Comments on: How to complete your PhD (or any large project): Hard and soft deadlines, and the Martini Method http://www.academicproductivity.com/2008/how-to-complete-your-phd-or-any-large-project-hard-and-soft-deadlines-and-the-martini-method/ A survival guide for the 21st century researcher Thu, 21 Aug 2008 14:26:08 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6 By: Si http://www.academicproductivity.com/2008/how-to-complete-your-phd-or-any-large-project-hard-and-soft-deadlines-and-the-martini-method/#comment-30830 Si Wed, 09 Jul 2008 22:50:18 +0000 http://www.academicproductivity.com/blog/2008/how-to-complete-your-phd-or-any-large-project-hard-and-soft-deadlines-and-the-martini-method/#comment-30830 Hard deadlines are fair provided the university department interviews the phd candidate properly before he starts the course, and then supports him through a well defined programme (at least well defined after the first year) with supervisors possessing relevant publication experience. Otherwise I see hard deadlines as a method of bullying students who have got into terrible predicaments through no fault of their own out of the system , when the real reason for late submission is due to inept, even fraudulent supervision, so that a disgracefully run department can keep its nose clean. I will never meet my 'last ever deadline' of end of this september, without finishing. As far as i am concerned my university has violated its academic duty of care on every level towards me through negligent, inappropriate supervision, causing my phd only to properly start after the first three years, well into extension time. Of course some people like to absolve supervisors as just being observers of the project but that doesn't wash with me. I would haev got a suspension years ago, if it wasn't for the fact my supervisor played me. I feel lied to, neglected, and i am very very angry. My solicitor will be giving them a strongly worded letter very soon. Hard deadlines are fair provided the university department interviews the phd candidate properly before he starts the course, and then supports him through a well defined programme (at least well defined after the first year) with supervisors possessing relevant publication experience.

Otherwise I see hard deadlines as a method of bullying students who have got into terrible predicaments through no fault of their own out of the system , when the real reason for late submission is due to inept, even fraudulent supervision, so that a disgracefully run department can keep its nose clean.

I will never meet my ‘last ever deadline’ of end of this september, without finishing. As far as i am concerned my university has violated its academic duty of care on every level towards me through negligent, inappropriate supervision, causing my phd only to properly start after the first three years, well into extension time.

Of course some people like to absolve supervisors as just being observers of the project but that doesn’t wash with me. I would haev got a suspension years ago, if it wasn’t for the fact my supervisor played me. I feel lied to, neglected, and i am very very angry. My solicitor will be giving them a strongly worded letter very soon.

]]> By: shane http://www.academicproductivity.com/2008/how-to-complete-your-phd-or-any-large-project-hard-and-soft-deadlines-and-the-martini-method/#comment-25794 shane Tue, 13 May 2008 22:49:07 +0000 http://www.academicproductivity.com/blog/2008/how-to-complete-your-phd-or-any-large-project-hard-and-soft-deadlines-and-the-martini-method/#comment-25794 In the UK, it is common for PhDs to be done in 3 years, for all disciplines. We don't take courses - the Phd is just one long pure research project. In the UK, it is common for PhDs to be done in 3 years, for all disciplines. We don’t take courses - the Phd is just one long pure research project.

]]> By: kristin http://www.academicproductivity.com/2008/how-to-complete-your-phd-or-any-large-project-hard-and-soft-deadlines-and-the-martini-method/#comment-25778 kristin Tue, 13 May 2008 19:27:40 +0000 http://www.academicproductivity.com/blog/2008/how-to-complete-your-phd-or-any-large-project-hard-and-soft-deadlines-and-the-martini-method/#comment-25778 Your institution required you to complete the PhD in four years!? What is your discipline? Students in most disciplines would be incredibly lucky to be done in a timely four years. Your institution required you to complete the PhD in four years!? What is your discipline? Students in most disciplines would be incredibly lucky to be done in a timely four years.

