The fine art of self-sabotage
I help researchers start impactful and satisfying research programs, without the overwhelm or fear of failure. Click here to find out more.
Have you ever noticed that the universe has a way of providing you with information right when you need it? I’m not talking about hard lessons that come from tragic things happening. Rather just little flickers of light when you’ve been in your head too long about something that nudge you out. Of course, the rational explanation for this is that my brain was tuned into receiving whatever information I cued in on, but I like the idea that it’s the universe looking out for me in a small way 😉.
What am I talking about? Well, if you’ve been following for a while you know that I am in the midst of my latest transformation from researcher and faculty member to researcher, faculty member, AND business owner. I am passionate about helping researchers develop and execute research programs that maximize the impact of their work for the benefit of our communities. I want all researchers to experience the satisfaction of knowing that their work isn’t just collecting metaphorical dust in an online repository.
Sounds noble, right?
Maybe…but it’s also VERY broad and mushy and difficult for someone who’s not inside my head with me to fit themselves into.
This initial vein of thinking was prompted by three questions posed at a couple of recent business development trainings I’ve attended. Here are the adapted questions and my answers based on the paragraph above:
1. Who needs my product?
a. Well, EVERYONE – which ends up being no one in practice.
2. What problem are my clients solving with my product?
a. Research program lacking impact – which could also be interpreted as a current research program not being very good (though that’s not my actual intention).
3. What result can they expect from using my product?
a. Currently you could expect “impact” – which is not actually measurable and for sure doesn’t align with how faculty success is measured.
Are you cringing and shaking your head saying, “Good luck with that business plan.” 😬
Me too.
To be honest I’ve had this reflection written in my head for a couple of weeks now. I’ve known that I needed to write it down and see it in real life so that I could begin to modify and recalibrate, but I’ve been avoiding it. Why, you ask?
Well, because I am comfortable with my current existence as a researcher and faculty member who “dabbles” in business. I’ve figured out how to be an effective faculty member and worked hard over the last 12 years to grow the reputation I now have. Moreover, as a faculty member who’s about to go up for promotion to full professor, I’ve reached the point in my career where it is theoretically possible sit back and reap the benefits of my previous efforts. Who would mess that up by putting yourself out there and doing something totally new to you?
So, I’ve been working on my business not providing clarity, not naming my key clients, not providing tangible outcomes and wondering, why it’s not growing?
Dumb right.
Fortunately, the universe provided me with the reminder I needed last week. As I was listening to a podcast talking about being paralyzed by comfort while trying to make a change I couldn’t help but thinking, “Oh isn’t that a silly thing to do to yourself”. But when the universe doubled down and sent me an article saying the same thing, I was like 🤦♀️, “They’re talking about me”.
I share this today with you all to 1) call myself out and 2) to put this on your radar. What work are you avoiding because you’re comfortable with your current existence? Is it getting that paper out the door? Making time to start researching that new area of knowledge? Having that tricky conversation with your chair or dean about your next career move?
Come back next week for my updated answers to those questions and why I really started this business.
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