Extracts from Nielsen, M. A. (2004). Principles of effective research (Technical Note No. 0404). The University of Queensland.:
Q. How do ineffective people relate to problems, instead of taking action?
A. They blame external circumstances “beyond their control.” ☉
Q. When ineffective people blame circumstance for their situation, what keeps them from making progress?
A. They deny that they can take action to improve their situation. ☉
MN’s three basic ways people abdicate responsibility: {blaming others}, {getting caught up in Displacement activity}, {getting down on oneself}. ☉
Q. Most common reason people abdicate responsibility for their problems?
A. It’s usually easier in the short term than proactivity and responsibility. ☉
Q. Proactivity and responsibility in research means constantly reminding yourself that…
A. You are the person ultimately responsible for your research effectiveness. ☉
Q. How does a proactive person relate to their goals?
A. They form a vision and work towards it. ☉
Q. How does a proactive person relate to problems?
A. They identify problems and work towards solutions. ☉
we should prefer to see resignation arise from the failure of earnest investigations rather than from persistent, helpless astonishment in the face of their difficulties.