Well, here I am, 8 days after my last post. How much have I really accomplished in the last week? Well, I have about 5 pages of different sections of a chapter draft; I've been coding interviews and going through articles for a content analysis. That might sound good, but honestly, I could have had more to show. I keep googling articles about how to balance a full time job (although currently, there is a lull in my job as I mentioned in the last post), parenting, and getting a dissertation finished. I've read some encouraging advice, such as write for 2 hours per day or set a goal of 2 pages per day. I've met up with two comrades in the journey in the past week, which although it took time away from writing and researching, was invaluable for my morale. I'm just tired of feeling isolated and that this task is impossible.
Recently, a friend invited me to a group on Facebook about walking for 45 minutes per day for 30 days (or maybe it was 15 days?). I really wanted to join in, but I kept making excuses. I think that I really need to commit to daily exercise to keep my energy up and my mind moving. However, in lieu of this, I was thinking of setting my own 30 day challenge. Of course I'm hesitant, because I don't want to fail. I thought of informally starting last week, and I kind of did, but then I said "forget it" to myself. For a few evenings, I binged watched a show on Amazon Prime and just kept saying that I was too tired (even if I am, still...). I was thinking, that since I'll need to be even more purposeful and creative in carving out times for diss work in the fall, I should say that I'll work for at least one 30 minute slot on my dissertation in the evenings (after the kids go to bed). In addition to this, I need to find 2 hours during the day to get work done. I know that this might have to be adjusted once classes start since I'm not 100% sure of my schedule. However, I can surely do that and more during most weeks this summer. I was also thinking of this: 30 minutes of coding/reviewing transcripts/notes PLUS 30 minutes of writing every evening. Of course, getting into the habit is half the battle, as is with sticking to an exercise plan. In lieu of this, I recall some great advice I received from Cloud Nine, author of the "I hate my PhD" blog. Work on your dissertation for 3 hours per day. You don't always have to feel like you have to work on it for 7 hours straight. Sometimes it's better to set a more realistic goal at first.
Now I'm just thinking, when should I start this challenge? Should I include weekends (which has its own challenges with a husband and 2 kids), or just stick to the 5-day work week? I'm also aware that a holiday weekend is coming up. Maybe I can try this out for 15 days....
Recently, a friend invited me to a group on Facebook about walking for 45 minutes per day for 30 days (or maybe it was 15 days?). I really wanted to join in, but I kept making excuses. I think that I really need to commit to daily exercise to keep my energy up and my mind moving. However, in lieu of this, I was thinking of setting my own 30 day challenge. Of course I'm hesitant, because I don't want to fail. I thought of informally starting last week, and I kind of did, but then I said "forget it" to myself. For a few evenings, I binged watched a show on Amazon Prime and just kept saying that I was too tired (even if I am, still...). I was thinking, that since I'll need to be even more purposeful and creative in carving out times for diss work in the fall, I should say that I'll work for at least one 30 minute slot on my dissertation in the evenings (after the kids go to bed). In addition to this, I need to find 2 hours during the day to get work done. I know that this might have to be adjusted once classes start since I'm not 100% sure of my schedule. However, I can surely do that and more during most weeks this summer. I was also thinking of this: 30 minutes of coding/reviewing transcripts/notes PLUS 30 minutes of writing every evening. Of course, getting into the habit is half the battle, as is with sticking to an exercise plan. In lieu of this, I recall some great advice I received from Cloud Nine, author of the "I hate my PhD" blog. Work on your dissertation for 3 hours per day. You don't always have to feel like you have to work on it for 7 hours straight. Sometimes it's better to set a more realistic goal at first.
Now I'm just thinking, when should I start this challenge? Should I include weekends (which has its own challenges with a husband and 2 kids), or just stick to the 5-day work week? I'm also aware that a holiday weekend is coming up. Maybe I can try this out for 15 days....
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