]]> By: Dan http://www.academicproductivity.com/2008/how-to-complete-your-phd-or-any-large-project-hard-and-soft-deadlines-and-the-martini-method/#comment-25218 Dan Thu, 08 May 2008 16:01:43 +0000 http://www.academicproductivity.com/blog/2008/how-to-complete-your-phd-or-any-large-project-hard-and-soft-deadlines-and-the-martini-method/#comment-25218 For managing your goals you might try out this new web-based application: Gtdagenda You can use it to manage your goals, projects and tasks, set next actions and contexts, use checklists, schedules and a calendar. A mobile version is available too. As with the last update, now Gtdagenda has due date for tasks (you'll see in the calendar on the right if you have tasks due today), task notes, and Email & Print support. Hope you like it. For managing your goals you might try out this new web-based application:

Gtdagenda

You can use it to manage your goals, projects and tasks, set next actions and contexts, use
checklists, schedules and a calendar.
A mobile version is available too.

As with the last update, now Gtdagenda has due date for tasks (you’ll see in the calendar on the right if you have tasks due today), task notes, and Email & Print support.

Hope you like it.

]]> By: data dump » Blog Archive » Methods for getting through large projects http://www.academicproductivity.com/2008/how-to-complete-your-phd-or-any-large-project-hard-and-soft-deadlines-and-the-martini-method/#comment-23325 data dump » Blog Archive » Methods for getting through large projects Fri, 11 Apr 2008 17:26:51 +0000 http://www.academicproductivity.com/blog/2008/how-to-complete-your-phd-or-any-large-project-hard-and-soft-deadlines-and-the-martini-method/#comment-23325 [...] The Martini Method [...] [...] The Martini Method [...]

]]> By: 行中水 » Blog Archive » (ZZ)How to complete your PhD http://www.academicproductivity.com/2008/how-to-complete-your-phd-or-any-large-project-hard-and-soft-deadlines-and-the-martini-method/#comment-22717 行中水 » Blog Archive » (ZZ)How to complete your PhD Thu, 03 Apr 2008 17:41:00 +0000 http://www.academicproductivity.com/blog/2008/how-to-complete-your-phd-or-any-large-project-hard-and-soft-deadlines-and-the-martini-method/#comment-22717 [...] Lindsay writes about how to complete your PhD (or any large project) which is to use hard deadlines (externally [...] [...] Lindsay writes about how to complete your PhD (or any large project) which is to use hard deadlines (externally [...]

]]> By: Effective Collaboration http://www.academicproductivity.com/2008/how-to-complete-your-phd-or-any-large-project-hard-and-soft-deadlines-and-the-martini-method/#comment-22661 Effective Collaboration Thu, 03 Apr 2008 04:06:54 +0000 http://www.academicproductivity.com/blog/2008/how-to-complete-your-phd-or-any-large-project-hard-and-soft-deadlines-and-the-martini-method/#comment-22661 <strong>Enterprise Collaboration and Virtual Teams Report (April 3, 2008)...</strong> The People Part of Enterprise Collaboration and Virtual Teams John has been reading a new book for lawyers on Collaboration Tools and Technologies. The point he really likes: "The book is a goldmine of concrete suggestions - many of which... Enterprise Collaboration and Virtual Teams Report (April 3, 2008)…

The People Part of Enterprise Collaboration and Virtual Teams John has been reading a new book for lawyers on Collaboration Tools and Technologies. The point he really likes: “The book is a goldmine of concrete suggestions - many of which…

]]> By: treasures of random link clicking. http://www.academicproductivity.com/2008/how-to-complete-your-phd-or-any-large-project-hard-and-soft-deadlines-and-the-martini-method/#comment-22058 treasures of random link clicking. Mon, 24 Mar 2008 04:49:25 +0000 http://www.academicproductivity.com/blog/2008/how-to-complete-your-phd-or-any-large-project-hard-and-soft-deadlines-and-the-martini-method/#comment-22058 [...] The Martini Method for finishing a PhD - Ha! No really, this blog–academicproductivity.com–looks like it might actually be good. Because the key to academic productivity is another blog to read… but no really! Look! The Interruptron is going on my computer tomorrow because since I’ve stopped tracking all of my time by the minute in a spreadsheet (and outputting pretty pivot charts to show how much time I spent brushing my teeth versus folding clothing), I haven’t been as good at maintaining a work/rest schedule and productivity has slipped a little. The Interruptron makes graphs. I love it already. [...] [...] The Martini Method for finishing a PhD - Ha! No really, this blog–academicproductivity.com–looks like it might actually be good. Because the key to academic productivity is another blog to read… but no really! Look! The Interruptron is going on my computer tomorrow because since I’ve stopped tracking all of my time by the minute in a spreadsheet (and outputting pretty pivot charts to show how much time I spent brushing my teeth versus folding clothing), I haven’t been as good at maintaining a work/rest schedule and productivity has slipped a little. The Interruptron makes graphs. I love it already. [...]

