Microscopy is an important component of some of my experiments, and it's a fitting analogy for how I've viewed my postdoctoral training. At first, I look with almost child-like awe at what lies before me under the microscope. As always, there's that small joy at the instant when the plane comes into sharp focus, and everything becomes clear. But after observing and analysing hundreds of cells, my eyes grow tired, and so do I. My sense of wonder is replaced by weariness, and it's difficult to see past the next undertaking. Sometimes, when faced with routine tasks, it can be easy to become blind to the opportunities and to lose sight of the big picture.

This, I've learned, is a good time to take a short break and to refocus. Reflecting on almost two years of being a postdoc, I realize the importance of having a balanced outlook. Like changing a lens, examining a situation with fresh eyes often reveals a different perspective. With another look or upon closer inspection, new insights become apparent and additional possibilities emerge. As the saying goes: “When you change how you look at things, the things you look at change.” As I consider my postdoctoral research goals, I try to remind myself of this adage. After all, in a scientific career, as with microscopy, there's simply no progress without a clear vision.