9 . Hard work has been part of every prize-winner’s journey towards the Nobel Prize. Early-career scientists often ask prize-winner how to strike a balance between work and life.     1    

Spend time with your family and friends.

Many winners stress the value of maintaining personal relationships. Doctor Brian Kobilka was awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry.     2     However, despite a heavy workload, he also made time for his family. As Brian Kobilka explains, family provides essential support.

Sleep well at night.

    3     It is therefore attractive to finish work before health-promoting activities. However, this is a trap which Oliver Smithies advises against. Not only is sleep needed to stay healthy, but your brain needs sleep to function at full capacity so you can generate ideas and solve problems.

    4    

Family, work and sleep are all important to a scientist’s success. But they don’t all have to be a constant focus. Sometimes it will be important to avoid maintaining everything at a high level. Don’t be frightened by the idea you have to do everything perfectly at once. You can have a different focus at different times.

Don’t work too hard.

Ultimately, working too hard won’t be beneficial. Not only do you risk burning yourself out, but you are also restricted in your thinking. Taking time away from work can allow you to approach problems in a new way.     5     Prize-winners often point out that working long hours doesn’t always lead to efficiency.