3.13 Client Q&A - Motivating yourself in your final year, achieving post-PhD goals, and effective podcast listening

12/02/24 • 26 min

The PhD Life Coach

Send Vikki any questions you'd like answered on the show!

In this episode, I answer three thought-provoking questions from PhD students and graduates:

Handling Final-Year Disappointment
A PhD student asks how to cope with the sense of disappointment that can arise in the final year when you realise your initial goals and ambitions have had to be scaled back. I explain why this is actually a good sign and how to use this understanding to motivate yourself to move forwards.
Staying Motivated Post-PhD
Charlotte, a member of my coaching programme, seeks advice on self-coaching as she works on writing papers post-PhD, with no pressing deadlines or external accountability. I explore ways to find intrinsic motivation and structure this next phase of her academic journey.
Making the Most of Podcasts
Sophie enjoys listening to podcasts while multitasking but struggles with taking notes or fully engaging with the content. I offer tips for integrating podcasts into her routine more effectively to maximise their value.

This episode is packed with practical advice for navigating common challenges in your academic journey and beyond.

Links I refer to in this episode

How to go from idea overload to clarity

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I'm Dr Vikki Wright, ex-Professor and certified life coach and I help everyone from PhD students to full Professors to get a bit less overwhelmed and thrive in academia. Please make sure you subscribe, and I would love it if you could find time to rate, review and tell your friends! You can send them this universal link that will work whatever the podcast app they use. http://pod.link/1650551306?i=1000695434464

I also host a free online community for academics at every level. You can sign up on my website, The PhD Life Coach. com - you'll receive regular emails with helpful tips and access to free online group coaching every single month! Come join and get the support you need.

Send Vikki any questions you'd like answered on the show!

In this episode, I answer three thought-provoking questions from PhD students and graduates:

Handling Final-Year Disappointment
A PhD student asks how to cope with the sense of disappointment that can arise in the final year when you realise your initial goals and ambitions have had to be scaled back. I explain why this is actually a good sign and how to use this understanding to motivate yourself to move forwards.
Staying Motivated Post-PhD
Charlotte, a member of my coaching programme, seeks advice on self-coaching as she works on writing papers post-PhD, with no pressing deadlines or external accountability. I explore ways to find intrinsic motivation and structure this next phase of her academic journey.
Making the Most of Podcasts
Sophie enjoys listening to podcasts while multitasking but struggles with taking notes or fully engaging with the content. I offer tips for integrating podcasts into her routine more effectively to maximise their value.

This episode is packed with practical advice for navigating common challenges in your academic journey and beyond.

Links I refer to in this episode

How to go from idea overload to clarity

Previous Episode

3.12 Why perfect plans fail: Embracing imperfection in academic planning

Send Vikki any questions you'd like answered on the show!

In this episode, I share a fresh approach to planning for PhD students and academics that doesn’t rely on perfection. If you’ve ever felt like planning isn’t for you because you “never stick to it,” this episode is for you. We’ll explore imperfect planning: creating flexible time structures that make it easy to pick back up after things go off track.

Tune in to learn:

Why expecting perfection derails most plans
How to make plans that support your goals without guilt
Simple tips for sticking with your goals in a flexible, realistic way

Perfect for anyone balancing research, deadlines, and the unpredictable journey of PhD life!

Links I refer to in this episode

How to use role-based time-blocking

How to plan when you hate planning

Next Episode

3.14 Why Word Count Goals Don't Work for PhD Writing – And What to Do Instead

Send Vikki any questions you'd like answered on the show!

In this episode, we’re diving into a common trap many PhD students and academics fall into: setting word count goals like “500 words a day” or “6,000 words by next month.” While these goals sound productive, they often oversimplify the complex process of academic writing.

I’ll explain why relying on word count as a measure of progress can hinder your motivation and overlook crucial aspects of writing, such as revising, outlining, and refining ideas. Most importantly, I’ll share smarter, more effective ways to track your progress and keep your writing on track without feeling overwhelmed.

If you’re struggling to stay motivated with your thesis, dissertation, or academic papers, this episode is here to help you rethink how you approach writing. Tune in to make meaningful progress without getting stuck in the word count trap!

Perfect for PhD students, early career researchers, and anyone navigating academic writing challenges.

Links I refer to in this episode

Why you shouldn’t read when you’re writing

How to plan your academic writing (with special guest Dr Jo Van Every)

How to break your work down into chunks

The PhD Life Coach - 3.13 Client Q&A - Motivating yourself in your final year, achieving post-PhD goals, and effective podcast listening

Transcript

Hello and welcome to the PhD life coach podcast. We are doing more client questions this week, where anyone who is a listener, who's on my newsletter, who's one of my members, for example, can submit questions about things they're finding challenging at the moment and I will try and answer them for you. This week I've got three questions that I think are going to resonate loads with all of you. And make sure you stay for the third one because the third one is 100 percent relevant to all of us.