Exactly 1 yr ago, I started my own lab (HOLY S**T). I'm trying to organise my thoughts on key lessons I've learnt along the way, which I'll share here over the next few days. But my top tip for #NewPIs is to have a solid support network OUTSIDE work. Here are mine. 💕 
Tip 2: build a support network INSIDE work. Other #NewPIs who will have emergency coffees with you. Senior colleagues who provide what I call "crying chairs" 😂. Trusted collaborators & friends on speed dial (preferably those whose GIF game is strong, for comic relief!).
Tip 3: be someone else's support network. Take the time to go to emergency coffees with your #NewPI colleagues. Provide a safe space for more junior staff/students to vent/cry/rant/etc. Be that person on your collaborators' speed dial (and try to improve your GIF game!).
4. Mentors. So much has been said already about the importance of mentors. All of it is true. And keep in touch with prev. mentors/PIs. Your relationship didn't just end when you left their lab!
5. Watch out for de-mentors. I can guarantee that there WILL be at least one (in my case, only exactly one so far, so I'm lucky.). Don't let them suck all your emotional/mental energy/joy at work. How? See tips no. 1-4 (these are your patronuses!).
6. How to spot a dementor? Tough one but trust gut feeling. Trust support network. Beware of advice that at 1st sounds reasonable but will end up making you highly reliant on the advice giver and isolating you from everyone else. Smile & back away. Quickly.
7. Share. Share ideas, resources, experience, lessons. Yes it's a competitive world. Yes some people play dirty. Share anyway. You will rely on others to kindly share various things with you at many points along this journey. Pay it forward. 😊
8. Celebrate everything. Preferably with chocolates. Or cake.
9. A LOT of mistakes will be made. 😂 I'm learning to not dwell on them. The only one who's going to give me a hard time over them is me, myself, and I, so why waste the time/energy? Remember the lesson for next time and move on. Still working on this one!
