What’s a good habit to get into at work?
Ask A Biologist Monday 2/13/23
Answers from Biologists:
Make sure you’re taking days off during the field season to re-set and rest.
Bring extras of items. Pencils, memory cards, batteries, etc.
Check your field notes before you leave the field.
Set boundaries for work/life balance.
Use packing lists and double-check it when all the gear is in the truck.
Have a gear list you always check before field days to avoid forgetting something.
Always keep the truck fueled. Last thing you need is an emergency and no fuel.
Put flagging tape on everything.
Tag things with flagging tape.
Take pictures of data written on paper before you head back from the field.
Eat at consistent times.
Date everything.
Take time to fill out data sheets completely and right away so you don’t forget key information later.
Have extra boot laces on hand.
Set up data collection sheets that include automated checks to catch errors on input.
Immediately writing/recording/storing data. Don’t want to lose any precious points.
Complete the whole data sheet, even if there is missing info, write good notes.
Comment your R scripts with enough detail so someone else (or future you) can understand it.
Restock you field pack every day so you aren’t missing anything the next time you go out.
Have physical checklists even if it feels tedious.
Make a check list of all the data sheets and data that needs to be entered after collection.
Have consistent data sheets.
Get adequate sleep and fuel your body properly. You can’t run on fumes.
Keep your first aid kits up to date and check expirations.
Keep a planner. Good to look back on when you did something and set reminders.
Check and double check you have all the gear you need for the field before heading out.
Field gear checklists before you leave.
Sunscreen.
Pack your personal back the night before so you don’t forget anything.
Scan data sheets at the end of the day before anything gets lost in the shuffle.
Write things down (on paper). Back up in case phone/computer crashes.
Write down what you do each day so you can easily reference it to update you resume or for annual reviews.
Take photos of your datasheet before photos of each animal/plant/etc. so you know which is which.
Type up field notes and take photos of them each day. Saves stress and money if you lose them.
A methodological approach to tasks that limits the chance of errors.
Save ArcMap regularly.
Always bring backup gear.
Allow yourself to have bad days and not beat yourself up for it.
Turn off your work phone/computer/close email when not at work.
Take detailed notes. During meetings, fieldwork, project plannings etc.
Don’t share your personal number with the public, even conservation oriented people. Keep boundaries.
Bring an extra pair of socks and a raincoat no matter the weather forecast. Wet socks are the worst.
Remove jewelry before fieldwork.
Get First Aid/CPR certified and be prepared with medical supplies.
Embrace the dirt.
Take pictures of datasheets or scan them.
Clean your field gear and vehicle daily or weekly.
Scan everything as soon as you get back to the office (or sync if it’s digital).
Journal so you don’t forget everything that happened.
Track your hours. When I hit 40 for the week, I’m out.
Take photos of yourself and your fieldwork set up. They’re great to have for presentations later.
