How to Optimize Your Tasks so That They Motivate You
The Goldilocks Principle states that there’s an optimal level of difficulty for tasks: not too easy, not too hard. Just right.
Posts By Erica Bakota
USDA: Not Just About Farms, Also About Innovative Research
USDA has a secret superhero identity that many people don’t know about: a powerhouse of research scientists.
Trust Me, I’m a (Government) Scientist
We need to address the credibility problem for scientists. That means engaging with the public about several key parts of the profession.
Have Poison Control Centers Lost Their Place in Society?
In the era of googling our medical symptoms and posting about that weird rash on Facebook, I want to make a pitch for making a phone call to the Poison Control Center instead if you’ve got a poisoning on your hands.
The Difference Between Nonconformity and Creativity
In my last post, we explored the idea that tapping into one’s creative mind can become easier with practice. Practicing something is straightforward- if one knows what to do. But what if we aren’t in touch with our inner selves, and we don’t know what it means to be creative?
Creativity: Easier Every Time
Some things never get easier. The first moment of getting into a cold swimming pool. Resisting the box of donuts lurking in the office break room on a Friday morning. Dealing with difficult people. But some things do, and zoning into your creative mind is one of them. So next time you feel like there’s… Read more »
Thinking Outside the Box as a Government Scientist
As a scientist, I’m a linear thinker. One of the defining features of my role is leveraging the scientific method to learn things about the molecules and processes that are central to my agency’s mission. Often the only way to arrive at some conclusions is to use the controlled thought process that the scientific method… Read more »
From Bench Scientist to Desk Champion: Transitioning to a Managerial Mindset as You Leave the Lab for Good
There often comes a time in a scientist’s career when he or she must face a difficult reality: in order to continue to grow professionally, he or she must transition from a life at the bench to a life at the desk, from managing experiments to managing people.
Do You Take Shortcuts in Scientific Method Development?
To remain competitive in a rapidly-changing scientific landscape, organizations must be able to produce and implement methods quickly.
Raising the Bar on Scientific Writing
We are big-boy and big-girl scientists, and it’s time to start acting (and writing) like some. Here are a few tips I’ve discovered over a few dozen publications to help us along the way.