3 Rules to Get to the Next Level

I spend a lot of time thinking about how I can improve and learn to  in whatever I am doing. This constant searching of new and better ways how to live and work brings me a lot of joy because it gives me the feeling of moving forward, of spending time in a meaningful way, and of challenging myself to be and do better than I currently am.

Over the years, I have shared with you some of these thoughts, many related to academia and how to become a better leader in the world of academic research. Today, I want to summarize some of these thoughts by sharing with you 3 key rules to get to the next level:

Rule 1: Never settle. It is so easy and comfortable to settle. However, the price you pay for that will be a heavy burden to carry, namely the feeling of having missed out on life in its richness. Signs that you have settled with yourself and your life are

• "This is just who I am.."​
• "I have tried to [get better] but it does not work for me"
• "[External circumstances] define this and I have no influence over them"
• etc.

Instead, I recommend you tune your sensory systems to recognize areas in your life where you have settled and question yourself if you really found the optimum or if you have settled at less than the optimum for your momentary convenience. If you realize you have, it is time for the next rule.

Rule 2: Small incremental steps of improvement. It is easy to sit down and make a list of few big things that we want to change in our (professional) life, make an ambitious plan (to be implemented on Monday) which will be already in complete disarray by Tuesday. Rather, figure out a 2 minute thing you can easily do and hold yourself accountable to do it everyday. Start with kindness and generosity. Here are some examples that have worked very well for me:

• Make sure before you leave the house to say bye in a meaningful and mindful way to everyone in your house.
• Take the stairs instead of the elevator.
• Randomly ask one of your co-workers how they are and actually listen to the answer with empathy.
• Send off a positive tweet when you read an interesting paper (try to tag authors).
• Surprise someone by buying them coffee.
• etc.

Rule 3: Never ever cut a deal with yourself. Often, we work hard to improve something and feel that in return we deserve some slack for something else. I can tell you that this principle will never make you happy since you are ultimately engaged in a constant negotiation process with yourself that costs lots of energy and drains you. This is one of the reasons why dieting never works. We chose the light vegetarian option but then deserve that delicious desert. Nope. Will .. not ... work. Make things that matter to you non-negotiable, before you realize it they will have become habits and happen on their own.

Give it a try and let me know below in the comment section how these three rules are working out for you!