Tip # 5 – Delegate, subcontract or get an assistant

I recognize that this tip may be a little bit more complicated to implement than others simply because it may (or may not) entail some cash disbursement. But this particular tip has been perhaps the one that gave me the highest degree of productivity in 2004-2006.

One particular shortcoming I’ve found in the academic world is a lack of research manager positions. It seems as though the funding bodies think that researchers also have to do their own budgeting, booking airplane tickets, etc. What is a research manager, you ask? Well, the person who runs all the administrative and logistical support for a researcher. The “behind the scenes” crew. Two of my very best friends (both of them civilians) have held positions like these (in Canada). But they were exceptions to the rule. Most granting agencies won’t fund a research manager position (that is my experience).

I have been in both sides of the world. During graduate school, I was a research assistant. I had to go and photocopy journal articles, book chapters. I did online and archival research, etc. When I did independent research, I hired a personal/project assistant, and my productivity went through the roof. I delegated all the administrative and non-scholarly tasks to my project assistant, who through time became my research manager.

Granted, not everyone can do that simply because you need money to pay for help (most of the time). But for example, you could crowdsource stuff (if you want to know all about crowdsourcing, talk to my friend Monica Hamburg). Delegate the tasks that you can within your budget and organizational structure. Don’t try to do everything yourself. There is always someone out there who does what you need and in the end you will save time and energy. And as somebody said, time is the currency of life!

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