Author resolutions: Setting yourself up for success in 2026
This post was originally published on the Sage blog here
With 2025 ending, you may be thinking about reviewing your research progress and preparing for the upcoming year. If you don’t know where to start, here are some suggestions on organizing your work and planning for 2026.
Reflection and celebration
Conduct a year-end reflection: Take time to evaluate your achievements and challenges from 2025. Documenting key lessons learned can help you identify strengths to leverage any areas for growth in the coming year. Consider seeking feedback from peers or mentors to gain additional perspectives on your progress.
Celebrate milestones: Acknowledge your progress by celebrating completed projects, accepted papers, or new skills acquired. Recognizing achievements, both big and small, helps maintain motivation throughout the year.
Professional profiles and organization
Update academic profiles: Ensure all relevant profiles, including LinkedIn, ResearchGate, faculty profiles, and your CV, reflect your 2025 research focus and publications.
Organize references and data: Streamline your reference library (using tools such as Zotero, EndNote, or Mendeley) and verify that research data is securely stored and accurately labeled.
Goal setting and planning
Set clear research goals for 2026: Define specific projects, topics, or questions to address next year. Clear objectives can guide efforts and promote effective collaboration with contributors, affiliates, or co-authors.
Conference planning: Identify field-related conferences to attend, determine formats (in-person or virtual), and examine funding options. Record deadlines for department or travel funding applications.
Monitor special issues or collections: Note submission deadlines for collections and special issues to facilitate timely contributions.
Plan for publication: Select relevant journals or conferences and design a submission timeline. Draft outlines or abstracts for future papers to begin the process.
Skill development
Enhance skills: Enroll in courses or training related to data analysis, writing, or presentation. Continuous development may provide further research opportunities and improve project quality. Schedule necessary trainings and consider early registration for 2026 How to Do Research and Get Published webinars.
Time management and well-being
Balance multiple roles: As an author, professor, reviewer, or mentor, it's crucial to set boundaries and prioritize tasks according to deadlines and impact. Consider using digital calendars or task management tools to allocate dedicated time blocks for writing, teaching, reviewing, and administrative responsibilities.
Practice self-care and maintain equilibrium: Allocate time for rest and personal activities. Maintaining balance supports sustained productivity.
Funding and grants
Seek funding and grant opportunities: Investigate forthcoming grant deadlines and start applications early to broaden potential funding sources.
Although these suggestions may seem minor, small, regular actions will build long-term accomplishments in research. Wishing you a happy, prosperous, and productive 2026.