Ten Golden Rules for High-Impact Research (and Well-being)

Research can be an amazing journey. One full of intellectual challenges and enriching experiences that lead us to make a real difference in the world. But if we don’t set our course right, our research impact might be limited, disappointing us and reducing our career opportunities. Even worse, if we let our expectations run wild or allow our fears to take the wheel, we could find ourselves on an emotional roller coaster, risking burnout or even the urge to give up.

After nearly two decades in academia, I’ve had the privilege of working with some truly talented people. Over the years, I’ve noticed patterns—both good and bad—that have a clear impact on research outcomes and the health of researchers. I often share these insights with my students. And it’s been rewarding to see former students pass some of them on to their own students, proving their value over time. Here are ten golden rules that I trust will guide researchers—or those aspiring to be—on the right track.

1. Pursue impact beyond your CV

Research isn’t just about building your CV; it’s about making a real difference. Whether it’s a groundbreaking theory or a practical innovation, your work should aim to have a positive impact on others. Impact shouldn’t just be the final goal; it should be the mindset guiding your entire research journey. Researchers prioritizing making a difference over self-promotion tend to make smarter choices when designing, presenting, and sharing their work. They dig deeper into the relevance of the problems they’re tackling and ensure their findings reach those who benefit most. Seeking impact may take a bit longer, but it’s way more rewarding and, in the long run, it’ll make your CV stand out in a much more meaningful way.

2. Set your own goals and expectations

Research can feel like a never-ending game—writing papers, giving presentations, managing grants, working with collaborators, doing outreach, partnering with companies…and the list goes on if teaching is added to the equation. Trying to be a superstar in all these areas isn’t just unrealistic; it’s a fast track to burnout. So is falling into the comparison trap. Comparing yourself to others, especially those in more privileged positions, can be discouraging. It’s even tougher when you see others taking shortcuts—like focusing on quantity over quality—and gaining a temporary advantage. To avoid this, setting your own goals and expectations is crucial. Be ambitious, but keep your feet on the ground. What may seem like a disadvantage today—like a part-time job or family responsibilities—could equip you with the skills to achieve even more ambitious goals in the future. Accept where you are, embrace the decisions you’ve made, and start from there. Focus on becoming the best version of yourself.

3. Surround yourself with the right people

Make sure you have people around who make the journey worthwhile. Look for colleagues you enjoy working with and can turn to when you need help or advice. Your PhD supervisor will likely be the most influential person in your career. He or she should have experience but, more importantly, a true passion for research and teaching. Your advisor should be your guide and most trusted companion, sharing your goals and helping you reach your full potential. Be cautious of supervisors with too many commitments, as they are unlikely to give you the time you deserve. If you’re unsure, it’s a good idea to talk to their former or current students to get a sense of what it’s like to work with them. On the other side, as a PhD supervisor or the head of a research group, you should aim to connect with each student or team member and give them the tools they need to thrive. Offer them your most valuable resource—time—and show them the way towards an impactful and healthy research career.

4. Challenge everything

Research is full of fixed recipes. Right from the beginning, you’ll be taught how to write, experiment, and present using strict—and often obsolete—formulas. You’ll be told where to publish and which researchers to follow. While this advice is valuable, and it’s wise to listen to those guiding us, it’s important not to lose our critical edge. Just because everyone else is doing something doesn’t mean it’s the right move. Keep asking questions: Is this problem really relevant? Who does it matter to? How could I make a bigger impact? Some of the best ideas come from challenging the status quo. As the writer and innovator Neil Strauss once said, “the biggest mistake you can make is to accept the norms of your time” [1].

5. Learn how to read

As a researcher, you’ll spend a lot of time writing papers, projects, reports, reviews, letters of recommendation, and so on. Writing is one of the most crucial skills for a researcher, yet it’s something very few truly master. Practice helps, but it’s not the first step. Before you can get good at writing, you need to nail down an even more basic skill: critical reading. Make sure you can read, process, analyze, and criticize other people’s work. Only then will you be able to step back, evaluate your own writing, and keep refining it until it’s top-notch. AI tools can be handy, but they’re only helpful if you already have the skills.

