Posted by Vacations in schools have already started, in universities it is that moment when employees go on their first vacations, so we are starting a series of posts about books describing competencies in a light and enjoyable way.
The first such item is “Fire up your thinking. How to achieve personal and professional success. 9 simple habits and strategies” by Ozan Varol. It should be noted right away that the book is quite thick and heavy – for a suitcase or a backpack… it’s a bit unsuitable, unless you’re traveling by car. But for that it reads lightly and with great curiosity.
The author, as a young scientist, worked on many projects at NASA, so we will learn here many examples from astronautics and space conquest in the last two decades. However, the examples themselves are only a vehicle for learning about the important competencies of a researcher, aiming to make things happen and problems can be solved.
The book is divided into three parts analogous to the flight of a rocket: launch, acceleration and finish. In each of them the author presents various methods of managing research projects, which are also applicable to different areas of life, aiming to produce something new or solve existing problems.
We’ll learn how to challenge established ways of thinking, how not to be dumbed down when everyone is wrong, why it’s worth reversing the “measure your strengths” principle, and how to turn defeat into victory.
About the author:
Ozan Varol is a researcher, award-winning lecturer and professor of law at Lewis & Clark College in Portland. He was born in Turkey, then studied in the United States. He worked on the Mars Exploration Rovers project (2003) and other NASA space mission projects.