Time management and motivation

Autumn 2014

Student counselling psychologist Pia Partanen

• Monograph or article-based dissertation?

• In a research group or by yourself?

• Other responsibilities; teaching, other tasks/responsibilities • What will you participate in and why?

Oulun yliopisto, Opiskelijakeskus

Academic skills

• Learning strategies: learning to learn

• Learning regulation skills: time management and effective working methods

• Commitment to work: tenacious work routines, attitude towards work

• Motivation

• Research and writing process management: find information, practice and do it

Possible challenges:

• Time management

• Getting started on

• Proceeding

• Writing …Routines!

• Motivation

• Managing negative emotions

• Uncertainty concerning the future …and present situation, for example funding

Oulun yliopisto, Opiskelijakeskus

Objectives and time management is beneficial

because

• You know what to do and when to do

• A clear plan will help you achieve your goals in scheduled time and releases energy from constant puzzling with time usage

• After scheduled working hours you can enjoy your leisure without disturbing ”I should do” thinking

Oulun yliopisto, Opiskelijakeskus

GOAL SETTING

A good goal is a SMART-goal:

• S = spesific

• M = measurable

• A = attainable

• R = realistic

• T = timely

Make it concrete!

Splitting of objectives

• Start with the big picture, postgraduate degree, and set up an objective, for example: ”I will graduate in 3 years” (notice other studies)

• What subobjectives does it include? Subobjectives form the path towards the main objective, for example ”I will write this article”, ”I will write the abstract”

• Focus on one subobjective at a time and think carefully what kind of steps it requires from you, for example ”I will read these books”, ”I will analyze results”

• Proceed systematically step by step, for example ”today I’ll go to the library”, ”… I’ll read 50 pages”

In practice

Plan your upcoming workweek and workday in advance • Calender (weekly and daily) • ”Where will I start/continue tomorrow” • ”To do” lists

prioritization!

• Evaluate your plan and modify if necessary; what is realistic on weekly basis? On daily basis?

• Focus on things at hand! When you have started with the big picture and cut it into subobjectives you can rely on everything having it’s own time and place

• Make a commitment! If you find yourself deterred from the plan, do not worry, direct yourself towards your objectives as soon as possible. Have mercy on yourself but do not use it as an excuse for standing still.

When evaluating the need for time, NOTE

• Task difficulty level: is the substance of the task familiar to you, narrow or wide, …in foreign language

• Circumstances that the task requires: books, notes, workingplace, possible group

• The quality of the result you want to accomplish

• The time needed for finishing –ensure that you have enough!

• The ability to finally let it go!

Oulun yliopisto, Opiskelijakeskus

Efficiency in use of time, tips:

• Effective hours: when are you most efficient

• Concentration: silence or background music? The ideal time for concentrating is 20-50 min. after which a short break is needed

• Fysical environment: couch at home? or library? Not too many transitions!

• REALISTIC OBJECTIVES

• SURPRISES

• UNEXPECTED TEMPTATIONS

• ENCOURAGE YOURSELF

• RELAX

Oulun yliopisto, Opiskelijakeskus

Motivation

• Hold on to the things/substance in your research that enhances enthusiasm and interest in it What motivated you to doctoral studies in the first place?

• When you feel motivated, start working immediately

• Motivation also arises through doing (inside out vs. outside in),

• Ask for help, discuss your concerns or write about the challenges you are facing the solution is often found when you structure your thoughts

• Limit your daily/weekly working, remember leisure and relaxation

• Diminish uncertainty concerning future by increasing your knowledge about the labour-market, developing job-seeking skills, identifying your expertise!

Student’s tips for keeping up the motivation

• Clarify the structure of your thesis

• Keep the meaning/relevance and the attraction of the study clear in your mind

• Working in a group: team spirit, positive feedback

• Accountability to the group, advisor, or other supports proceeding

• Choose a working place where you get things done university, home, library or a combination of these

• Perseverance and self-management

• Once you get started, proceeding will further your motivation

• Self-esteem and sense of self-efficacy will grow trough proceeding!

• ”get it done and get a job!” Setting the dissertation in right proportions on the life axis

Getting started on..

• Start today • Start inspite of how you are feeling • Identify possible procrastination and time-killers learn how to handle

them • Start with a small piece of work • Start with the easiest part • Focus on the positive sides and outcomes of working • Prepare tomorrow’s work today • Unveil your goals to others!

My tomatoes!

If you get stuck…

• Read about your research topic to find a new angle to it

• Read a good (writing) guide, take into account the Master's Guides

• Loosen strict requirements, find new ways of doing/proceeding

• Use free writing technique, it doesn’t need to be complete at once! Writing is a process and doing it over time refines the text

• Split your thesis into smaller pieces

• Make your working with the thesis social; find a network for yourself

”Victory usually goes to those green enough to underestimate the monumental hurdles

they are facing”

-Richard Feynman-