How can you stay up-to-date on your field's research while balancing core work responsibilities?

As a thought leader, you want to keep up with the latest research and trends in your field. But how can you do that without neglecting your core work responsibilities? In this article, you will learn some practical tips and strategies to balance your time and attention between staying informed and delivering results.

1 Set your learning goals

Before you dive into the vast sea of information, you need to have a clear idea of what you want to learn and why. What are the most relevant and impactful topics for your field and your audience? What are the knowledge gaps that you need to fill? How will your learning help you achieve your work objectives and advance your career? Setting your learning goals will help you prioritize and focus your research efforts.

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Priyanka K.

Digital Marketing Head | International Business Automation Strategist | Google Ads AI-Powered |MBA | SEO| SEM| SMM| 360° Marketing| Standford California University Anti-doping Education Certified |@Google Certified
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Prioritize: Focus on key journals and publications. Schedule: Allocate specific time regularly for staying informed. Subscribe: Sign up for newsletters, alerts, and RSS feeds. Social Media: Follow researchers and organizations on platforms like Twitter. Online Platforms: Use ResearchGate, Academia.edu, and databases relevant to your field. Network: Engage with colleagues, attend conferences, and participate in professional networks. Aggregator Tools: Use tools like Feedly or Flipboard to consolidate content. Podcasts/Webinars: Listen to podcasts or attend webinars during downtime. Mobile Apps: Install apps for quick access to research updates. Delegate and Prioritize: Manage core tasks efficiently and delegate when possible.

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2 Choose your sources wisely

Not all sources of information are created equal. Some are more reliable, credible, and authoritative than others. Some are more current, comprehensive, and accessible than others. Some are more aligned with your learning goals and preferences than others. To choose your sources wisely, you need to evaluate their quality, relevance, and usefulness. You also need to diversify your sources to avoid bias and get a balanced perspective.

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Ariel Liberda BSc, HT(ASCP), QIHC

Senior Histopathology Lab Manager | Compliance Expert | Program Development |
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I've found that attending conferences is a great way to see what is new in the field. As an added bonus the networking benefits from conferences are an additional opportunity to stay on top of new information making it's way through your peers when you connect with them in various online forums. Take advantage of companies that hold educational classes about new products. These companies LOVE to have a chance to get product information in the hands of possible new clients. Even if your company is not in the market to pivot to a new program, machine, protocol ect. it is beneficial to know about these things in the event the needs of your company change.

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3 Schedule your research time

If you want to stay up-to-date on your field's research, you need to make it a regular habit. But that doesn't mean you have to spend hours every day reading and digesting every piece of information that comes your way. You can be more efficient and effective by scheduling your research time according to your availability, energy, and attention span. For example, you can dedicate 15 minutes every morning to scan the headlines, 30 minutes every week to read a few articles, and an hour every month to watch a webinar or listen to a podcast.

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4 Apply what you learn

One of the best ways to reinforce your learning and demonstrate your thought leadership is to apply what you learn to your work. You can use your research insights to improve your processes, solve problems, create innovations, or generate new ideas. You can also share what you learn with your colleagues, clients, or network through various channels, such as blogs, newsletters, social media, or presentations. By applying what you learn, you will not only enhance your work performance, but also showcase your expertise and value.

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5 Review and update your learning

Learning is not a one-time event, but a continuous process. As your field evolves, so should your knowledge and skills. That's why you need to review and update your learning regularly. You can do that by reflecting on what you have learned, assessing your progress and outcomes, and identifying new areas of interest or improvement. You can also seek feedback from others, such as mentors, peers, or experts, to validate your learning and get new perspectives.

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6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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How can you stay up-to-date on your field's research while balancing core work responsibilities?

1

2

3

4

5

6

1 Set your learning goals

2 Choose your sources wisely

3 Schedule your research time

4 Apply what you learn

5 Review and update your learning

6 Here’s what else to consider

Thought Leadership

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How can you stay up-to-date on your field's research while balancing core work responsibilities?

1

2

3

4

5

6

1 Set your learning goals

2 Choose your sources wisely

3 Schedule your research time

4 Apply what you learn

5 Review and update your learning

6 Here’s what else to consider

Thought Leadership

Rate this article

Thanks for your feedback

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