(Untitled)

[latvianchick]

I urgently - URGENTLY - need something that 1) needs to be done and 2) is so unpleasant that I'd rather work on my dissertation

Comments

[ancarett]

I don't know if I can manufacture any evil tasks you'd rather not do, but a cheerleader who tells you to get on with it never hurts. So, having someone you can check in each morning or afternoon or whenever you commit to working on the material is nice -- they'll tell you "Good on you! I'll keep you encouraged!" all the way through

[feministyogini]

Your advice is really helpful for me too as I'm currently revising my dissertation.

[ancarett]

I'm glad that I could help. My dissertation adviser was very pragmatic, concerned simply about getting it "good enough to go out" and not on perfecting the piece. It's a wise bit of advice for any writing situation.

And breaking down each chapter's revisions into a to-do list really helps me get through various road blocks as in a few writing projects that I'm juggling right now. It may not be fun, but it works! *goes back to the word processing screen with a sigh*

[gobsmacked]

Try deleting all the games, too.

[gobsmacked]

Tsk, tsk. At least I wasted time playing Zeus/Age of Empires/Pharaoh.

[anadel1976]

Cleaning the oven is the one that makes me work. Also sorting out the draws or sorting out my research files/notes and giant chocolate buttons as nothing ever happens without those.

Also having a friend constantly checking on me telling me to start writing helps too.

[gobsmacked]

This kind of thing works for me.

[cheez_ball]

*looks over at proposal that sitting in another window, barely touched for today*

How about breaking it into smaller pieces? If you're in revision stage, just revise one section, or sub-section, today. Then do a different one tomorrow. If you're still writing material, how about setting a goal, like a page or half page a day? Or 1 hour of uninterrupted work each day?

If/when you make your goal, reward yourself with something fun. Like another cup of coffee. :-)