How do you handle discouragement from your PI? - Please share with us!! (Apr/11/2007 )
How do you handle discouragement from your PI?
Well, did he/she sound reasonable when did so to you?
(1) Try not to take it personally, even if it was meant that way.
(2) Take a deep breath and think objectively about what was said. Figure out where you can meet his/her demands.
(3) Use what you've learned in (2) and make improvements in your work.
and most importantly (4) remember that this is a temporary situation and you're not going to work for this person the rest of your life, and that your PI's success depends on your success.
Thanks for asking the question Minnie Mouse, I think a lot of people have to deal with that.. Sadly enough.
I know that I'm young and naive, but I always thought that they were there to help you find your way and point you in the right direction..
Boy, was I wrong!.. Haha..
Anyway, I agree with Cassio. Try not to take it personally.. Take a deep breath and move on. Look if there some comments that you can work on, some extra exp that you can do.. and leave it at work...
Ideally, your PI should be a mentor and has a responsibility to you. Unfortunately, there are some PIs who only care about themselves and their research. If you are discouraged by comments from your PI, try to determine if it is constructive criticism or not. If it is constructive but maybe just a little harsh, try not to take it too personally and as others say, just leave it at work. If its just a personality clash, try to just take the comments for what it is. However, if you find that it may be more than that and maybe a bit abusive, then you may want to speak to someone confidentially, another Professor or someone who could be unbiased... for advice or whatever. But from my own experience, it is good to have more than one mentor.
Currently, I am having a bit of tension with my PI..may due to cultural differences (he is from China).
I hope it will be over soon.
9 months to go...I will survive... 
Yea, dont take things too personal sometimes.
9 months are pretty short period of time. Take it easy. 
9 months are pretty short period of time. Take it easy.
I hope my contract will end after 9 months, and not extend due to lack of results for thesis
. I have just had a talk with my PI about my projet....I have only 3 month before graduating and he said that what I have been doing till now make no sense for him.....anymore. It made sense lat month. 
.....I am at lost a little bit here. I do really want to finish but I have to re-thing everything again now...
So my advice is ....again do not take it personal, and be patience. (though I want to yell at my PI right now..... 
)
As Cassio said, this is just a temporary situation....just try to do as much as you can to meet his/her expectations.
About cultural differences....I am in the same situation...but I chose to be here so......more and more patience.....