. The chances of actually achieving them will be quite low without reassessment and action.
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2015 #AnnualReview Part 1

Seeing as this next year will be the last of my PhD, it is as good a time as ever to do my first thorough #AnnualReview a la Chris Guillebeau and get prepared for a big year in 2016. This is my first annual review blog post!

Major decisions will be coming up, like where I’m going to apply for jobs and what I’m going to do in 2017. It’s been a good process for me to think through what’s happened these last 12 months and think about how I want the next 12 to go.

The first part of the Annual Review process is to list things that went well and things that didn’t go well. Things that can go on these lists are things that I have control over. Continue Reading

The long winter

It’s happening. It’s pitch black outside starting 4:30 PM these days. This is what living at higher latitudes means. To think, about a year ago I was living at the Equator, getting the most sun exposure that I’ve ever had in my life, and now I’m worlds away in the North.

My freckles have faded, and my tan lines are almost certainly going to be gone by the end of winter. This winter I’ll be in London, minus a few days during the holidays to visit family.

Last year, I had half the winter in London. It was still a struggle to adapt, so this year I’m going in with a plan. Combine that with the state of my PhD, I’m now gearing up for potentially my worst winter of S.A.D. ever…
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