My seven secrets of survival: Professor Anna Dominiczak OBE

1 I believe that being a bit of a workaholic is no bad thing, but I do try hard to keep Saturdays free for relaxing. No matter how demanding my work, it's essential for me to make time to take our cocker spaniel, Chuck, for a walk in Mugdock Country Park. I'll also have my hair done at Taylor Ferguson, on Bath Street in Glasgow, and enjoy a spot of shopping. Giving yourself a well-earned reward helps to keep you motivated.

2 The very nature of my job as a clinical academic is to do three or four different jobs – sometimes all in one day. This needs meticulous organisation, attention to detail and skilful delegation. Conducting research, seeing patients and teaching are each full-time jobs in their own right and being able to delegate when you have so many tasks is essential. Wherever I can, I choose to speak to people in person rather than send e-mails as it helps keep things clutter-free.

3 I have had to learn the hard way how to say "no" from time to time. A year before a big meeting, when you are asked to give a lecture, the easiest thing in the world is to say yes. But it's very important to check whether this particular invitation will be right for you, teach you something and be good for your university and your team. If none of the above is true, one has to learn to decline without causing offence. One nice phrase I have come up with is: "The book chapter/talk/PhD thesis you propose I write/deliver/examine is extremely important and yet I realise that I would not be able to give it all the attention is deserves. May I suggest someone else?"

4 If things don't work first time, I try again and never give up, even if it sometimes means taking a risk. Perseverance is one of the most important ingredients of any successful career. My husband, Marek, a consultant clinical biochemist at Gartnavel Hospital, and I wouldn't have been able to build the careers we have if we hadn't taken a risk in coming to Scotland. We were working in Malta when martial law was declared in Poland by the communist regime and we knew that the international research we wanted to undertake would only be possible in the West.

5 It's very important to develop a "Teflon coat". In research, it's the usual pattern to take two steps forward and three steps backwards. There will always be setbacks and challenges and there's no point getting depressed about it. I just keep going and things eventually look up.

6 I believe that leaders are born not bred, but all of us can try to improve our leadership skills. It helps to observe and try to learn from charismatic and inspirational leaders. But the opposite is also true, you need to learn from those who get it all wrong. Bullying, for example, is the nasty face of leadership. Once experienced, it will never be forgotten and you have to develop special skills to fight and prevent it.

7 As I get older, I get new sources of satisfaction every day. For example, I'm very proud of the achievements of my son Peter, who was born in Bishopbriggs and has a lovely Glasgow accent. He is now a journalist working in London. At work, too, it's fantastic to build winning teams, develop new directions and help other people flourish. I enjoy seeing young, enthusiastic team members giving their first presentation at an international meeting or securing their first research grant. And the real beauty of it all is that at the end of the day, we might improve the cardiovascular health of Scotland.

• Professor Anna Dominiczak OBE is the British Heart Foundation's professor of cardiovascular medicine at the University of Glasgow.