Week 142, Day 987.
Last week, I spoke about my lack of routine and how that has negatively affected my productivity, focus, and work-life balance. As soon as I finished that post, I decided to take action! I sat down with an A2 piece of paper and made a list of all the main sections of my thesis and next to these wrote out, using some serious self-reflection, how long I think it will realistically take me to complete each section to produce a first draft of my thesis. The consensus is 8.5 months... that’s not accounting for any annual leave or extenuating circumstances. Let me be clear, that’s not for a final, or even a reviewed draft, that’s the time it will take me to write my first draft. And before you think I’m majorly overestimating, I ran this plan past my supervisors and they all agreed that my estimations are correct, so, nerrrr. Taking into account that my fist submission deadline is March 2021, I am still on track to meet it! 🎉 ...assuming I achieve everything on time... no pressure...
The next thing I did was decide which section of my thesis to tackle first and after doing so sub divided that section into smaller categories. I then structured every single working day this month, almost hour by hour (including time for breaks), so that I don’t veer off track. I have followed this “routine maxima” for just over a week now and although it has been difficult adjusting to it, it has done me wonders. Picture: Genuinely though. Source: @rubyetc
I always said that a PhD is more of a marathon than a sprint, however it’s time to pick up the pace. Therefore, I don’t have a lot of time off scheduled in at the moment, but I would rather sacrifice aspects of my life and put in the work to get to the finish line ASAP, instead of letting this journey drag on longer than it needs to.
Sadly, my only day off this week is for yet another funeral... 4 in 1.5 years... sigh. 🌧 Anyhow, thank you to 715+ of you that follow me <3 !
Top tip for the week if you have a hefty task at hand: DO NOT UNDERESTIMATE HOW LONG IT WILL TAKE YOU.. and look after yourself. That is all. ☀ Picture: A meme of how I regularly feel during catch ups with my supervisors (Leela). Source: Tumblr.













