Oddly effective ways to increase writing motivation | For Thesis, Research Papers and more

In this video, I share with you how to get motivated to write your paper or thesis. It is a very important part of writing and the more motivated you can become the more successful your research career and the quicker you will be able to get your PhD. These tips also work for any academic writing!
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▼ ▽ TIMESTAMPS
0:00 - introduction
0:53 - motivation
1:58 - make your results visible
3:30 - momentum matters
5:11 - associate tasteful routine with action
7:21 - affirmations
9:41 - your best changes every day
11:20 - summary

[@mitalinautiyal]

Additional tip: reading is as much important when you want to start writing. Ideas do not flow from nowhere. You will have to read a lot to get the spark.

[@k8ld0k]

Good tip!

[@gauravsingh6355]

Yes agree.

[@benjaminblevins1882]

Except it makes me want to rewrite what I just wrote. Been working on same paragraph for 10 years. 😂

[@arzuugur5686]

​@@benjaminblevins1882you are sooo right

[@angieperezascenciodelmoral3737]

1- make progress results visible 2- write every single day (discipline) 3- create a routine that you associate to writing (like snacks) 4- make affirmations (like: i want to finish my thesis by 2023 😭) 5- recognize that you are human and your best is different everyday

[@ludivineblais8066]

One of the things a wise professor once told me was: " the worse draft that you'll ever write is the one you don't". This simple phrase motivates me to write something every day even if it's complete trash. It makes me feel better that a start is all I need to avoid the worse possible outcome.

[@prapanthebachelorette6803]

This one is so true, thanks 😊

[@Manojkumar926]

😢

[@melodysimms4835]

I’d never thought of this!!! Thank you!!! Edit: not sarcastic either. I got into a habit of using ChatGPT and I could feel my writer-juices being drained. I promised to stop unless for very vague tasks (broad outline, works cited format checks) Anyways. I’ve stayed committed and I feel really good about the papers I’ve been submitting.

[@jazdtildawn]

"I do not let perfection get in the way of progress." I like this one!

[@andresbritez9]

I wrote it down in my journal haha really good one

[@evanrandolph5928]

Writing my masters thesis now and I've been struggling to find the time (working parent with little cooperation at home), and when I do have time my motivation is almost non-existent. What helps me is setting my timer and telling myself "OK, I'm going to hit it hard for 15 minutes straight then take a break". Even if that 15 minutes is just me typing gibberish, it helps get me in the right mindset. Usually after a couple 15 minute sessions and breaks I can stay in the zone and ignore the timer. Until a 3 year old comes tearing through here and blows my concentration and I come to a screeching halt...

[@Frietoe]

How is your thesis going?

[@evanrandolph5928]

@@Frietoe Done! Submitted, defended and accepted by the university. E. Randolph, MEd :-)

[@souheirkhreiss]

Congratulations 😍 Hopefully I'll finish mine on the right time 🙏

[@AMNoily]

thank you!, I'm starting my masters thesis and working mom of two, 6 and 3 yo, my partner cooperates but still it's crazy to be able to concentrate,. But I love the example that is possible to do it!

[@OhEmGeeItsHolliee]

I’m currently writing my biochemistry PhD thesis and hearing the ‘each day your best is different’ was needed!! I felt like I was losing steam and I was starting to stress!

[@lazyscholar7932]

Something that is touched on here is the importance of knowing how you work. If you tend to get overwhelmed and push deadlines back, working every day is probably your best mode of progress. But if you are like me, and work in fits and spurts of 3-5 hours no problem, then I would focus more on using that hour a day to review literature or to help break down your writting task into clear objectives for when you finally do start writting. Either way, I ultimately agree with the idea that staying engaged with your research on a nearly daily basis (with breaks on the weekends) will surely help you write.

[@befitfor30]

Great video. It’s my first time returning to academia after 15 years and was becoming overwhelmed. This really helped

[@tahmidfaisal9147]

It's really a helpful video for the grad students struggling to balance research work and writing habits. Please keep up posting your videos. Thanks!

[@christinaz3573]

Amazing video, as always. Also comes exactly at the right time. You really know how to save the day. Keep up the good work!

[@jessclayton1118]

Honestly, your videos are so helpful. I'm getting through the final stages of my Ph.D. in NZ and I watch your channel when I'm having low moments. SO true that it's a rare day where you feel like writing... just have to do it I guess!

[@lucaribeiro6123]

Best of luck Jess! I am also in Aotearoa trying to get there :)

[@Janamejaya.Channegowda]

I totally agree with you, keep up the great work.

