Self-direction

Setting SMART goals

Research is a difficult thing to plan. If we knew what the outcomes of the work we were doing were going to be, there would be no point in doing the research. Having broader goals can help us manage the resilience-draining uncertainty in research outcomes.

Having overarching goals helps us to set a direction of travel for our work. For example, having the goal of ‘finishing my current research project within the next 8 months of funding with a draft publication in that time’ creates a focus of ‘what actions am I taking today to take me towards the current research project; what data or observations can I capture towards publication?’

Having overarching goals can help you become more resilience. Such goals can provide ongoing motivation and act as a reminder that there is a bigger picture beyond the sometimes fruitless activity of day-to-day tasks.