]]> By: Qrystal http://www.academicproductivity.com/2008/how-to-complete-your-phd-or-any-large-project-hard-and-soft-deadlines-and-the-martini-method/#comment-21294 Qrystal Tue, 11 Mar 2008 13:27:28 +0000 http://www.academicproductivity.com/blog/2008/how-to-complete-your-phd-or-any-large-project-hard-and-soft-deadlines-and-the-martini-method/#comment-21294 "If you spend a few days without working on your PhD, anxiety or guilt can build up, which consequently make it even harder to get started, and days can easily turn into weeks without meaningful work being undertaken." Indeed. Getting "restarted" really is one of the hardest parts, and I've been stuck so many times just because of this. I am still working on overcoming that static friction, because I *know* that kinetic friction is always less than static friction, and I just have to get going in order to feel the difference. Another thing that seems to help, for me, is to get enough sleep. Easier said than done, right? Well, I've been starting to "meditate myself to sleep". I used to lie awake thinking, worrying, planning, trying to motivate myself for the next day... and it would take hours to fall asleep. Now I focus on breathing, on relaxing my body, on clearing my mind, ... and soon enough, blissful sleep takes over, and the next day, I can start easier. “If you spend a few days without working on your PhD, anxiety or guilt can build up, which consequently make it even harder to get started, and days can easily turn into weeks without meaningful work being undertaken.”

Indeed. Getting “restarted” really is one of the hardest parts, and I’ve been stuck so many times just because of this. I am still working on overcoming that static friction, because I *know* that kinetic friction is always less than static friction, and I just have to get going in order to feel the difference.

Another thing that seems to help, for me, is to get enough sleep. Easier said than done, right? Well, I’ve been starting to “meditate myself to sleep”. I used to lie awake thinking, worrying, planning, trying to motivate myself for the next day… and it would take hours to fall asleep. Now I focus on breathing, on relaxing my body, on clearing my mind, … and soon enough, blissful sleep takes over, and the next day, I can start easier.

]]> By: Onaje http://www.academicproductivity.com/2008/how-to-complete-your-phd-or-any-large-project-hard-and-soft-deadlines-and-the-martini-method/#comment-21102 Onaje Sun, 09 Mar 2008 01:24:08 +0000 http://www.academicproductivity.com/blog/2008/how-to-complete-your-phd-or-any-large-project-hard-and-soft-deadlines-and-the-martini-method/#comment-21102 There is the lock yourself in the house method. Goto the store, stock up on food for two weeks and then don't go anywhere. Do not go out with friends, do not answer the phone, eliminate all distractions. Your only mission in life is to write for two weeks. There is the lock yourself in the house method. Goto the store, stock up on food for two weeks and then don’t go anywhere. Do not go out with friends, do not answer the phone, eliminate all distractions. Your only mission in life is to write for two weeks.

]]> By: David in Stockholm » Blog Archiv » Praktikumsbericht und Procrastination http://www.academicproductivity.com/2008/how-to-complete-your-phd-or-any-large-project-hard-and-soft-deadlines-and-the-martini-method/#comment-19676 David in Stockholm » Blog Archiv » Praktikumsbericht und Procrastination Tue, 19 Feb 2008 11:17:14 +0000 http://www.academicproductivity.com/blog/2008/how-to-complete-your-phd-or-any-large-project-hard-and-soft-deadlines-and-the-martini-method/#comment-19676 [...] Praktikumsbericht, aber vorher will ich als Vorbereitung nur noch diese beiden Artikel lesen: Academic Productivity: How to complete your PhD (or any large project) Study Hacks: How to Schedule Your Writing Like a Professional [...] [...] Praktikumsbericht, aber vorher will ich als Vorbereitung nur noch diese beiden Artikel lesen: Academic Productivity: How to complete your PhD (or any large project) Study Hacks: How to Schedule Your Writing Like a Professional [...]

