Battling procrastination

If you have a tendency to procrastinate, are easily distracted, have a very busy schedule, and/or seek work-life balance, you could benefit from productivity hacks to organize the work sessions dedicated to your thesis:

The pomodoro technique

The pomodoro technique involves breaking your work into intervals, typically 25 minutes of focused work followed by a short break. Each 25-minute period is called a “pomodoro”, the Italian word for “tomato”, from the tomato-shaped kitchen timer. After completing four “pomodoros”, take a longer break. This method helps maintain focus, prevent burnout, and increase productivity by working in short, manageable bursts.

The bubble structure technique

The bubble structure technique involves dividing your work into distinct “bubbles” of focused periods of time dedicated to specific tasks or projects. Each bubble represents uninterrupted time devoted to a single task, allowing you to work efficiently and maintain concentration. By eliminating distractions and prioritizing tasks within each bubble, you can increase productivity and make progress on your thesis. Unlike the pomodoro technique, the bubble structure technique allows for flexibility in the time set to each specific bubble (from 15 minutes to several hours).

The Miracle Morning’s Life S.A.V.E.R.S.

The Life S.A.V.E.R.S. have been conceptualized by Hal Elrod in his book The Miracle Morning. This book encourages you to wake up extra early (say at 4 a.m. or 5 a.m.) to have a few hours just by yourself each morning. This is invaluable when you have kids or live with roommates, for instance. S.A.V.E.R.S. is an acronym for six morning habits designed to boost productivity and well-being: Silence, Affirmations, Visualization, Exercise, Reading, and Scribing (writing). By incorporating these activities into your morning routine, you can enhance focus, motivation, and overall productivity throughout the day.

Apps for time management

Many apps (on smartphones and laptops) are available to help you manage tasks, track progress, and maintain focus, by including tools such as tasks lists, reminders, time tracking, and goal setting. You could for instance use Todoist, Trello, Asana, Evernote, or Notion. Experiment with different apps to find ones which suit your workflow and preference. Be careful not to spend more time specifying each and every tiny possible detail on your app than on actually working on your thesis…

Limited time to check emails

Check your emails only twice a day, once in the morning and once in the late afternoon, and that’s it. Otherwise, it interrupts your workflow and distracts you. That tip was given to me by my supervisor when I started my PhD. And it’s true that in academia, there’s nothing so urgent that it has to be solved within the hour.

Keep your smartphone at bay

Have your smartphone out of sight, on silent mode. Otherwise, if you see it or hear it when working on your thesis, you’ll be likely to grab it, start checking the latest notifications, and then you end up spending way too much time on social media, news outlets, online games, etc. and not on productively working towards your goal of achieving a successful thesis (or working on another assignment which gets you closer to completing your studies, and so closer to a more financially independent life).

Mind mapping

Use Mind mapping with tools such as MindMeister or draw them by hand to visualize ideas, concepts, and information in an interconnected manner. It involves creating a diagram or “map” which starts with a central idea or topic and branches out into related subtopics, themes, or details. Make it visually inspiring, engaging, and memorable. Use keywords, phrases, or images to represent ideas and concepts within each branch and sub-branch. Use colors, symbols, icons, or images to differentiate between different branches and highlight key points or relationships. Mind mapping allows for flexibility and creativity in organizing and structuring your ideas. You can easily add, remove, or rearrange branches and sub-branches as your thesis evolves and new ideas emerge.

Accountability partners

Consider an accountability partner. Pair up with a peer to hold each other accountable for progress, share challenges, and provide support and encouragement. Accountability partners regularly check in with each other to discuss progress, challenges, and successes related to their goals. Accountability partners can collaborate on developing action plans or strategies to accomplish their goals. They may brainstorm ideas, provide feedback, and offer suggestions for overcoming obstacles and challenges. They provide a source of inspiration and motivation for one another. They also benefit from the honest and constructive feedback each gives the other, helping to identify areas for improvement and offering suggestions for overcoming obstacles.

Single task

Focus on one task at a time to avoid multitasking, which can lead to reduced efficiency and increased mental fatigue. Avoid the cognitive overload which comes with trying to juggle multiple tasks simultaneously. You can complete a single task more quickly and with greater accuracy than if you are multitasking or constantly switching between tasks. The brain struggles to manage multiple competing demands at the same time. By focusing your attention on one task, you can achieve a state of deep concentration and flow, leading to higher quality work and enhanced productivity.

Do things your future self will be thankful for

Make choices and establish habits which will benefit you in the long run. When applied to the context of writing a thesis, it involves prioritizing activities and behaviors which support your physical, mental, and emotional well-being. For instance, prioritize sleep, exercise, nutrition, and stress management to maintain overall well-being and support your cognitive functions during the thesis-writing process. Adequate sleep is essential for cognitive function, memory consolidation, and overall well-being. Exercise has numerous benefits for both physical and mental health, including reduced stress, improved mood, increased energy levels, and enhanced cognitive function. Incorporating regular physical activity into your routine can help alleviate stress, boost creativity, and enhance concentration during the thesis-writing process. Proper nutrition plays a key role in supporting brain health and cognitive function. It is important to nourish your body with nutrient-dense foods promoting sustained energy, mental clarity, and concentration. Avoid excessive caffeine, sugary snacks, and processed foods, as they can lead to energy crashes and decreased productivity. To deal with the stress which comes with the thesis journey, incorporate stress-relief strategies such as deep breathing exercises, meditation, mindfulness practices, or journaling into your daily routine to promote relaxation, reduce anxiety, and improve mental resilience.