How to write your PhD thesis #1: Calm Focus

For a full transcript of this video, go to phd.academy/blog/academic-wri...
Also check out my upcoming writing course: phd.academy/the-writing-course
0:00 Academic writing can be enjoyable
0:16 Why is academic writing so hard?
1:11 The importance (and challenge) of calm focus
2:26 Block the internet!
3:05 Staying with the task
3:53 Developing skill and confidence as a writer

[@James_Hayton]

What do you think of this video? Are you able to stay calm and focused while you write? And if not, what do you do?

[@tyavfm]

I focus on what I have to do instead of on staying calm.

[@chillkroeteYaYa]

This Video could not have come at a better time for me. I am writing a PhD in Philosophy and I find myself growing more and more impatient with my writing process. I think I might be underestimating how many tasks I try to do at once. Really helpful video! Your tips are keeping me sane.

[@EmiWoodScully]

This is exactly what I needed to hear! I’m getting my PhD in literature (if I can ever get started on this dissertation!) & I often find myself constantly going to KZbin videos or Facebook… Instagram… Whatever… when things get difficult and I get overwhelmed. My advisor also recommended that the most important skill that I need to practice is thinking and slowing down and remaining calm. Thank you!

[@simoncherwell]

Thanks for taking the time to make this video. Based on experience so far with my PhD, I totally agree with the need for calm focus. It sounds really obvious, but the thing which has helped me the most is working out exactly what I want to say before I start writing a section. So I write bullet points and get that really clear first and then expand. I use short 'pomodoro' sessions for writing.

[@user-og9wo8mc1q]

Resonant breathing is a great technique to use to keep calm. As is meditation. Just hard to do it sometimes when the pressure is building and a million things are running through your head.

[@ryankemp3320]

Really enjoyed this video and keep thinking about your point re: making decisions. I am a historian and often feel completely overwhelmed by the amount of literature, sources, and details in my notes - I am currently turning my (already overlength) thesis into a book and have a further 500 pages of really useful information which 'could' be included. Your videos really helped me realise that I hadn't been exercising or building that muscle of decision making for a very long time. Superb content.

[@anketrischler2500]

I really like the idea of enjoying writing. Yes, it does work if one calms down for the process. Thanks for the video - I did subscribe for the course as I do appreciate the manner how you guide along the topics.

[@SuperAndrewization]

Thank you for the tips on how to block the Internet, tried it today and was so much more productive than usual, single handedly saving my thesis

[@dalystamayo5067]

It's great! I usually take three days before writing a piece of text in any academic task. Thanks

[@nf-ib2cr]

Sooo true😊

[@naizakharia2730]

This is very, very good.

[@James_Hayton]

Thanks!