I’ve worked on outlining my methodological framework for analysis, as well as preparing transcripts. Yesterday I sent my sketch of it to my supervisors. One achievement in week 111 was not just completing this, but also building a habit to write my thesis every day. Since I felt bad about having had an unproductive time last week, I read a few articles and books on scientific ways of being productive and more consistent in writing. I then decided to try one method.
Building habits to write
My focus is to write my thesis on a daily basis, even on my teaching days and holidays, aiming to submit it in December.
I decided to try “to create a micro-commitment where it’s impossible to fail” (from the website, How to Form a New Habit) and award myself a small win if I have written even one or two sentences in a day. So I visualise it – I write a checkbox in each day of a calendar and log it.
The key is habit-building; to take action and get small wins. Actually, even if I had intended only to write one sentence in a chapter draft, once I start, the concentration is likely to last for a few hours (Mel Robbins’ The 5 Second Rule!). I’ve done it for all seven days this week.

My achievements in Week 111
- Revised my methodological framework and shared it with my supervisors.
- Worked on a transcript of one case.
- Started a gluten-free diet and have lost 1kg so far!
Goals for Week 112
- Maintain the writing routine and the gluten-free diet.
- Make a full transcript of one case.
- It’s observation week: my class will be observed and I’m going to observe my colleague’s class. I’d like to be modest, to learn and give feedback.