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

12/09/24 • 14 min

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

****
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!

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

Previous Episode

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

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

Next Episode

3.15 Creating Positive Academic Environments: Insights from Sports Psychology with Dr Andrew Dewar

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

In this episode, I’m joined by Dr Andrew Dewar from Oxygen Conservation to explore how we can build more positive, motivational environments in academia using insights from sports psychology.

We dive into strategies for fostering recovery, supporting each other, and creating climates that inspire students and supervisors alike. Learn how to:

Create a supervisory relationship that cares for both the people involved AND academic performance
Boost autonomy, competence, and connection in your academic life.
Apply proven techniques from sports psychology to reduce stress and enhance performance.

Whether you’re a PhD student striving for balance or a supervisor aiming to better support your team, this conversation is packed with actionable insights to help you thrive in academia.

🎧 Tune in to discover how you can contribute to something bigger while achieving your personal and professional goals.

Links I refer to in this episode

Dr Andrew Dewar (LinkedIn)

Oxygen Conservation

Andrew’s podcast episode – From Hire to High Performance

Radical Candor by Cal Newport

So good they can’t ignore you by Cal Newport

Stephen Covey’s Circle of Influence

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

Transcript

Hello and welcome to the PhD Life Coach podcast. Do you have a word count goal at the moment? Whether you're a PhD student or academic, do you have a notional idea? You want to have 5, 000 words written by the end of the year or a chapter finished by the end of January? I'm here, not to tell you you're wrong, because we all have those goals, right?

But to help you shape goals that are going to help you way more than simply using word counts. Now this actually came from a question from on