Gaining a Foothold
This week I've spent 5-7 hours a day on research. At the cost of my day job and teaching, of course. But this month afforded a little more scheduling flexibility than usual, and next week has room for catch up.
I needed a foothold: to dig into the research just enough to gain some position for the next climb. And it's helping. My mind is back in the game in a way it hasn't been in a while. I've amassed a lot of the sources I need to proceed with the two articles I'm writing. I've completed a conference proposal. I've planned my semester's writing goals. I feel like a scholar. I've got a rhythm going.
So what have I learned? If you're going to putter along at 10-12 hours of research a week, build in an occasional week here or there for more intense work. The occasional double-time week pays off immensely.
Or so it seems for now. Check back with me in a few more weeks.
[Photo: a view of the talus on Mt Democrat, taken on my ascent in July 08]