]]> By: Carnival of GRADual Progress, 16th edition « lines ever more unclear http://www.academicproductivity.com/2008/how-to-complete-your-phd-or-any-large-project-hard-and-soft-deadlines-and-the-martini-method/#comment-19545 Carnival of GRADual Progress, 16th edition « lines ever more unclear Sun, 17 Feb 2008 18:29:53 +0000 http://www.academicproductivity.com/blog/2008/how-to-complete-your-phd-or-any-large-project-hard-and-soft-deadlines-and-the-martini-method/#comment-19545 [...] to keep up a regular work schedule has been a concern for many this past month.  In early January, the Martini Method approach to productivity popped up over at Academic Productivity.  Geeka’s modified the Martini [...] [...] to keep up a regular work schedule has been a concern for many this past month.  In early January, the Martini Method approach to productivity popped up over at Academic Productivity.  Geeka’s modified the Martini [...]

]]> By: episcopophagous | del.icio.us links for 2008.02.04 to 2008.02.08 http://www.academicproductivity.com/2008/how-to-complete-your-phd-or-any-large-project-hard-and-soft-deadlines-and-the-martini-method/#comment-18627 episcopophagous | del.icio.us links for 2008.02.04 to 2008.02.08 Fri, 08 Feb 2008 15:36:26 +0000 http://www.academicproductivity.com/blog/2008/how-to-complete-your-phd-or-any-large-project-hard-and-soft-deadlines-and-the-martini-method/#comment-18627 [...] How to complete your PhD (or any large project): Hard and soft deadlines, and the Martini Method | A... [...] [...] How to complete your PhD (or any large project): Hard and soft deadlines, and the Martini Method | A… [...]

]]> By: idiot savant http://www.academicproductivity.com/2008/how-to-complete-your-phd-or-any-large-project-hard-and-soft-deadlines-and-the-martini-method/#comment-18236 idiot savant Tue, 05 Feb 2008 15:13:37 +0000 http://www.academicproductivity.com/blog/2008/how-to-complete-your-phd-or-any-large-project-hard-and-soft-deadlines-and-the-martini-method/#comment-18236 nice post, but wayyy too long. i appreciate your essay style and effort, but this is a blog post! for bloggers talking productivity this is antithetical! nice post, but wayyy too long. i appreciate your essay style and effort, but this is a blog post! for bloggers talking productivity this is antithetical!

]]> By: The Martini Method or Rewarding Task Completion ~ Jake Ludington’s Digital Lifestyle http://www.academicproductivity.com/2008/how-to-complete-your-phd-or-any-large-project-hard-and-soft-deadlines-and-the-martini-method/#comment-17708 The Martini Method or Rewarding Task Completion ~ Jake Ludington’s Digital Lifestyle Thu, 31 Jan 2008 18:08:15 +0000 http://www.academicproductivity.com/blog/2008/how-to-complete-your-phd-or-any-large-project-hard-and-soft-deadlines-and-the-martini-method/#comment-17708 [...] love. Shane over at Academic Productivity talks about the Martini Method in more detail, along with several other ways to tackle large projects. He frames it in the context of completing your PhD, but you could easily apply the process to any [...] [...] love. Shane over at Academic Productivity talks about the Martini Method in more detail, along with several other ways to tackle large projects. He frames it in the context of completing your PhD, but you could easily apply the process to any [...]

