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day 19: intro to don't break the chain

12/19/2018

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Don't Break the Chain - a productivity system #EpiWritingChallenge
The story goes that Brad Isaac, software developer by day and stand-up comic  by night, received "his best advice ever from the already-famous comedian, Jerry Seinfeld, at an open mic night." ​
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Discussing the challenge of coming up with new material, "Seinfeld explained his method for success: each January, he hangs a large Year-At-A-Glance calendar on his wall. For every day he wrote new material, he had the exquisite pleasure that can only come from drawing a big red "X" over that day."

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day 18: intro to bullet journaling

12/19/2018

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Introduction to bullet journaling for personal and work productivity #EpiWritingChallenge
Bullet journaling has hit mainstream – you can spend hours on Pinterest or Instagram oohing and ahhing over gorgeous layouts.

​You may have even tried bullet journaling – setting up a layout that works for you, integrating both personal and work tasks together, or perhaps creating 2 separate bullet journals.
Bullet journaling (or BuJo) started off as something official, and some people still adhere to the "rules". 

You can subscribe to the www.bulletjournal.com newsletter and get the first 2 chapters of their book for free, plus a reference guide of different symbols. 

If the idea of a physical journal makes you break out in cold sweats, they've also developed an app so you can "bridge the gap" when your notebook isn't with you. 

Many users have developed "e-templates" to have bullet journals on their tablets, using Evernote or Notability.
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Learn about the traditional Bullet Journal Method. *

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day 17: intro to GTD and ZTD

12/19/2018

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Intro to GTD and ZTD for improving productivity #EpiWritingChallenge
Getting Things Done (GTD) and Zen to Done (ZTD) are closely related.

ZTD was developed in response to GTD - there were some parts of the system that just didn't jive with everyone, so ZTD addresses those.

​Let's jump in.

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day 16: intro to kanban

12/19/2018

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Using kanban for personal productivity #EpiWritingChallenge
Stop starting, start finishing.
The Kanban method developed in manufacturing, and if you search "Kanban card" online you'll find templates for little cards with specific spots for images, directions, serial numbers, etc. 

So what use would Kanban be to you?

Team Kanban Board

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day 15: making a productivity system

12/19/2018

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Making a productivity system #EpiWritingChallenge
In the next few posts, we'll be talking about a several productivity and organization systems, including: 
  • Kanban
  • Getting Things Done (GTD)
  • Zen to Done (ZTD)
  • Bullet Journaling (BuJo)
  • Don't Break the Chain

​(Click the links to be taken directly to the posts)
Some other planner systems that might appeal to you are the Passion Planner and Planner Pads. We won't be talking about them specifically but you can click through to the links to learn more. ​

Finally - check out this comprehensive guide on Top Productivity Apps for students, executives, parents, entrepreneurs, and those working from home. 
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Top Productivity Apps

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day 13: remember your why

12/19/2018

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Remember your why #EpiWritingChallenge
Why do we write?

To communicate the science.

More immediately, we write for our CV, for our tenure packet, for our career. 

But originally, we wrote to communicate the science in a time before email and the Internet.

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day 12: holding on to inspiration

12/19/2018

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Holding on to inspiration for your writing #EpiWritingChallenge
Halfway through the #EpiWritingChallenge, I flew out to Chicago for a big conference.

While conferences can be overwhelming, they can also be a great source of inspiration. 

Listening to new ideas in your field and going to talks a bit outside of your expertise are some of the best ways to spark new ideas.

Today we'll talk about cultivating creativity, and harnessing inspired ideas to increase efficiency and productivity.

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day 11: how to strengthen your argument

12/19/2018

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How to strengthen your argument #EpiWritingChallenge
“Countless manuscripts are rejected because the discussion section is so weak that it’s obvious the writer does not clearly understand the existing literature.” - Angel Borja​
What an eye-opening statement from Angel Borja, established scientist, and experienced reviewer and editor.

In this post, we'll summarize some key writing tips aimed at strengthening your argument. We'll also think about what peer reviewers and editors are looking for in a submitted manuscript. 

All of these tips build strongly upon what we've discussed in the #EpiWritingChallenge so far - keeping it simple, writing clearly, getting to the point, etc.

With that being said, I'll get to the point.

​

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day 10: using reverse outlines

12/19/2018

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Using reverse outlines to edit your writing #EpiWritingChallenge
On Day 6 we talked about using an outline to organize your writing.

​Making a plan before writing is helpful, but we also make new connections and discover new information while we are writing.

So then what’s a reverse outline?

These tips on making a reverse outline from 
www.thesiswhisperer.com can help get you started.

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day 9: crystal clear writing (part 3)

12/19/2018

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Using voice-to-text to clarify your writing #EpiWritingChallenge
In Crystal Clear Writing: Part I we mentioned “writing like you speak”.

Thinking through what to say in your head often results in prose that is more “interior decoration” than “architecture”.


Take the guesswork out of your head and speak aloud, and typing as you speak.

​If this feels silly, or if you’re feeling overly influenced by seeing your text on the screen, then cover the screen and type blindly.

