# The Productive Researcher  ## Metadata - Author: [[Mark Reed]] - Full Title: The Productive Researcher - Category: #books ## Highlights - Some researchers just find it difficult to focus; a lack of clear, value-driven motivation can make distractions more attractive than the task in hand. The solution is not to look for a new, more interesting job or project, but to tap into a deeper motivation that empowers you to get the job done faster and more effectively. ([Location 176](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B07642RQ6M&location=176)) - Tags: [[blue]] - If you want to be more productive, you need to find ways to fuel your sense of drive. You need drive to start your Monday morning with enthusiasm and anticipation for the week ahead. Part of you may want to continue reading the news or browsing social media a bit longer, but your sense of excitement and purpose makes it easy to turn on your computer and start your day. You need drive to make the conscious decision to continue writing when the people next to you on your flight or train have fallen asleep. You need drive to dream big, believe you can achieve your dreams, and say “yes” when an opportunity arises to fulfil your dream before you feel ready. Having powerful motives fuels your drive. ([Location 266](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B07642RQ6M&location=266)) - Tags: [[blue]] - You need focus to be clear enough about your priorities so that you can say “no” to invitations that boost your ego but distract you from your purpose. Having clear purpose gives you clear focus. ([Location 275](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B07642RQ6M&location=275)) - Tags: [[blue]] - Understanding your motives enables you to understand why you have to stay the course. ([Location 281](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B07642RQ6M&location=281)) - Tags: [[blue]] - Instead of promising myself something motivational if I could get through all the demotivating stuff, I tapped into the motivational power of the tasks I’d been reserving as a reward. Each morning, when my mind was most fresh but my motivation most weak, I focused on writing as much of this book or the next issue of my magazine as I could. By lunchtime each day, I was energized and inspired, and ready to take on that day’s annoying deadline. ([Location 348](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B07642RQ6M&location=348)) - Tags: [[blue]] - The trick, argues Hayes, is to take the bird’s-eye view of the negative experience in the wider context of your professional life, recognizing and letting go of the emotions associated with your latest rejection, and then refocusing on your core goals and values so you can move on, with clear focus, direction and motivation. ([Location 455](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B07642RQ6M&location=455)) - Tags: [[blue]] - Key lessons   1.     Motivated researchers are productive researchers 2.     Motivation generates productivity for three reasons: it gives you drive, focus and staying power 3.     Explore your motives to discover if you may have any hidden motives that could be demotivating or empowering you 4.     Reconnect with your most important motives regularly 5.     Look for alternative motives that you can tap into when your usual sources of motivation run dry 6.     If you can’t get out of a task that is demotivating, then change the way you think about it. You don't have to find a new job if you can discover a new joy in your old job 7.     Identify behaviours that are subconsciously holding you back from submitting work for review to avoid criticism from reviewers 8.     You can’t learn from emotionally difficult experiences if you avoid them. Instead, recognize, process and then let go of the emotions associated with paper or funding rejections, and refocus on your core motives and values to find new direction 9.     The more you do this, the less afraid you will be to submit your work to the peer-review system, and because you will have been able to learn from your previous experiences, you are more likely to get good reviews ([Location 505](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B07642RQ6M&location=505)) - Tags: [[blue]]