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href="https://blogs.nature.com/naturejobs/2015/05/08/career-paths-should-you-follow-in-the-footsteps-of-your-idol/" rel="prev">Career paths: Should you follow in the footsteps of your idol?</a></div></li> <li class="next wpn-ellipsis"><div><span class="wpn-nav-label">Next post</span><a href="https://blogs.nature.com/naturejobs/2015/05/13/in-the-classroom-creativity-unleashed/" rel="next">In the classroom: Creativity unleashed</a></div></li> </ul></div></nav><p class="article-type"><span class="journal-title">Naturejobs</span><span class="divider"> | </span>Naturejobs Blog</p><h1 class='wpn-post-title entry-title article-heading'><a href='https://blogs.nature.com/naturejobs/2015/05/11/work-life-balance-new-definitions/'>Work/life balance: New definitions</a></h1><p class="wpn-byline"><time datetime="2015-05-11T12:00:23+00:00" pubdate><span class="published"><abbr class="value" title="2015-05-11">11 May 2015 </abbr>|<abbr class="value" title="12:00:23+0000"> 12:00 GMT</abbr></span></time><span class="divider"> | </span>Posted by <span class="author vcard"><a class="url fn n" href="https://blogs.nature.com/naturejobs/author/Julie-Gould-2/" title="Julie Gould">Julie Gould</a></span><span class="divider"> | </span><span class="category"><span class="before">Category: </span><a href="https://blogs.nature.com/naturejobs/category/njce15/" rel="tag">NJCE15</a></span> </p> </header> <section> <div class="wpn-entry-content content"> <h2>The scientific culture needs to redefine work/life balance so that each person can find their own route to it, says Susan Gelman.</h2> <p><em>Contributor Susan Gelman</em></p> <div id="attachment_1370" style="width:300px" class="wpn-caption alignright"><a class="wpn-image-link" href="https://blogs.nature.com/naturejobs/files/2013/05/165492777_istockphoto_thinkstock.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-1370 wpn-image" title="165492777_istockphoto_thinkstock" alt="Which way now?" src="https://blogs.nature.com/naturejobs/files/2013/05/165492777_istockphoto_thinkstock-300x246.jpg" width="300" height="246" srcset="https://blogs.nature.com/naturejobs/files/2013/05/165492777_istockphoto_thinkstock-300x246.jpg 300w, https://blogs.nature.com/naturejobs/files/2013/05/165492777_istockphoto_thinkstock-1024x840.jpg 1024w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" /></a><div class="wpn-caption-text"><p class="caption">Find your own way </p><p class="credit">iStockphoto/Thinkstock</p></div> </div> <p>Research science is an incentive-based career: journal publications, tenure, grant funding, fellowships, awards, etc. It is certainly not unique in this aspect, but its extreme competition does set it apart. When you commit to a research path you are not only committing to become proficient in a general subject area, but to become one of the most knowledgeable people in the world on a very specific topic, creating an environment of extreme pressure and induce tunnel vision. And so, there are many fears and anxieties that go hand-in-hand with being a scientist, including getting ‘scooped,’ becoming the 8<sup>th</sup> year Ph.D. student, doing multi-year projects producing no valuable data. So as tempting as it can be to take a weekend off or leave the lab while it’s still light outside, we often remain in our windowless workspaces late into the night out of guilt. We worry that a scientific career won’t wait for us.</p> <p>However a major problem is that science culture not only expects but also celebrates the dedicated lab rats. Many of us are secretly in awe of their work ethic, even if we don’t necessarily want it for ourselves. We hear whispers of legends renowned for spending 80 hours a week buried in the lab and wonder if we should be doing the same. And therein lies the rub: we can’t cry out for work/life balance and yet still yearn to be the ones always burning the midnight oil.<span id="more-6455"></span></p> <p>We need to redefine ‘balance’. Some of us thrive when working tireless weeks, while others are rejuvenated by spending time outside the lab or office, so we must be willing to accept multiple definitions of balance. We have to express our own individual ideal balance and this necessitates that our community be non-judgmental of our choices.