you have a major grant to write, set aside a
minimum of two weeks and do nothing else
during that time. If the deadline is the first of
the month, use the first two weeks of the pre-
vious month for your dedicated time. All
writing projects benefit from a rest for a few
days. When you return to them, you will have
a fresh perspective and be able to improve on
the ideas and language significantly. Writing
deadlines can make one feel like they are
being squeezed like a tube of toothpaste.Know When to Say, “No”
It is always an honor to be asked to serve on
a committee, review panel, or editorial board
or to be asked to review manuscripts, write
review articles, or give lectures. If you do a
good job, you will be asked to do more. One
has to find a balance between helping others
and doing your own work. If you are a junior
faculty member, wait until you have tenure
before agreeing to serve on study sections
and grant review panels. Even more valuableis participating in research conferences where
you are invited to present your own original
research. Spend as much time as you can on
your research program. The quality of your
teaching is important, and your citizenship as
demonstrated by committee service will be
noted at the time of your promotion and
when salaries are determined. But don’t over-
do it—keep a list of the committees on which
you serve to remind yourself not to commit
to more than you realize. Choose committee
assignments that interest you so that the
time you contribute is meaningful to you. At
the same time, remember that others can
serve in your place and that your own work
must come first. This also holds true for stu-
dents and postdocs. We all benefit from com-
munity service, and we should contribute to
our communities locally, nationally, and
internationally. But we have the most to con-
tribute in all of these activities when we
devote most of our time to the science that
makes us true scientists. ■CHAPTER 2 • DEALING WITH EVERYTHING AT ONCE 131THE AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR CELL BIOLOGY