I start most working days with “three easy wins” for my productivity: before I get stuck into the harder stuff and deeper thinking I do three things that help me feel like I’m already making progress.
A walk is often top of my list. I’ll check accounts and spreadsheets to see if I need to do anything. And I’ll sort out newsletters and spam that have arrived overnight.
Nothing strenuous: easy or simple tasks that help clear my head, free up thinking space or help me to move on to tougher work.
What could you do to give yourself three easy wins when you sit down to prepare for your viva? Here are some ideas!
- Remember and write down one success from your PhD research.
- Write “You can do this!” at the top of page 1 of your thesis.
- Google the regulations for vivas at your university.
- Ask a friend to meet you for coffee and talk.
- Find a good page in your thesis and stick a bookmark in.
- Decide on one thing you will do to celebrate your success.
- Note down one question you think you’ll get in the viva.
- Take two minutes to write out a short summary of one result in your thesis.
- Attach sticky notes to the start of each chapter in your thesis.
- Underline what you wrote for suggestion 2!!
There are big tasks that you can do to help you get ready for your viva. There are lots of little things you can do too that will add to how you feel. Start small each time and do things that build you up for your viva.
PS: Number 11 on the list could be “Check out and back 101 Steps To A Great Viva on Kickstarter!“