</p> <p>Thus in a willing environment with a tremendous support system, a work/life equilibrium is achievable. But it is not enough for a single person to take on this endeavor, the community must not only recognize needs outside the lab but also be willing to participate. It rests on the shoulders of the scientific community to appreciate that some definitions of balance include having more family-friendly policies for both mothers and fathers, and making these policies more than decorative. It can mean taking shame and guilt out of the equation when vacation days are used, or when spending time on hobbies or loved ones trumps poring over literature papers.</p> <p>And for those of us who cannot sustain a regular 80-hour workweek, we need to make our own incentives, outside of the lab. Alongside setting a goal to submit a publication at a certain date, there could also be a more personal goal to accompany it, such as running a race or mastering a new hobby. To survive in such a hyper-pressurized environment we have to embrace the work-hard-play-hard mentality, even if we sometimes define ‘play-hard’ as ‘spending 6 hours on the couch watching Netflix’. We need to work to understand our own definition of balance better than our research. Unfortunately there are no literature references for this topic, so it’s important that we recognize when and why we feel unbalanced, and what our personal counterweight is. Without awareness about how our needs and habits affect our happiness and overall quality of life, we can’t know when to give ourselves a break.</p> <p>So we have to fully commit to ourselves and to the lifestyle we want. If we want to be first one into the lab and the last one out, the one who steadfastly works every weekend, so be it. But if we want to be home for dinner most nights and spend some weekends taking a break from research, we need to embrace it and leave the guilt at the door. This may mean multi-tasking, planning schedules a week in advance, or missing out on going to seminars just for the coffee and snacks. Whichever we chose, we need to know when it is time to call it a day. (Hint: and it’s not always when the sun comes up.)</p> <div id="attachment_6457" style="width:134px" class="wpn-caption alignright"><a class="wpn-image-link" href="https://blogs.nature.com/naturejobs/files/2015/04/susan-gelmann-naturejobs-blog.jpg"><img class=" wp-image-6457 wpn-image " title="susan-gelmann-naturejobs-blog" alt="susan-gelmann-naturejobs-blog" src="https://blogs.nature.com/naturejobs/files/2015/04/susan-gelmann-naturejobs-blog-224x300.jpg" width="134" height="180" srcset="https://blogs.nature.com/naturejobs/files/2015/04/susan-gelmann-naturejobs-blog-224x300.jpg 224w, https://blogs.nature.com/naturejobs/files/2015/04/susan-gelmann-naturejobs-blog-766x1024.jpg 766w, https://blogs.nature.com/naturejobs/files/2015/04/susan-gelmann-naturejobs-blog.jpg 1266w" sizes="(max-width: 134px) 100vw, 134px" /></a><div class="wpn-caption-text"><p class="caption">Susan Gelman</p><p class="credit">Image credit: Daisy Nguyen</p></div> </div> <p><em>Susan Gelman is a winner of the 2015 Boston Naturejobs Career Expo journalism competition. She is also a PhD candidate in chemistry, studying cancer metabolism and metabolomic techniques in Gary Patti’s lab at Washington University in St. Louis. Her research focuses on analyzing differences between healthy and cancerous states via stable isotope tracing. As a classical ballet dancer she also tries spend time in the ballet studio when not in the lab. Susan is a science communication enthusiast and can be found on Twitter @susangelman sharing her passion for biochemistry and burritos. </em></p> </div> </section> <div class="wpn-entry-meta"> <aside> <div class="article-tools cleared"> <h2 class="hidden">Article tools</h2> <ul id="wpn-share-post-6455" class="wpn-entry-user-actions"> <li class="wpn-entry-comment-link"><a class="comments-link" href="https://blogs.nature.com/naturejobs/2015/05/11/work-life-balance-new-definitions/#comments" title="Comment on Work/life balance: New definitions">4 Comments</a></li> <li class="sendtofriend"><a href="https://blogs.nature.com/naturejobs/tell-a-friend?id=6455">Email</a></li> <li class="print"><a id="print-link" class="track" href="javascript:window.print();">Print</a></li> <li class="wpn-share-bookmark"> <h3 class="toggle-bookmarking-links">Share/bookmark</h3> <div id="bookmarking-links" class="bookmarking-popup"> <ul class="bookmarking" id="wpn-share-post-6455"> <li class="facebook"><a href="http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fblogs.nature.com%2Fnaturejobs%2F2015%2F05%2F11%2Fwork-life-balance-new-definitions%2F">Facebook</a></li> <li class="twitter"><a href="https://twitter.com/?status=Work%2Flife+balance%3A+New+definitions+https%3A%2F%2Fblogs.nature.com%2Fnaturejobs%2F2015%2F05%2F11%2Fwork-life-balance-new-definitions%2F">Twitter</a></li> <li