How Small Habits Transformed My Research Communication

Happy New Year! Like many of you, I've been in full reflect/reset/create mode these first few days of the new year, looking back at my goals and intentions I set this time last year.

Upon reflection, one 2024 goal really stands out: developing my thought leadership. I went about this a few different ways (guest blogging, my email newsletter, growing my blog, more active on social media). One of the biggest growth areas I saw was on LinkedIn. I increased my LinkedIn engagement by more than 3,000% compared to 2023!

This didn't happen by chance – it was the result of intentional, consistent small actions that added up over time.

I read Atomic Habits* by James Clear in 2023 and it helped me realize that meaningful growth isn't about dramatic, overnight changes - it's about taking small actions every day that help shape who we want to become.

Think about it like becoming a marathoner: you don't start day 1 by running 20 miles. You start with a very low mileage and build from there. The same principle applies to research communication. If you want to become a thought leader or a recognized voice in your field, you start with small, consistent outward actions.

Ok, back to Atomic Habits. Clear, the author, discussed the power of identity-based habits, which goes beyond just "doing" - these habits are about "becoming." When you focus on becoming a researcher who communicates effectively, rather than just checking off communication tasks, something shifts. Each small action isn't just about growing followers or getting engagement - it's evidence that reinforces the type of researcher you want to become.

For me, this mindset shift changed everything. Instead of thinking "I should post more on LinkedIn," I started thinking "I am someone who wants to help scholars make their research more accessible." This identity then guided my daily choices all of 2024:

• When I read interesting research, I automatically thought about how to share it with my network
• When I saw others struggling to communicate their work, I reached out to help
• When opportunities arose to share my expertise, I said yes because that's who I was becoming

This is why social media can be such a powerful (and easy) tool for researchers - it provides daily opportunities to reinforce your identity as an effective research communicator. Social media offers you a space to make small, consistent actions (posting, commenting, engaging, etc.). Here's how to approach it using the Atomic Habits method:

Start with Identity, Not Just Actions

• Ask yourself: "Who is the type of researcher I want to become on social media?"
• Consider what value you want to bring to your followers
• Identify researchers whose social media presence you admire - what makes their content engaging? Adopt some of these.
• Define your unique voice and perspective in your field and let this identity guide how you show up online daily

Build Systems, Not Just Goals

• Post consistently (I aim for 3-4 times weekly)
• Engage with others' content often
• Focus on the process (simplifying so there are few roadblocks), not just outcomes
• Keep a notes app or document ready to capture content ideas when inspiration hits
• Make it easy to maintain these habits
• Set up your environment for success (bookmarks, accessible notes to self, etc.)

Take Small, Consistent Steps

• Start with one social media platform
• Spend 15 minutes daily engaging with your community by commenting thoughtfully on others' posts
• Share bite-sized insights from your research
• Translate one research finding into plain language each week and make it applicable to your audience
• Join relevant groups and conversations in your field
• Share your learning process, not just final results
• Celebrate small wins that prove your new identity
• Document your growth to see progress over time (most social media platforms track audience engagement metrics)

Effective research communication is about consistently showing up and adding value for those who already follow you. The key is viewing these activities not as tasks to check off, but as expressions of who you're becoming - a researcher who effectively shares knowledge and creates impact.

As they say in Field of Dreams, "If you build it, they will come." Build your online presence, tend to it carefully, and the followers will come. It's not about overnight success - it's about becoming the communicator you want to be, one post at a time.

* affiliate link