Rejection letters & harsh reviews are wack, but they almost always provide us with clues on how to get better. Here’s a quick thread with some ways of dealing with rejection. 👊 #SocTwitter #AcademicTwitter #phdchat 1
Before I even click on the PDF containing reviewer comments, I tell myself a little mantra that is huge in jiu jitsu: “You either win or your learn. There is no losing.” It sounds hokey, but this mantra has helped me appreciate very critical reviews #SocTwitter #AcademicTwitter
Then, while reading reviewer comments, I look for the “fatal flaws” that got my work canned. Usually the issue is about theory choice, methods, or a mismatch between theory / data. I don’t get mired in little stuff...yet... #SocTwitter #AcademicTwitter #phdchat 3
I underline key issues that reviewers had w/ my draft & try to look for overlapping critiques. Chances are, if a few people are pointing out something wrong, then it needs fixing. I then write out (in my own words) these key problems on a blank page #SocTwitter #AcademicTwitter
Afterwards, I close the file and write a very quick (usually 2-3 minutes) reflection piece where I work out on the fly how I’m going to address these fatal flaws in the next step. Having a game plan makes the process feel much more doable! #AcademicTwitter #SocTwitter #phdchat 5
Afterwards, I try to do something fun, something that helps reset my mood. This can be something small, like going for a walk or something big, like making plans to see a movie or have dinner with family or friends. No use dwelling on the paper 📝. #AcademicTwitter #SocTwitter 6
I then give myself a day or two and work on other things. Some distance from a paper or project can often help me figure out how to rework the paper. #academictwitter #SocTwitter #phdchat 7
Then, I’ll often reopen my first read through file and start rewriting the introduction and framing. I try to do this quickly and spend no time editing what I’m saying. I’ve found getting my thoughts down quickly helps move things fwd #SocTwitter #AcademicTwitter 8
Often I’ll find that there are lotsa “salvageable parts” from the rejected draft. Even though you get rejected, there’s still A LOT of stuff that you probably did well...I cut and paste the good stuff back into this new and improving document. #AcademicTwitter #SocTwitter 9
And then I work on this paper 📝 for the next month or two—depending on the nature of the reviews—and start plotting out a new home for the paper. The paper ALWAYS gets a lot better after a round of reviews. And often it finds an even better home. #AcademicTwitter #soctwitter 10
It helps knowing that EVERYBODY gets rejected. The key is to not internalize this as a rejection of you or your work. It’s a rejection of your work in its current form. Don’t be crushed by harsh reviews. Use them to level up! Let’s get it.💯 #SocTwitter #AcademicTwitter
*you (damn you, autocorrect) 😂