class="delicious"><a href="http://del.icio.us/post?url=https%3A%2F%2Fblogs.nature.com%2Fnaturejobs%2F2015%2F05%2F11%2Fwork-life-balance-new-definitions%2F&title=Work%2Flife+balance%3A+New+definitions">Delicious</a></li> <li class="digg"><a href="http://digg.com/submit?phase=2&url=https%3A%2F%2Fblogs.nature.com%2Fnaturejobs%2F2015%2F05%2F11%2Fwork-life-balance-new-definitions%2F&title=Work%2Flife+balance%3A+New+definitions">Digg</a></li> <li class="googleplus"><a href="https://plus.google.com/share?url=https%3A%2F%2Fblogs.nature.com%2Fnaturejobs%2F2015%2F05%2F11%2Fwork-life-balance-new-definitions%2F">Google+</a></li> <li class="linkedin"><a href="http://linkedin.com/cws/share?url=https%3A%2F%2Fblogs.nature.com%2Fnaturejobs%2F2015%2F05%2F11%2Fwork-life-balance-new-definitions%2F&title=Work%2Flife+balance%3A+New+definitions">LinkedIn</a></li> <li class="reddit"><a href="http://reddit.com/s/https%3A%2F%2Fblogs.nature.com%2Fnaturejobs%2F2015%2F05%2F11%2Fwork-life-balance-new-definitions%2F">Reddit</a></li> <li class="stumbleupon"><a href="http://stumbleupon.com/submit?url=https%3A%2F%2Fblogs.nature.com%2Fnaturejobs%2F2015%2F05%2F11%2Fwork-life-balance-new-definitions%2F&title=Work%2Flife+balance%3A+New+definitions">StumbleUpon</a></li> </ul> </div> </li> </ul> </div> </aside> </div><nav><div id="wpn-bottom-links" class="top-links cleared"><ul class="wpn-prev-next-article"> <li class="prev wpn-ellipsis"><div><span class="wpn-nav-label">Previous post</span><a href="https://blogs.nature.com/naturejobs/2015/05/08/career-paths-should-you-follow-in-the-footsteps-of-your-idol/" rel="prev">Career paths: Should you follow in the footsteps of your idol?</a></div></li> <li class="next wpn-ellipsis"><div><span class="wpn-nav-label">Next post</span><a href="https://blogs.nature.com/naturejobs/2015/05/13/in-the-classroom-creativity-unleashed/" rel="next">In the classroom: Creativity unleashed</a></div></li> </ul></div></nav> </div> </article>  <section> <div class="section expanded cleared" id="comments"> <h1 class="section-heading toggle">Comments</h1> <div class="content">  <ol class="wpn-comment-list comments ugc cleared"> <li id="comment-3795" class="wpn-comment wpn-byuser wpn-comment-author-john-tuttle wpn-even wpn-thread-even wpn-depth-1 wpn-role-subscriber wpn-user-john-tuttle box"> <article>  <div class="wpn-comment-meta wpn-upper"><p class="datetime"><time datetime="2015-05-11T23:35:46+00:00" pubdate><abbr class="published" title="2015-05-11T23:35:46+0000">11 May 2015 23:35 GMT</abbr></time></p><p class="moderation"> <a class="report" href="?action=report&comment=3795#comment-3795">Report this comment</a> </p> </div><dl> <dt><span class="comment-author vcard"><cite class="fn">John Tuttle</cite> said: </span></dt> <dd><p> It is interesting to me that none of the articles that I have seen on this blog about achieving a work/life balance are written by PIs. They seem to be exclusively written by young students. Hearing the experience of a successful faculty member who was able to balance their work with a life outside of the lab would be much more informative.</p> </dd> </dl><div class="wpn-comment-meta wpn-lower"> </div>  </article> <ol class="children"> <li id="comment-3801" class="wpn-comment wpn-byuser wpn-comment-author-julie-gould-2 wpn-bypostauthor wpn-odd wpn-alt wpn-depth-2 wpn-role-administrator wpn-user-julie-gould-2 wpn-entry-author box"> <article>  <div class="wpn-comment-meta wpn-upper"><p class="datetime"><time datetime="2015-05-12T08:41:56+00:00" pubdate><abbr class="published" title="2015-05-12T08:41:56+0000">12 May 2015 08:41 GMT</abbr></time></p><p class="moderation"> <a class="report" href="?action=report&comment=3801#comment-3801">Report this comment</a> </p> </div><dl> <dt><span class="comment-author vcard"><cite class="fn">Julie Gould</cite> said: </span></dt> <dd><p>Hi John,<br /> This series is part of a competition where entrants were able to pick their topic from several choices. Entrants were all young researchers (PhDs and postdocs). I think it’s a good idea for the Naturejobs blog to show what PIs think of work/life balance too, so if you have any suggestions for any PIs that I could approach to write something for the blog, please do let me know.