June 29

I need to be more blunt at times. Crisp, clean delivery. Too often, I end up rambling. 

Like Jonny Kim said: Maximize information per word.

I need to remind myself to respond quickly, crisply, and forcefully to the myriad things that come my way. It reflects a deeper need to instill (and re-instill) confidence in myself. Practice makes perfect. This CHRB grant has given me a much-needed boost in that department, and I must now channel it into further forward progress. 

Confidence can go into my scheduling as well. "I'm going to block off 60 minutes to do this thing, and at the end of it, I will be done." Boom. On to the next thing.

Let's make it happen, beginning today.

Step by step. Vigorously.

June 22

Irrespective of what others are thinking, I am excited about the work I am doing. 

For the CAREER: My career goal is to make a microswimmer that moves efficiently in any ECM. This will change the way diseases are treated, from fibrosis to cancer to biofilms to atherosclerosis. The CAREER award will set me on the path toward reaching that goal.

June 17

The CAREER needs to be a souped-up version of the successful GRFP proposal. You've got to inspire the review panel. It needs to have the same energy, the same verve as that did. 

My dream is to be the guy who used nanotechnology effectively to provide clean water to the world. Or...

My dream is to change the way cancer is treated.

A stroke of inspiration struck me that evening in Tempe. (You could probably draw a causal line, with a decent amount of weight, between then and where I am now.) The same needs to happen this time. 

June 14 - stuff to talk about

Wanting to take a break and simultaneously work all the time

"crushing pressure" to get grants

Dealing with Shrishti

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The talk with JK tonight was helpful. 

I really need to figure out how to break things into fine-grained, doable chunks that I can make my way through. An example is the CAREER. Tomorrow, let me map out the process of applying for the CAREER award, from beginning to end. 

Step by step, all the way to the actual steps.