[@saraurio9612]

loved it, mate! Thank you for the tips

[@Nada-ul9sq]

Thanks Andy I writing my masters thesis now and my a supervisor does not help me whish hinders my progress in the thesis, does not respond to my e-mails. This is very frustrating, but the presence of your channel helped me very much. I am grateful.

[@tinithewriter3697]

This was quite helpful, practical, and just what I needed. Thanks ☺️

[@Alhamzah_F_Abbas]

Thank you Andy. By the way most what you mentioned I already working on it, looks like my intuition is proactive in this matter ☺️

[@kathleenoconnor818]

Thank you for this! I'm writing end of the semester papers and prepping presentations. This was helpful! =)

[@mdar3em]

Very motivating and relatable. Many thanks.

[@andresbritez9]

This guy is good! Thanks for everything!

[@aasifapeer9569]

Thoroughly enjoyed the video.. Found it quite helpful..

[@margaretmutumba3181]

I enjoyed this video, Andy. Should out from 🇨🇦 It made me feel better that you don’t enjoy writing either. I better get writing!

[@mmk2411]

I enjoyed your style. Thank you.

[@ravispharmacologyandanatom6365]

Whenever I see you videos I feel like I am talking my friend or colleague on science aspects.... ❤

[@michelledelaharpe8187]

Thanks a lot! Great short video

[@DrAndyStapleton]

A pleasure, Michelle!

[@a.a.dagestani7620]

really amazing, I hope your website can be a platform for finding collaborators , thanks again

[@katekbaulpaule5711]

Bravo, Andy

[@thebookishkhmerican4303]

Cue. Habit. Reward.; Habit stacking; Some of these concepts that are helpful are from James Clear’s book Atomic Habits. The pomodoro method is also extremely helpful

[@Minely182]

I really need motivation to conclude a Review paper. The constant pressure of my advisors has became a nightmare. Some days I am positive and work hard on it, but others no words arrive. Thanks for the advice!

[@vallyndumbe3655]

hope you have concluded already

[@fernandes1431]

Hi Andy, I'm writing my first research paper as a first author and we have sent it to the collaboration for feedback - so many new terminology and all these steps that are still unclear to me before publishing. Anyways could you make a video on how you organise feedback from different scientists and implement it into your paper. Like if you have 10 scientists who want to co author and have feedback do I draw up a table? Because at the moment it's just a lot of information in the emails to handle 🙈 thank you

[@Edddyy_TK]

Thanks Andy

[@missundercover5061]

So good!

[@jojoisthename]

Thanks very much

[@janswanton3631]

Brilliant, as always Andy! I shall certainly try out 'affirmation'! And you are so right about 'best' being variable, unpredictable and quixotic! I don't have any trouble writing! I love writing! As soon as I write, more things to say come into my mind...this has the side effect of the the first Chapter I'm writing already being over twice as long as it should be! So, do I have a tip for getting motivated to write? Probably link it to your 'affirmation'. 'I've got something to say! I've got something to say, so I'm going to say it! I've got something to say, so I'm going to say it, in writing!' See, I'm doing it, now! 😀

[@christinaz3573]

This is actually an amazing idea for an affirmation! Thank you so much for sharing!

[@nataliablair9973]

The tea thing is legit...off to make a cup now.

[@my_master55]

Me after watching this video: 😮 So many cool tips, especially the one about drinking tea during writing, will try it definitely! Thanks, Andy! 🤸‍♂️

[@DrAndyStapleton]

You are welcome! They have all worked well for me and I love trying out new herbal teas.

[@anastasiapopelnukha2333]

thanks for sharing

[@rosahoyy]

Thank you very much for sharing. I'm in the 'less motivated' stage to continue my writing. Maybe because the condition of the cafe where I write is quite noisy, my favorite seat for writing has been taken by the other visitor hahaha, and I see all of the readings on internet looks disgusting. Even though 2 days ago, I was writing really flow.. and ON FIRE, but today.. feel sucks and hard to get inspirations

[@kennethbaptiste]

Thanks a lot.

[@TJ-ix2ov]

Can you talk more about your usage of Asana and how it keeps you organized?

[@AlexanderORiordan]

I'm a fiction writer and these tips seem just as helpful.

[@arash8833]

Thanks!

[@DrAndyStapleton]

Thanks for the super thanks, Arash! Really appreciated.

[@PvPSteve]

Okay but now I'm watching this video to distract myself from writing my thesis...

