Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, United States.
Division of Clinical Pharmacy, Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, United States.
FEMS Microbiol Lett. 2023 Jan 17;370. doi: 10.1093/femsle/fnad112.
In academia, saying "yes" to opportunities and "no" to distractions is crucial for effective decision-making. Here, we emphasize the importance of carefully considering commitments and courageously declining those that may lead to overextension. We highlight that discernment is vital, particularly for junior faculty/scientists and those with marginalized identities, as overcommitment can hinder career advancement. The "Fame, Fortune, and Fun test" offers a practical heuristic for evaluating opportunities, enabling academics to make informed choices. Saying "no" effectively involves preserving personal and professional integrity by declining tasks that do not align with one's abilities or interests. However, challenges in saying "no" are multifaceted, including fear of missing career advancements, pressures to please superiors or peers, and perceived negative consequences. This decision can be even more complex for individuals with minoritized identities, as additional expectations and responsibilities may arise due to implicit biases. The article provides a scheme for academics when deciding whether to accept or decline opportunities. The "Fame, Fortune, and Fun test" is a simplified scheme based on the Japanese concept of Ikigai, which comes from two words that mean life's purpose. The concept allows an individual to determine their reason for being and aim to align their time spent with as many components that satisfy the following four categories: what one loves, what one is good at, what one can be paid for, and what the world needs. The more overlap, the more alignment with Ikigai, and the more compelling reason to say yes. Once one has determined that they can say no, effectively saying "no" involves clear and direct communication, offering alternatives, expressing gratitude, and considering a "not now" approach if unable to commit immediately. To promote inclusivity, we suggest recommending individuals from diverse backgrounds for opportunities. By amplifying underrepresented voices, we can foster a healthier academic environment. Saying "no" empowers academics to prioritize meaningful contributions and maintain work-life balance. Embracing the power of "no" is essential for maintaining integrity and well-being in academia. Junior faculty/scientists and individuals with marginalized identities may face additional challenges in their decision-making. By carefully evaluating commitments and effectively declining non-aligning opportunities, academics can focus on what truly matters, fostering a supportive and thriving academic environment.
在学术界，对机会说“是”，对干扰说“不”，对于做出有效的决策至关重要。在这里，我们强调仔细考虑承诺的重要性，并勇敢地拒绝那些可能导致过度扩展的承诺。我们强调，辨别力至关重要，特别是对于初级教职员工/科学家和那些身份边缘化的人来说，因为过度承诺可能会阻碍职业发展。“名利和乐趣测试”为评估机会提供了一个实用的启发式方法，使学者能够做出明智的选择。有效地说“不”需要通过拒绝不符合自己能力或兴趣的任务来维护个人和职业操守。然而，说“不”面临着多方面的挑战，包括害怕错过职业发展机会、取悦上级或同行的压力，以及感知到的负面后果。对于身份边缘化的人来说，这个决定可能更加复杂，因为由于隐性偏见，可能会出现额外的期望和责任。本文为学者在决定是否接受或拒绝机会时提供了一个方案。“名利和乐趣测试”是一个简化的方案，基于日本的 Ikigai 概念，该概念来自两个意为生活目的的词。这个概念允许一个人确定自己的存在理由，并努力将自己的时间与满足以下四个类别的尽可能多的部分对齐：一个人热爱的、一个人擅长的、一个人可以得到报酬的、以及世界需要的。重叠越多，与 Ikigai 的一致性就越高，说“是”的理由就越充分。一旦一个人确定自己可以说“不”，有效地说“不”需要清晰和直接的沟通，提供替代方案，表达感激之情，并在无法立即承诺的情况下考虑“不是现在”的方法。为了促进包容性，我们建议推荐来自不同背景的人来获得机会。通过放大代表性不足的声音，我们可以营造一个更健康的学术环境。说“不”使学者能够优先考虑有意义的贡献，并保持工作与生活的平衡。在学术界，拥有说“不”的权力对于保持诚信和幸福至关重要。初级教职员工/科学家和身份边缘化的个人在决策时可能会面临额外的挑战。通过仔细评估承诺并有效地拒绝不相符的机会，学者可以专注于真正重要的事情，营造一个支持性和繁荣的学术环境。
