Thread by @raulpacheco

REAL TALK:

I started this week feeling entirely unmotivated to do any work (even though I have a metric tonne of things to do). I was afraid of working on the revise-and-resubmits I have to finish because I was AFRAID OF GETTING THOSE PAPERS REJECTED BY THE JOURNAL.

I have a fairly decent publication record, and to this day I STILL FEEL WORRIED ABOUT GETTING A REJECTION.

(I no longer feel humiliated, but I still don't like rejections).

Public thanks to my writing group, and especially @AcademicBatgirl and @LuxanaRO for help motivating me

If you are starting this academic life, or are in the throes of getting a degree and/or writing a thesis, know that even the most experienced of us feel:
- lack of motivation
- fear of rejection
- stress
- unwillingness to do work (see above)
- overwhelmed feelings.

I am a senior professor and I STILL feel these feelings.

But with the help of my friends, I am again back at the desk, and thinking, and writing, and looking at data, analyzing, pondering.

(which IS something I love to do).

Sometimes, the love of the work isn't enough.

From my own experience this week, I can only recommend three things:

1) Just sit down and get started ON SOMETHING until you reach some degree of "flow"

2) Ask friends for help/motivation

3) Think that even if your work gets rejected this time, you'll find an outlet.

I am also going to provide you with a life insight that both my Mom and my Dad always have shared with me:

FEAR IS THE WORST ADVISER.

Whatever happens, I'm giving it my all and putting in my very best effort.

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