When we think about academic success, the first thing that often comes to mind is titles—becoming a professor, a dean, or climbing the academic administrative ladder. But is that the only way to define success? In reality, most academics do not want these positions. In fact, many of us are seeking a career that allows us to thrive intellectually in our research disciplines, to bring ideas into the world, without burnout, stress, or anxiety.
In this blog, I want to explore what academic success really means. It’s not just about titles or promotions—it’s about creating a career that supports your values, priorities, and well-being. And this all starts with defining success for yourself.
The Toxic Idea of "Working All the Time"
For many, academic success is often tied to the idea of working non-stop. When I entered academia, I was bombarded with messages that suggested I should be working 24/7. Senior academics told me that I had to work weekends, forego holidays, and always be on the clock to truly succeed. This toxic messaging was not only unrealistic, but it also made me feel as if I was failing unless I adhered to that relentless work schedule.
I quickly rejected that idea. Work is sort of important - in that it gives you money to have a life - but it is just one aspect of a much bigger picture of what brings me happiness. For me, a successful academic career is about having balance—being able to perform well in my career without it consuming my entire life. I refused to believe that academic success had to come at the expense of my personal well-being.
To achieve this, I knew I had to be efficient because higher education is a maelstrom of busyness and pseudo productivity. I needed systems and processes that allowed me to get my work done during office hours so that I could protect my evenings and weekends for rest and personal time. That was my version of success: achieving great things in my academic career while still having time to live my life.
What about money?
For many, career success in academia often comes with financial incentives. For me, this was no different. I didn’t need to reach the top academic salary level or become a professor to feel successful. What I needed was enough money to live comfortably—to pay my bills, and enjoy life outside of work. The drive for financial security was important, but the pursuit of titles didn’t hold the same weight. In academia, especially today, the financial gap between positions like senior lecturer and professor has shrunk considerably. This change means that focusing on climbing the career ladder purely for financial gain is no longer as motivating as it once was.
The Importance of Control
Another critical aspect of success is having control over your schedule. Academic work can often feel like a never-ending list of tasks—emails, meetings, grading, writing, research. One of the keys to my success was recognising that I could never do everything that was asked of me. I could though manage my workload in a way that felt reasonable. Having control over my calendar allowed me to decide what I would focus on and what I would ignore or say "no" to. This ability to create boundaries and prioritise my tasks ensured that I didn’t get overwhelmed or stressed out. Success, for me, meant having the power to choose how I spent my time, even within a demanding academic environment.
Defining Your Own Success
So, how do you define success in your academic career? It’s important to ask yourself: What does success look like for me? Is it about becoming a professor, or is it about finding a balance between work and life? Is it about producing meaningful research, or about having time for personal growth and well-being?
Once you’ve defined your own version of success, it’s important to situate that ambition within the reality of your academic environment. You need to have a clear understanding of academia as it is—not as you wish it to be. It’s crucial to accept the challenges and constraints of the system, and work within those limits to create a career that meets your goals.
Three Key Characteristics of Successful Academics
Successful academics exhibit three key behaviours:
They write first. Successful academics prioritise writing, especially in the mornings. Writing is the most important task of their day, and they ensure it’s done before opening emails or attending meetings.
They have strong boundaries. Academics who succeed on their own terms know when to say no. They set clear boundaries around their time and workload, protecting their focus and energy for their most important tasks.
They manage their workload effectively. Successful academics don’t feel overwhelmed because they’ve developed systems that allow them to handle the demands of academia. They know how to navigate the workload without burning out, because they understand that they can’t do everything.
The Reality of Success Without a Prestigious Mentor
Some academics benefit from having prestigious mentors or networks that help grease the wheels of their career progression. While these connections can certainly make things easier, they are not a prerequisite for success. You can still build a successful academic career on your own terms, even without those connections.
In fact, many of the most successful academics I know didn’t have those advantages. They didn’t come from families with academic backgrounds, and they didn’t have high-profile mentors. But they were committed, resourceful, and strategic in how they navigated their careers. They created success based on their own values and goals, not on the expectations of others.
Conclusion: Academic Success on Your Terms
Ultimately, academic success is about defining what success means to you, and then making conscious decisions to build a career that aligns with your values. It’s about understanding that success doesn’t always look like climbing to the top of the academic ladder. Instead, it’s about thriving in your career without burnout, managing your workload, and creating space for the things that matter to you outside of academia. Remember, success is not a one-size-fits-all concept. It’s a personal journey, and it’s up to you to decide what it looks like. Once you have that clarity, you can take the necessary steps to make your version of success a reality. And don’t forget—situating your ambitions within the reality of the academic system is crucial for achieving long-term success.
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