The Hamster Wheel of Academia
- naomityrrellphd
- Mar 11
- 2 min read
Do you feel like you are on a the hamster wheel of academia?
Are you doing more and more, spinning faster and faster, feeling like there is never enough time to get everything done?
That, my friend, is the hamster wheel of academia. Commonly experienced and normalised.
Are You on the Hamster Wheel to Burnout?
In my view, it is not called out for what it is often enough. We may blame ourselves for 'not being good enough' when in fact there is too much work for the time available.
If the hamster wheel of academia isn't working for you - or if you are affected by redundancy - it might well be time to do something different!
I Am Not a Hamster!
If the never-ending academic hamster wheel resonates with you, let's say together:
'I Am Not a Hamster!'
The hamster wheel maybe all you know, it may be what you worked so hard for, it may be all you feel you can do, it may be what you currently cry over. I hear you. I have been there.
You Have Options
The TRUTH is there are many things YOU can do!
Slowly or quickly, partially or fully, immediately or in a few years - YOU have options!
Does the hamster wheel of academia deserve the best years of your life?
I decided it didn't deserve the best years of mine so in 2019, I said:
'I Am Not A Hamster.'
I left academia and set-up two businesses.
Business 1: Research Your Way - research, evaluation, impact assessment, training, coaching, mentoring.
Business 2: Naomi Tyrrell PhD - coaching, mentoring, workshops, two children's books, a book for parents.
I was in academia for 18 years. Did I have my next steps all figured out?
Nope!
Has it all worked out well?
Yep!
I work part-time, from home; I love what I do and I earn more money than when I was a full-time academic.
So, if you have decided to say 'I Am Not A Hamster' like I did in 2019, what is your next step?
Looking For Support?
Check out my new Leaving Academia to Thrive Course
Download my free Online Career and Impact Workshops Brochure and get your university to bring me in to deliver training on researcher career development, leaving academia well, and research impact!
Connect with me on LinkedIn and grow your network through mine!
Book a 1:1 Coaching Call and get my bespoke advice and support
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