New Year, New Challenges

We are at the start of another year, fresh hopes for something better over the coming 12 months and time to reflect on 2015. For me 2015 was a real mix of the delight of gaining a visiting professorship, a successful MGP conference, a variety of new work challenges and against this the backdrop of an ever more chaotic and unstable world.    

One of the risks of having both your work and personal interest (gas, heritage, innovation etc) intertwined, is that you are never sure where one thing stops and another starts. It is hard trying not to squeeze in every opportunity for fear it may be your only chance to try your hand. It becomes too easy to take on too much from trying to be too helpful. Unfortunately too much work can limit your ability to innovate, a key thing for me, so I'm looking to build in more time, just for thinking about the many challenges ahead.

To start I devoted my Christmas to get a better balance of work, personal interest and family life. I'm intending on keeping up the good work, keep writing papers, invigorate my academic engagements, but also learn when to say no. I look forward to new work and personal challenges in 2016, but will temper this choosing the right opportunities. 

Whilst for most of us 2016 will inevitably bring change,  I hope it is a peaceful, prosperous and Happy New Year to all with interesting challenges ahead.