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day 8: crystal clear writing (part 2)

12/19/2018

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Get to the point #EpiWritingChallenge

In Part 2, we're going to talk about an overall approach to manuscript writing that keeps your purpose clear and your words simple.

​We'll also touch on words we commonly mix up. 



​On Day 3 of the challenge (Read Before You Write), we talked about reading before you write. Many of the #EpiWritingChallenge participants were excited that reading counts as writing and they shared tips on how you stay on top of your reading piles.

Day 3 of the #EpiWritingChallenge: Read before you write. Reading regularly allows you to absorb information and influence what you put back out into the science literature.

— Bailey DeBarmore (@BaileyDeBarmore) November 7, 2018

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day 7: crystal clear writing (part 1)

12/19/2018

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Crystal Clear Writing - Keep it Simple #EpiWritingChallenge
During the #EpiWritingChallenge we did 3 whole days dedicated to Crystal Clear Writing.

Part 1: Keep it Simple
Part 2: Get to the Point
Part 3: Using Voice-to-Text

​In the first week of the challenge, we had some great Twitter conversations about how challenging it can be to read methods papers. 

Dr. Bill Miller pointed out the flip-side of challenging reads: it's not that the content is necessarily complicated, but that it is likely poorly written.

Keep in mind that many times when you need to read something over and over, it is because it is poorly written, rather than a problem with you and your ability to understand. We should write so that others can understand easily in one pass. #EpiWritingChallenge

— Bill Miller (@BillMiller_Epi) November 8, 2018

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day 6: using outlines to plan

12/18/2018

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Using outlines to plan #EpiWritingChallenge
The opening line of this Grammarly article by Karen Hertzberg is better than I could ever write:
"When I was a novice writer, I chafed at the idea of using an outline. I was certain organizing my thoughts in advance would stifle my creativity and make my writing stiff and uninspired. After all, how can serendipity happen if you’ve got everything planned?"
Is that how you feel, too? Or do you start with an outline every time you write?

No matter which camp you're in - or even if you're straddling both sides - let's go through the basics of using an outline to plan your writing so you can make an educated decision.
By the way, if you haven't jumped on the Grammarly train yet, you're really missing out. The plug-in is easy to use, and not-in-the-way. It's helped me improved my writing on every platform I type on (which is all of them). 

Check it out here and at @Grammarly on Twitter.

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day 5: structuring your argument

12/18/2018

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Structuring your argument #EpiWritingChallenge
On Day 11, we talk about how to strengthen your argument. Check it out here. 
Traditional journal articles have a familiar but rigid structure: Introduction, Methods, Results, Discussion.

So, when you’re writing anything 
but a traditional journal article, how do you structure your argument?

If you’re thinking to yourself, "But I’m not writing an argument?" I would counter that if you’re writing something to illustrate your perspective, it’s an argument even if there isn’t a clear counter suit. 

Keep reading for some bookmark-worthy resources and an introduction to the "Print Cut Shuffle" method.


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day 4: you gotta be teachable

12/18/2018

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You gotta be teachable #EpiWritingChallenge
In this age of email communication, the mood you’re in when you read strongly influences the way you perceive what you’re reading.

On Day 2 we talked about scheduling time for writing, and on Day 3 we mentioned allocating time for reading (and for answering emails).


Setting aside time to review feedback allows you to adjust your mindset.

Those changes won’t land like a bombshell on your day, but instead on an open and teachable mind.

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day 3: read before you write

12/18/2018

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Read before you write #EpiWritingChallenge

why spend time reading when I could be writing?

While writing regularly is an exercise in “practice makes perfect”, to truly provide good science communication, you should be absorbing information from your environment, allowing it to influence what you put back out.
Never stop learning, never stop reading.

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day 2: scheduling time and making space

12/18/2018

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Today we're talking about scheduling time for writing and making space for writing - both to improve productivity and to create a new habit. Let's jump in. 
Scheduling time and making space to write #EpiWritingChallenge
Creating a new habit takes time, and with something like writing, it’s particularly effective to take advantage of your most productive time of day.

We often kickstart our mornings by checking our emails (here’s 7 reasons why you shouldn’t start your day with that) but if you’re a morning person, blocking off time to write would be better use of your time.
 ​


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day 1: setting smart goals

12/18/2018

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Setting SMART Goals #EpiWritingChallenge
To kick off the first #EpiWritingChallenge, we started by setting SMART goals.

SMART goals are
  • specific 
  • measurable 
  • achievable 
  • results-focused
  • time-bound​
Goals for writing challenges often fall in one of several types:
  • Writing daily (time goals, content goals)
  • Starting a project
  • Finishing a project
  • Working on a skill

You may have an overall objective of finishing your dissertation, or a large project, or making time in your daily schedule to improve your writing. All of these can be broken down into SMART goals. ​
The first #EpiWritingChallenge occurred in November 2018. All 20 days are documented here as blog posts, and have been edited to be applicable beyond the challenge. Learn more about the #EpiWritingChallenge here. 

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  • Home
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