6. Learn to say “No”

As you progress in your research career, you’ll start taking on more and more responsibilities. You’ll find yourself on committees, organizing events, giving invited talks, being involved in collaborations, and much more. These are awesome opportunities to take on new challenges, gain fresh experiences, and learn. But it can also get overwhelming and discouraging. Your inbox might become your worst nightmare, and if you’re not careful, everyone will control your schedule but you. Saying no isn’t just about protecting your health; it’s also a sign of respect for the person who asked. If you can’t give it your best, you better pass. I’ve lost track of how many presentations I’ve sat through where the speaker obviously agreed without having the time to do it right. Respect your time and the time of others, learn to say “no”.

7. Collaborate

There’s a common myth that breakthroughs come from solitary geniuses locked away in their labs until they stumble upon a revolutionary idea. However, research on innovation and creativity consistently shows that real breakthroughs result from incremental and collaborative efforts [2]. Working with other researchers isn’t just helpful—it’s incredibly rewarding. Collaboration will give you fresh ideas and connect you with incredible people. The impact of your research will largely depend on the strength of your network. Start building those connections and find your next collaborator!

8. Build up your soft skills

People often think that the key to being a successful researcher is deep technical knowledge in your field. But the truth is, your ability to make an impact as a researcher depends just as much—if not more—on your soft skills: writing, presenting, public speaking, problem-solving, teamwork, leadership, and so on. A poorly delivered presentation can completely overshadow even the best research contribution. So you better start developing your soft skills from day one. Want to master presentations? Check out Presentation Zen: Simple Ideas on Presentation Design and Delivery by Garr Reynolds [3]. Looking to go beyond the slides and make your ideas memorable? Made to Stick: Why Some Ideas Survive, and Others Die by the Heath Brothers [4] is a must-read. And remember, the best way to improve is by practicing!

9. Keep learning

With all the tasks that come with research, staying up to date can feel like a real challenge. When all you have is a hammer, it’s easy to see everything as a nail. That’s why it’s crucial to keep learning—it helps you identify the right problems and find solutions that are timely and relevant. Don’t limit yourself to just academic sources; explore blogs, videos, journals, and MOOCs to gain a broader and more accurate perspective on your field. You never know when inspiration will strike, so keep expanding your toolkit!

10. Believe in yourself

Research can be intimidating; try presenting to a crowd of 400 people and handling tough questions in a non-native language. Imposter syndrome can easily creep in, making you feel small and frustrated. But don’t let it hold you back. You can go much further than you think with motivation and hard work. Experience will build your confidence, but it’s crucial not to shy away from stressful situations. Instead, seek them out until you’ve mastered them. Nervous about presenting in English? Find international conferences overwhelming? Make those your next goals. And remember, it’s okay to say, “I don’t know.” People will appreciate and respect your honesty.

Have a different experience or want to share your own rules? Let me know in the comments.

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While preparing this post, I used ChatGPT4o [5] and Grammarly [6] to make grammar and style adjustments. I take full responsibility for the final content. Special thanks to Juan Carlos Alonso for his helpful comments on an early version of this post.

References:

[1] Timothy Ferriss. Tools Of Titans: The Tactics, Routines, and Habits of Billionaires, Icons, and World-Class Performers. 2016.
[2] Matt Ridley. How Innovation Works: Serendipity, Energy and the Saving of Time. 2021.
[3] Garr Reynolds. Presentation Zen: Simple Ideas on Presentation Design and Delivery. 2008.
[4] Chip Heath and Dan Heath. Made to Stick: Why Some Ideas Survive and Others Die. 2007.
[5] ChatGPT. https://openai.com/chatgpt
[6] Grammarly. https://www.grammarly.com