]]> By: Scott H Young » Friday Links 08-01-25 http://www.academicproductivity.com/2008/how-to-complete-your-phd-or-any-large-project-hard-and-soft-deadlines-and-the-martini-method/#comment-17403 Scott H Young » Friday Links 08-01-25 Fri, 25 Jan 2008 19:53:49 +0000 http://www.academicproductivity.com/blog/2008/how-to-complete-your-phd-or-any-large-project-hard-and-soft-deadlines-and-the-martini-method/#comment-17403 [...] The Martini Method for Productivity - A great review of the difference between hard and soft deadlines. Plus a famous author’s method for being productive. [...] [...] The Martini Method for Productivity - A great review of the difference between hard and soft deadlines. Plus a famous author’s method for being productive. [...]

]]> By: lightkeeper54.com » Blog Archive » How to complete your PhD http://www.academicproductivity.com/2008/how-to-complete-your-phd-or-any-large-project-hard-and-soft-deadlines-and-the-martini-method/#comment-17130 lightkeeper54.com » Blog Archive » How to complete your PhD Sat, 19 Jan 2008 17:19:30 +0000 http://www.academicproductivity.com/blog/2008/how-to-complete-your-phd-or-any-large-project-hard-and-soft-deadlines-and-the-martini-method/#comment-17130 [...] Academic Productivity » How to complete your PhD (or any large project): Hard and soft deadlines, a... Having recently completed a PhD, Shane shares three indispensable nuggets of advice for how to get the monster vanquished: use hard deadlines, soft deadlines, and the Martini Method. With a small amount of imagination these can be applied to any large project.   [link] [...] [...] Academic Productivity » How to complete your PhD (or any large project): Hard and soft deadlines, a… Having recently completed a PhD, Shane shares three indispensable nuggets of advice for how to get the monster vanquished: use hard deadlines, soft deadlines, and the Martini Method. With a small amount of imagination these can be applied to any large project.   [link] [...]

]]> By: Study Hacks » Blog Archive » Weekend Links: Martini Your Way Through Your Dissertation, Don't Sweat Your Inbox, and Turn Off the Internet http://www.academicproductivity.com/2008/how-to-complete-your-phd-or-any-large-project-hard-and-soft-deadlines-and-the-martini-method/#comment-17127 Study Hacks » Blog Archive » Weekend Links: Martini Your Way Through Your Dissertation, Don't Sweat Your Inbox, and Turn Off the Internet Sat, 19 Jan 2008 16:45:40 +0000 http://www.academicproductivity.com/blog/2008/how-to-complete-your-phd-or-any-large-project-hard-and-soft-deadlines-and-the-martini-method/#comment-17127 [...] How to Complete your PhD (or any large project): Hard and Soft Deadlines, the Martini Method | Acade... Shane over at Academic Productivity describes the system he used to finish his PhD. If it worked for his dissertation, imagine what it would do for your next term paper? [...] [...] How to Complete your PhD (or any large project): Hard and Soft Deadlines, the Martini Method | Acade… Shane over at Academic Productivity describes the system he used to finish his PhD. If it worked for his dissertation, imagine what it would do for your next term paper? [...]

]]> By: Wayne State Web Communications Blog » Blog Archive » [Friday Links] The Busy Week Edition http://www.academicproductivity.com/2008/how-to-complete-your-phd-or-any-large-project-hard-and-soft-deadlines-and-the-martini-method/#comment-17049 Wayne State Web Communications Blog » Blog Archive » [Friday Links] The Busy Week Edition Fri, 18 Jan 2008 13:35:13 +0000 http://www.academicproductivity.com/blog/2008/how-to-complete-your-phd-or-any-large-project-hard-and-soft-deadlines-and-the-martini-method/#comment-17049 [...] Hard and soft deadlines, and the Martini Method [...] [...] Hard and soft deadlines, and the Martini Method [...]

]]> By: Amund Tveit http://www.academicproductivity.com/2008/how-to-complete-your-phd-or-any-large-project-hard-and-soft-deadlines-and-the-martini-method/#comment-17022 Amund Tveit Thu, 17 Jan 2008 22:24:41 +0000 http://www.academicproductivity.com/blog/2008/how-to-complete-your-phd-or-any-large-project-hard-and-soft-deadlines-and-the-martini-method/#comment-17022 My comments: http://amundblog.blogspot.com/2008/01/how-to-complete-your-phd.html My comments:
http://amundblog.blogspot.com/2008/01/how-to-complete-your-phd.html

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