<br /> Regards,<br /> Julie</p> </dd> </dl><div class="wpn-comment-meta wpn-lower"> </div>  </article> </li> <li id="comment-3805" class="wpn-comment wpn-byuser wpn-comment-author-rebecca-nesbit-2 wpn-even wpn-depth-2 wpn-role-subscriber wpn-user-rebecca-nesbit-2 box"> <article>  <div class="wpn-comment-meta wpn-upper"><p class="datetime"><time datetime="2015-05-12T11:23:09+00:00" pubdate><abbr class="published" title="2015-05-12T11:23:09+0000">12 May 2015 11:23 GMT</abbr></time></p><p class="moderation"> <a class="report" href="?action=report&comment=3805#comment-3805">Report this comment</a> </p> </div><dl> <dt><span class="comment-author vcard"><cite class="fn">Rebecca Nesbit</cite> said: </span></dt> <dd><p> Here are some thoughts from Nobel Laureates about work-life balance:<br /> <a href="https://www.nobelprizeii.org/video-category/work-life-balance/" rel="nofollow">https://www.nobelprizeii.org/video-category/work-life-balance/</a></p> </dd> </dl><div class="wpn-comment-meta wpn-lower"> </div>  </article> </li></ol> </li> <li id="comment-4793" class="wpn-comment wpn-byuser wpn-comment-author-alexander-bontempo wpn-odd wpn-alt wpn-thread-odd wpn-thread-alt wpn-depth-1 wpn-role-subscriber wpn-user-alexander-bontempo box"> <article>  <div class="wpn-comment-meta wpn-upper"><p class="datetime"><time datetime="2018-02-02T19:23:06+00:00" pubdate><abbr class="published" title="2018-02-02T19:23:06+0000">02 Feb 2018 19:23 GMT</abbr></time></p><p class="moderation"> <a class="report" href="?action=report&comment=4793#comment-4793">Report this comment</a> </p> </div><dl> <dt><span class="comment-author vcard"><cite class="fn">alexander bontempo</cite> said: </span></dt> <dd><p> Thank you Susan for you apportation. I’ m close to start with a post doc an i’m quite worry about the possibility to find the right balance you talk about. Sometimes i feel unliky to be a person who enjoy a wide range of activities outside the profesional setting. I would like to have just work intrests so to work all day without feel guilt and be awarded for my hyper work disposition. Unfortunatelly is not so….i love paint, shodo walk with my dog see movies or just stay in silence with myself.<br /> I don’t know how to talk about this need with my PI without generate a bad feeling about me….but i neither want to feel frustrated and unhappy realizing i’m not dedicating time to all my intrests…<br /> If you have suggestion to manage this difficult issue i’m happy to hear.</p> </dd> </dl><div class="wpn-comment-meta wpn-lower"> </div>  </article> </li> </ol>  <ol class="after-comments"><div id="wp-temp-form-div"> <p class="must-log-in">You need to <a href="https://idp.nature.com/login/natureuser/?target=http%3A%2F%2Fblogs.nature.com%2Fnaturejobs%2F2015%2F05%2F11%2Fwork-life-balance-new-definitions%2F%3Fcookie-test%3D0">log in</a> or <a href="https://idp.nature.com/register/natureuser">register</a> to comment.</p> </div></ol> </div> </div></section>  </div> <div class="col" id="extranav"> <div id="wpn-primary" class="wpn-id-primary sidebar aside"> <div id="wpn-about-blog" class="current-issue-box"><div class="wrap"><h1 class="wpn-archived wpn-expander">About this blog</h1> <div><em>Naturejobs</em> is the world’s leading dedicated science jobs board. 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Join today to network, learn and raise your profile to further your career. </div> <br /> <div> <a href="https://careerscommunity.nature.com/">https://careerscommunity.nature.com/ </a> </div> </div> </div><div id="wpn-npg-recent-comments-widget-2" class="wpn-widget wpn-comment-text wpn-npg-recent-comments-widget wpn- wpn-cache-miss"><h2 class="box-heading">Recent comments on this blog</h2><ul> <li><div><q>Very inspiring post. Onwards Isaac</q> ... <a href="https://blogs.nature.com/naturejobs/2018/02/28/african-astronomy-and-how-one-student-broke-into-the-field/#comment-4823" class="more-link">Read more</a></div><span class="comment-author vcard">-- <cite class="fn">Dennis Kulvinder</cite></span><h2 class="wpn-post-title"><a href="https://blogs.nature.com/naturejobs/2018/02/28/african-astronomy-and-how-one-student-broke-into-the-field/">African astronomy and how one student broke into the field</a></h2></li> <li><div><q>Dear Grace, A very inspiring post and very well written. However, could you also give us inputs of how you…</q> ... <a href="https://blogs.nature.com/naturejobs/2017/07/21/from-doctorate-to-data-science-a-very-short-guide/#comment-4795" class="more-link">Read more</a></div><span class="comment-author vcard">-- <cite class="fn">debatosh das</cite></span><h2 class="wpn-post-title"><a href="https://blogs.nature.com/naturejobs/2017/07/21/from-doctorate-to-data-science-a-very-short-guide/">From Doctorate to Data Science: A very short guide</a></h2></li> <li><div><q>Thank you Susan for you apportation. 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