[@zena3413]

🤣

[@SarJ7Kat]

Hi Andy, do you have any resources for what your writing progress graph looks like in excel? I'm having trouble figuring out which type of graph to use but I think it would be helpful in my process.

[@untitled9693]

I am about to start a PhD programme in March and I love your videos, they have been so helpful!! I have a question however, I am dyslexic and struggle with organisation, processing information as well as being a slow reader. Do you have any tips to go about structuring/organising reading time around writing? When I start the PhD should I devote the first few months to just reading before writing anything (excluding drafts etc)

[@Heyu7her3]

There are many channels on here of PhDs with dyslexia or ADHD that you could get tips from. There's one who's a PhD student in English...I forget the channel name though

[@jonf568]

Even if you have a routine sometimes you can still fall into a slump where all the "tricks" you use doesn't help much :/ Sometimes affirmation can work, but I guess for me I need something inspiration to just be productive. Once that I heard yesterday is, "You can't wait until life isn't hard anymore before you decide to be happy." Somewhat unblocked my writer's block!

[@danielkaplan7105]

Loo

[@chandnikhaund6885]

I feel I can write with pen on a notebook better. This way my ideas gets generated in a free flowing manner. With my laptop, I get overwhelmed with number of words and pages. Of course, I need to fair out everything on my system later though. Double the work, but it works for me

[@alissaiverson3794]

Any other ideas for tracking progress? I like this idea but not sure how to implement. I did start using Trello, but would love to do some sort of graph but I don't think tracking words works for me since I also need to focus on data analysis right now.

[@shinaxia7474]

Affirmation works because you raise your self-esteem, you see more beauty in the world so you make yourself happier and therefore more productive. It's simply a way to raise your endrophins and dopamine. Others might say that you then feed yourself with positive energy. When you say to yourself, "today is such a beautiful day, it makes you want to live," it will be easier to work than when you say: "what a nightmare day, I don't want anything." Affirmations put you in a good mood and a good mood makes it easier to work. I, for example, can't write when I'm depressed or stressed. I always have to be in a good mood to write.

[@molisemichaelsebatana8231]

I love your content so much 🥹🥹🥹 it is constantly improving my PhD journey. You make me feel guided🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾🥹

[@anj1134]

I am in my final.year of writing up. I just cannot gather motivation to.write i just hate the feeling of even.opening my laptop.

[@pavithren]

Tip #1 AKA Progress Principle :)

[@keithvoit6818]

Dr. Stapleton, I found it interesting you were so bemused by affirmations. If you are interested in the science behind it, a book called Psycho-Cybernetics by Maxwell Maltz will give some insight (IMHO). I think your personality and videos are exhilarating!

[@FelixIsLosing]

I didn't choose engineering to be writing so much. I'm writing more than a literature major. :(

[@perseoeridano4182]

👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@classickalmovement]

I only write when i am down try'd it when i feel positive won't work

[@ANUPAM337]

If your fav tip was the last one, read this book the four agreements!

[@manymoms920]

I think there is a link between mint and memory. Pretty sure some science out there.

[@lisahyden4998]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/fGm7gIyAfNCKkKs

[@kathrin9674]

yeah tastefull routine brought me 2 sizes plus...

[@MusicAddictxme]

Has anyone mentioned that the thumbnail to this video made it look like Harry Styles tried to disguise himself with a beard to come and enlighten us under a secret alias?

[@tigrepalenque]

yeah tell me about the chocolate... defo a no-no go to. I ended up with high cholesterol and hypertension crisis by revving myself up on coca cola and chocolate. Not to mention having to shed the extra kilos after

[@bettyspaghetti4803]

I am struggling so much. 70 words at a time is getting me nowhere.

[@fizarahman12]

Can you please share what did you say for your affirmation when you wanna finish up your thesis writing..i need more example pls 😂

[@evansragwa5475]

Who's watching this and has a paper to write?

[@shahbazarianejad]

Additional tip that worked for me a lot: get a good mechanical keyboard that is satisfying to type on. Worked for me mate...

[@shreyadubey3211]

Are you also a Ph.D ?

[@manymoms920]

Hang on Andy haven't you just contradicted yourself with today's post on why you shouldn't use a productivity tool? You said no to kanbam boards. Perhaps the reality is in the middle.

[@reachingforthesun]

😆.. Painful for a PhD! Lol. What kinds of writing are painful: qualitative or quantitative, or mixed? You're a walking encyclopedia.