“Do you work well under pressure?”
Yes, I can confidently say that I work well under pressure. Over the course of my academic career, I’ve learned to distinguish between positive and negative pressure and how to deal with each effectively.
For me, positive pressure is often motivating, such as tight deadlines that push me to focus on my goals or external factors that require me to prioritize differently. One way I manage this type of pressure is through regular meditation, which helps me stay calm and centered.
Negative pressure, on the other hand, usually involves stressors that could distract me from my goals. I’ve learned to manage these stressors to ensure they don’t disrupt my work.
One example from my past highlights how I handled negative pressure. Early in my academic career, I received harsh criticism from a well-known professor. His critique not only targeted my research but also became personal, which was extremely distressing and disruptive to my work. The pressure became so overwhelming that I struggled to continue my research. After consulting with colleagues and the university, I realized that his behavior was a form of academic harassment. On their advice, I distanced myself from the situation, which allowed me to regain focus on my research projects.
As a result of this experience, I launched an outreach program to help early-career researchers create better working environments, utilizing my own experience to support others in overcoming negative pressures.