Some useful things to try to beat #writersblock in the #PhD and get back in flow. A ๐งต
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#phdchat #phdlife #phdtips #AcademicTwitter @OpenAcademics @PhDVoice @PhD_Genie #thesiswriting #academicwriting #researchwriting #phdthesis #postgrad #Dissertation
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#phdchat #phdlife #phdtips #AcademicTwitter @OpenAcademics @PhDVoice @PhD_Genie #thesiswriting #academicwriting #researchwriting #phdthesis #postgrad #Dissertation
1/ first: don't sit there forcing yourself to get the motivation back. Nobody in the history of ever got motivated by telling themselves to feel motivated.
Instead, acknowledge you're not feeling it & shift focus instead. Read on... ๐๐ผ
Instead, acknowledge you're not feeling it & shift focus instead. Read on... ๐๐ผ
2/ Try reading something that usually gives you the academic equivalent of fanny flutters (!). Your favourite journo article, your fave writer, a section of your research journal, an interesting joy-giving bit of data.
That might spark some ideas to bring back into your writing
That might spark some ideas to bring back into your writing
3/ Go talk to someone about why/where you're stuck (supervisor/colleague/friend/partner) and brainstorm it out. You never know what fresh ideas + inspo come pouring out when you're in a relaxed conversation about it + not forcing the writing
4/ Do something that's still academic-ish but not directly related to the PhD. Prep a conference/journo paper. Join/create department workshop/talks. Do some public engagement activity.
That way, you're still engaging in the ideas w/o getting bogged down by the thesis itself
That way, you're still engaging in the ideas w/o getting bogged down by the thesis itself
5/ while you're doing this other academic stuff, your brain cogs are still turning, ideas/thoughts are still processing. You'll end up with lots of fresh new perspectives and ideas to bring back to your writing.
6/ can't sat this enough: MOVE YOUR BODY. Run, weightlift, gym, walk, have sex, dance, crossfit, yoga. ANYTHING. Physical movement has immense benefit. It'll literally shake you out of your stuckness. Dopamine, endorphins all uplift; you'll feel more energised to get back to it
7/ REST. Physical rest: make sure you're getting enough sleep. Sometimes you feel blocked/can't write because you're literally tired & need sleep/rest. Not just daily sleep, but regular chunks of time away. Eg full weekends, full 1-2 week vacation involving NO WORK
8/ Mental/emotional rest: do other things that you love. Hobbies, social life, family are not indulgences or luxuries. They're so necessary to give your head+heart a break. Play is so important for getting the creativity, motivation, inspo back for your writing+work.
9/ CHASE JOY not motivation. Honestly! Do the things that light you up+make you feel good. Then bring those good feelings/motivation/energy back into your work
10/ if you absolutely need to write+can't afford to take time off, try this:
Scale your writing goals down to tiny portions. Write for only 20 mins. Aim for only a 100-word para.
Taking consisten action, no matter how small, will generate motivation (not other way around)
Scale your writing goals down to tiny portions. Write for only 20 mins. Aim for only a 100-word para.
Taking consisten action, no matter how small, will generate motivation (not other way around)
11/ above all: be kind to yourself+find the work groove that works best for you.
Remember that productivity looks different for everyone
and
motivation isn't meant to be 100% switched on 24/7. It ebbs & flows. Allow that + move with the flow instead of resisting it
Remember that productivity looks different for everyone
and
motivation isn't meant to be 100% switched on 24/7. It ebbs & flows. Allow that + move with the flow instead of resisting it
12/ {aside: #humandesign helps massively for figuring out ur best writing flow. E.g. Gens/MGs will write better when you find something to respond to/that feels joyful. Projectors work best in a 4-hour day+motivation will look very different for you than for Gens/MGs}
13/ Finally, reframe writers block from something bad to something useful. If you're blocked, procrastinating, feeling discomfort w ur writing - get curious about that. What is really beneath the writers block? What is it telling you? What are you avoiding?
14/ eg maybe you realise youre feeling shaky abt the literature+worry that writing about it will show up what you don't know.
So then you can go read more+strengthen your knowledge.
Poke beneath the discomfort + find out what's really going on so you can address it+move fwd.
So then you can go read more+strengthen your knowledge.
Poke beneath the discomfort + find out what's really going on so you can address it+move fwd.
n/n that's it for now, folks. Hope that helps you get back on the writing wagon!
Or! Join me & @MushtaqBilalPhD on Tues 14 June 5pmBST/12pmEST for a Space about how we wrote up our entire #thesis in just one year.
Diary it: twitter.com/i/spaces/1yNGaโฆ
Or! Join me & @MushtaqBilalPhD on Tues 14 June 5pmBST/12pmEST for a Space about how we wrote up our entire #thesis in just one year.
Diary it: twitter.com/i/spaces/1yNGaโฆ
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