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Success is not the key to happiness. Happiness is the key to success. If you love what you are doing, you will be successful. Albert Schweitzer
Finally, after a great deal of effort and hard work, you have obtained the results you were trying to get for such a long time. You may be so busy (and tired) that you dont even realize that you have indeed achieved a certain measure of success. Perhaps it will take a few more months before you can present your work at a conference or submit it to a scientic journal. But what you present or submit for publication will be based on the results you have just obtained. You have reached an important milestone, so its time to celebrate! All too often success is not celebrated properly, and you just set your nose back to the grindstone without even taking a moment to pat yourself on the back. In this chapter we make an argument for the importance of celebrating your success, as well as taking the time to thank others for their contribution and support. So whatever you do, close your lab notebook, turn off the Bunsen burner, and take a moment to bask in the rewards of hard work.
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with the way that athletes celebrate their triumphs. We have all seen pictures of overowing champagne bottles or athletes cavorting with glee as they cross the nish line ahead of the pack. In fact, every sport has its own tradition, where the research world seems to be at a loss about how to throw a proper party. We are serious scientists, after all! But sometimes its necessary to let your hair down and have a party. Apart from the fun involved, it is a great way to celebrate your success.
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(against all odds)? Why has nobody else performed these experiments? What triggered the research? What helped you in getting the data rst, before anyone else? Whos assistance has been critical? Analyzing the reasons for your success might help you in the next phase of your research. Luck is for those who know how to nd it. 3. Celebrations create a positive atmosphere. When you and your co-workers celebrate progress on a regular basis, you will create a winners mood within the group. In such an atmosphere your team will nd more inspiration to tackle the next problem, helping to pave the way to the next milestone.
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and other celebratory goodies to the lab the day after you obtained the key data for your article. Whatever you do, use your imagination and do something fun for yourself and those around you. Everybody enjoys a good party. So take a moment to raise your glass and toast yourself and those around you for a job well done.