May 2016-Focus

I have been juggling an awful lot of different tasks recently, I'm aware that this is part of life but it has been particularly challenging recently.  I think this is mainly because all of the tasks are very different in nature, require involvement of different stakeholders, have different measures of success yet are reasonably high stakes and all being done in compressed time scales.  It has been an exercise in focus, discipline and compartmentalising.

All of this is good but I have to learn not to try to fool myself that this won't impact on my PhD progress.  I am very bad at saying no to things, I love working with motivated people on interesting projects, I get a bit giddy and says yes when I really shouldn't.  The last 6 months has been a perfect case in point, it has left me worn out with a nagging feeling that I haven't done a good enough job on any of the projects, a long To do list and a key PhD milestone looming.

I have recently asked an acquaintance if they would act as a professional mentor, this input has really helped me clarify my priorities and it was immensely helpful hearing someone impartial/objective reiterating that I need to focus on my PhD and what would happen if I didn't.

The forthcoming PhD milestone is a 9000 word account of what I've done so far and exactly what else I plan to do, it is the point after which I can no longer change my plans.  It marks 24 months since I enrolled and I think it's the point at which I need to stop saying "My PhD? Well I've only just started really...."  I think the process of pulling this report together will force me to map out the next 12-24 months.  At 48 months I should be writing up; a sobering thought given how fast the last 24 months have gone and how little I feel I have to show for it!

So in an effort to reinforce this message to myself I am writing in down.

Before I say yes to anything I must remember;

1. The PhD is the focus.
2. It is essential for my own credibility.
3. It is essential for career progression.
4. I do actually really enjoy it!
5. It is a personal goal that needs to be achieved.
6. Non-completion is something that I would regret for the rest of my life.