Data processing can be time-consuming, but it’s an essential skill. If you don’t handle repetitive tasks smartly, they can drag on. Plus, knowing how to manage these tasks easier will save us time for more meaningful things or give us a minute to relax.
For example, during my thesis, I learned how to make some tasks on the computer faster and more automated. As a result, I could focus on more relevant jobs, invest more time in hobbies I enjoyed, and even write this blog.
The lab’s most valuable resource is time, and using it wisely is the key to success. So, in this article, I wanted to share eight tips that I’ve found helpful to make repetitive tasks easier:
“He who can copy can do” -Leonardo da Vinci.
When it comes to working fast, using prepared templates and protocols is essential. Let’s say we are repeating an experiment a third time while using the same conditions; the number of samples is different. We can write the protocol from the beginning, copy it from our previous experiment, and make small changes.
The best way to accomplish this is using an electronic lab notebook, such as Notability. With this app, you can upload separate protocols in the same notebook, add hand-written comments, mark progress with an Apple pen, and, most importantly, use the lasso tool. This tool allows me to copy and paste previous hand-written calculations and to update relevant information, such as the number of wells and the outcome of my calculations.
For a quick tutorial on using the lasso tool cleverly, I’d recommend watching this short video – it’s straightforward.
Alternatively, you can prepare a template in excel for your calculations. Or, you can check out the collection of electronic protocols for typical assays used in research (work in progress) here.
Combine fun and work
We are tempted to passively perform repetitive tasks and to divide our focus. While outlining irregular wound scratch assays, I sometimes watch TV or do something else. When I outline them, the program I use mustn’t freeze or lag, the process itself should be as smooth as possible, and mistakes should be easy to fix. It works for tasks that do not require full attention and are easy to fix if something goes wrong. To outline irregular migration assays, which lack contrast to the background, investing in an Apple pen was extremely valuable.
The picture was generated via the link, using Bart Simpson Chalkboard Generator.
Optimize your focus
The first thing to optimize your focus is to identify tasks requiring a high level of attention. These tasks demand thinking or cost a lot of resources (time, materials) to fix if a mistake has been made. As a result, I have developed several ‘hacks’ that have helped me stay focused on what I’m supposed to be doing. Firstly, you can track your progress on known protocols even when you are tired or multitask between experiments by marking ticks as you proceed. Changing the alignment of test tubes after working with them is another trick. A task that is not recorded on paper is not completed. Successful focus begins with a break during which you wind up and satisfy your basic needs.
Whatever you can batch process, do it
In the world of computers, there’s this thing called ‘macro,’ which enables you to batch process almost anything. I have a video about this, and if you want to find out more, I have a pretty awesome guidebook about batch processing in image j, excel (in progress).
The idea behind macro is that we don’t push buttons or icons repetitively to perform the exact same task on the program. Instead, we teach a computer what steps to do, which files to process, and where and how to export outcomes.
And if you’ve had that experience where you’ve pressed a thousand times the same three buttons on the program, and you’ve entirely started to feel like a robot, that’s just because you haven’t given this task yet to macro, an actual robot that should have been doing this in the first place.
Save time by investing in time-saving skills.
There is something about the word programming that can instantly induce anxiety for some people. It’s especially true when we’re just starting something, and we don’t know what we’ll be able to achieve. At the start of any learning, we need an injection of positivity, simplicity, and instant results to see whether it is worth our efforts. But if we can see that these results are applicable and save us time, like understanding basic programming to batch process our data, we should dive into it.
Whether you want to batch process your data using image j, Excel, or R or simply survive your biostatistics class, here is a basic introduction to programming.
There is no need to do everything on your own
As my friend advised, I should place my pride/fear of asking for help deep in the drawer and lock it. It can be retrieved after meeting people. There is a huge chance that someone has already faced your issue or has enough experience to handle it smarter, not harder. Indeed, dealing with people has its peculiarities, such as working on a collective project, but as the African proverb goes, “Go alone if you want to go fast. If you want to go far, go together.” [1]. Do I always listen to my friends’ advice? My heart tells me it’s the right way to implement it, even if I’m not always convinced.
Choose bare-minimum time for implementing tasks.
Most of the time, I do tedious, repetitive tasks with a timer because starting is the biggest problem, and I keep putting it off. To make your lazy days’ tasks more manageable, pick the minimum time to complete them. Compounding effects work in the end, so sometimes it’s better to do a bit than nothing. If it worked in economics, it would work for you too.
Conclusions
Time is the only currency people steel; they quickly trade but never get it back. Your time in the lab or doing something you enjoy is worth more than being a robot pressing the buttons, so do repetitive tasks smarter, not harder.
[1] Whitby Andrew. Who first said: if you want to go fast, go alone; if you want to go far. Accessed on the Internet [3 Jan 2023]. Available via link
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