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Dear friends,
Hope you’re enjoying the last long days of summer! I am in that pre-vacation rush, fighting to get as much done as possible before I leave. I’m going on a hiking trip, and I have been training for the last couple of months to get ready physically. In increasing the duration and intensity of my exercise, I had two realizations that apply to intellectual work as well.
When we got our Peloton bike in January, I did a lot of 20-30 minute rides. I was convinced that that was all the time I could spare for exercise. Then, in preparation for the upcoming all-day hikes, I started exercising longer. Here’s what I learned: after about the first 20 minutes, it gets a lot easier. I thought doing a 45-minute ride would be twice as hard as a 20-minute ride, but now I know it only takes a little more effort. Who knew?! (Except all the athletes reading this!) I think it’s the same with our academic work. The first words I write on a blank screen are so effortful, and it makes me feel like I’ll never get the paper done. There is a point, though, where I no longer need to dredge up each word, and the writing starts to flow. It’s more efficient to set aside longer writing blocks because it’s more time for productive writing after that initial cognitive effort to get started.
The next lesson from my exercise training that can be applied to academia is about rest. I consistently hit a personal best on the Peloton if I have rested for two days before a ride. I cannot reach a new peak performance if I only take one day between rides. Recovery is an essential step in increasing physical fitness, it turns out. Unsurprisingly, our brains also need to rest, and when we try to do our intellectual work without stopping, our performance worsens. If you want to hit the next level in your academic work, you might actually need to step away.
My advice to you this month has two contradictory elements: go longer and rest more. Try it and let me know how it goes. By the way, how’s the Friday planning? I continue to love this habit and am committed to keeping it going. As always, please share widely and, if you are so inclined, sign up for the blog here. Keep in touch and do share good news so I can amplify your successes!
Warmly,
Urmimala