Enthusiasm and perseverance
2010 Vitae Researcher Development Framework
descriptors B1.1 and B1.2
- What is enthusiasm and perseverance in Research
- Why are these qualities important?
- Developing enthusiasm
- Building perseverance
What is enthusiasm and perseverance in research?
In the world of research, enthusiasm reflects a visible passion and drive for your work. It’s a quality that can inspire not only you but also those around you.
Perseverance, on the other hand, is the tenacity you need to overcome obstacles and push forward. Showing both qualities can make a lasting, positive impact on others in your field, creating a culture of resilience and motivation.
Why are these qualities important?
Research is full of challenges, whether it’s an experiment not going as planned, a complex supervisory relationship, limited resources, or unexpected demands on your time. Personal life pressures can also affect your work, adding to the challenge. As research contracts evolve, nearing the end of a funding cycle can create extra pressure, especially in today’s economic climate, where funding is tighter and the job market more competitive.
Perseverance is closely tied to emotional resilience, a quality often described by psychologists as “emotional hardiness,” built on the “3 Cs”: Commitment, Control, and Challenge. In tough situations, these qualities allow you to make the choice to take control and influence the outcome, rather than feeling defeated. Demonstrating resilience and a positive approach to problem-solving can show your leadership potential and enhance your professional reputation.
Beyond technical skills, cognitive ability, and reputation, your attitude and how you engage with colleagues play a key role in research success. A positive outlook has wide-reaching effects, creating a collaborative environment where people can work productively. In fact, showing enthusiasm and a can-do attitude can improve your chances of landing a job, joining a team, or even being recognized by external networks as someone who is responsive and opportunity-focused.
Developing enthusiasm
Reflect on your passion:
Take some time to consider why you work in your chosen field. Who are the influential figures whose enthusiasm drives them forward, and how do they inspire others? Are you genuinely excited by your research area? What aspects thrill you, and what aspects don’t? This reflection may confirm your career path or prompt you to consider new directions that spark genuine enjoyment.
Inspire others:
If your field excites you, look for ways to share that passion! Join public engagement events or outreach programs to engage with a broader audience and inspire younger minds. Online forums or face-to-face discussions with peers can offer additional spaces to share ideas and stay inspired. You might even consider starting a local or regional research group for discussions and symposia.
Building Perseverance
Commitment and control:
When demotivation hits, it is often due to repetitive tasks, limited resources, or challenging work relationships. Tackling these challenges head-on can help you regain a sense of control. Start by identifying distractions and obstacles, then look for ways to minimize them. Find colleagues or mentors who can offer support and take steps to address any issues holding you back.
Enthusiasm
Example of action
- What are your objectives?
I aim to inspire others by sharing my passion for research! I’ll actively look for at least one opportunity—whether online or in person—to participate in a public engagement or outreach event organized by our university. My goal is to communicate the excitement of a research career and highlight the impact of my specific field, igniting interest and enthusiasm in the audience. - How will you measure progress and achievement?
I’ll take part in at least one outreach or public engagement event. To gauge the impact, I’ll seek feedback from event organizers, fellow participants, and audience members. I’ll specifically ask if they felt my presentation conveyed genuine enthusiasm and if it sparked interest in research among the audience. This feedback will help me understand how well I shared my passion and inspired others.
Example of evidence
- Statement
I am passionate about my research and excel at inspiring others within my field and beyond. - Situation
I took the initiative to approach the Careers Service about joining their annual careers symposium for second-year undergraduates, eager to share my enthusiasm for research. - Task
They invited me to deliver a 5-minute presentation, aimed at motivating students to consider a career in research by sharing my personal journey and experiences. - Action
To make an impact, I designed a visually engaging presentation filled with inspiring images that captured the excitement of research. I presented this to an audience of around 150 undergraduates, sparking curiosity and fielding questions during a panel discussion. - Result
The Careers Service team shared positive feedback about my presentation, and three students reached out afterward, expressing newfound interest in research careers and seeking further guidance.
Perseverance
Example of action
- What are your objectives?
To stay focused, motivated, and engaged in my work, even during the more routine and repetitive phases of my experiments. - How will you measure progress and achievement?
I’ll measure success by maintaining consistent, high-quality execution of my experiments, minimizing any need to repeat work due to loss of focus or motivation. This consistency will reflect my commitment to seeing each phase of the research through, regardless of challenges.
Example of evidence
- Statement
When facing a challenging situation, I persevere and help motivate others to find solutions. - Situation
Our project hit a major roadblock when a critical piece of equipment was damaged and unavailable for four months. This unexpected delay threatened our timeline and dampened morale across the team, as the equipment was essential to our experiments. - Task
To prevent a significant delay, our team needed to find an alternative approach that would keep our project on track and minimize setbacks. - Action
I took the lead by organising a team meeting to brainstorm potential workarounds. Together, we explored realistic alternatives. After our session, I discussed our ideas with the PI and offered to investigate the most promising options further. - Result
Through networking, I discovered that a similar piece of equipment was temporarily unused at a nearby university. I reached out to them, and our PI was able to negotiate a short-term loan. While there was still some delay, we cut down the downtime significantly, which lifted spirits and kept our project moving forward.
Final takeaways
- Enthusiasm and perseverance drive research success: Enthusiasm shows your passion for research, which can inspire both you and your colleagues, while perseverance equips you with the resilience to tackle challenges and keep pushing forward.
- Resilience and a positive attitude are essential: Research often comes with setbacks, and qualities like commitment, control, and the willingness to tackle challenges head-on are key to overcoming obstacles. These attributes help build emotional resilience, supporting both personal success and team motivation.
- Reflect, inspire, and stay focused: Regularly reflecting on what excites you in your work and sharing that passion with others can foster an engaging, collaborative environment. Meanwhile, addressing distractions and seeking support can help maintain focus and productivity even during challenging phases.