Thread by @verymessyjamie

Dear #PhD #perfectionist, some thoughts on facing, ddressing + working past #perfectionism/fear of failure in #research.

A messy imperfect 🧵

#phdlife #phdtips #phdchat @PhDgenie @PhDVoice @OpenAcademics @PhDspeaks @AcademicChatter #AcademicTwitter #researchlife #phdwriting

@PhDgenie @PhDVoice @OpenAcademics @PhDspeaks @AcademicChatter 1/ Research is MEANT to be imperfect+messy. Things going wrong in research are more likely than things going ‘perfectly’.

If everything went EXACTLY as we planned/controlled +was already known, there’d be no need to do the research in the first place, right?!

2/ Instead of fearing imperfection, maybe take a beat to reflect/journal:

* What would perfection be or look like in your research?
* What does 'perfect' work + research mean?

3/Get CURIOUS about perfection, what it means + what your need for perfection is actually trying to tell you. More prompts:

*What does it mean for you to be perfect?
*What does it mean for you if something *isn't* perfect? Or if it fails?

4/ Then, get very REAL+PRACTICAL with imperfection:

*What would actually, realistically happen if smth goes wrong/is flawed?
*If that DOES happen, what abilities/resources do you have to be able to address it? (this can be as simple as asking someone for help+advice)

5/ { pause here for shameless plug: here's a free resource I recently created w/ handy tips for dealing with mistakes/mess-ups - not just in PhD but for life-in-general too. Download it here: jamiepei.com/messedup }

6/ When you've had a good think about what im/perfection means for you, think about how you can give it its own place separate + outside of yourself.

ie. YOU ARE NOT YOUR MISTAKES OR FLAWS
YOU ARE NOT YOUR MISTAKES OR FLAWS
YOU ARE NOT YOUR MISTAKES OR FLAWS

7/ Make the imperfections a separate entity. This should (hopefully) make it easier for you to deal with - like you would a naughty child or an annoying neighbour, rather than conflating it with your entire sense of self + worth

8/ Final piece: reflect on how the imperfection+things-going-wrong can actually be a GOOD THING.

*What new discoveries can you make from what's happening (vs what you expected?)
*What new ideas/perspectives is your researching showing you when things go wrong?

9/
*What new opportunities might open up from the mess?
*What new skills/techniques/methods might you develop as a result of addressing this mess?
*How can you extend your research or take it in novel directions? Ask new questions? Open new avenues for further research?

10/ Again, imperfection + failure isn't separate to research. Much excellent research+discovery arises out of happy accidents (penicillin!) + is very much intertwined w/ or even dependent on that messy in-between space of unknowable, uncontrollable, uncomfortable, imperfect work.

11/ There is almost always magic in the mess + flaws + imperfection.

You'll find it when you stop fearing or avoiding it, start allowing it in + getting curious about it.

n/n The not-knowing + (potential) imperfections are what make the research exciting + full of discovery.

Think of it this way: HOW BLOODY BORING it'd be if everything was exactly what we predicted, had no frills or edges, right?