How can you stay motivated when developing a research career plan?

2 Explore your options and opportunities

The second step to developing a research career plan is to explore your options and opportunities as a researcher. What are the different paths and possibilities that you can follow in your field or discipline? What are the current and emerging trends and issues that you are passionate about? What are the potential collaborators, mentors, or networks that you can connect with? You can use various sources and strategies to explore your options and opportunities, such as online databases, journals, conferences, workshops, or informational interviews. By exploring your options and opportunities, you can discover new and exciting ways to advance your research career.

3 Set your goals and objectives

The third step to developing a research career plan is to set your goals and objectives as a researcher. What are the short-term and long-term outcomes that you want to achieve in your research career? How do they align with your personal and professional values and vision? How do they contribute to your field or discipline? You can use various frameworks and techniques to set your goals and objectives, such as SMART (specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound), SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats), or action plans. By setting your goals and objectives, you can create a roadmap for your research career.

4 Monitor your progress and performance

The fourth step to developing a research career plan is to monitor your progress and performance as a researcher. How are you doing in terms of meeting your goals and objectives? What are the indicators and measures that you use to evaluate your success? What are the challenges or difficulties that you encounter along the way? You can use various tools and methods to monitor your progress and performance, such as feedback, reviews, evaluations, or analytics. By monitoring your progress and performance, you can track your achievements and identify areas for improvement.

5 Seek support and guidance

The fifth step to developing a research career plan is to seek support and guidance from others who can help you in your research career. Who are the people who can offer you advice, feedback, mentoring, or coaching? How can you build and maintain relationships with them? How can you benefit from their expertise, experience, or perspective? You can use various platforms and channels to seek support and guidance, such as online forums, social media, blogs, podcasts, or webinars. By seeking support and guidance, you can learn from others and expand your network.

6 Celebrate your accomplishments and milestones

The sixth and final step to developing a research career plan is to celebrate your accomplishments and milestones as a researcher. What are the achievements and results that you are proud of? How do they reflect your growth and development as a researcher? How do they impact your field or discipline? You can use various ways and means to celebrate your accomplishments and milestones, such as awards, publications, presentations, or recognition. By celebrating your accomplishments and milestones, you can reward yourself and motivate yourself to continue your research career.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?