The “Get To” Shift
Our daughter, being eight, says something like, “But do I have to…?!” most days. Shortly after that, on being told that yes she does have to, she’ll give a big sigh and say, “Okaaaay…” then go off to do whatever...
Daily viva help for PhDs
Our daughter, being eight, says something like, “But do I have to…?!” most days. Shortly after that, on being told that yes she does have to, she’ll give a big sigh and say, “Okaaaay…” then go off to do whatever...
People like us do things like this. Seth Godin‘s definition of culture is useful to reflect on when unpicking expectations for the viva. How long are they? How do they start? What happens? Regulations tell you some of the details,...
My hero Seth Godin describes anxiety as “failing in advance”. In seminars I would estimate at least a third of candidates I ask describe themselves as nervous, anxious or worried about their chances of viva success – with anxiety being...
No project, period or PhD is super-excellent all the time, or super-terrible for that matter. There’s ups and downs, highs and lows. I can remember some of mine from my PhD days… Highs from my PhD: Realising the fundamental structure of...
Take a sheet of paper, divide it in two. Down the left column write down problems for your viva. Anything you can think of that you’re worried about, or tricky questions, sticky situations, little worries and fears. Anything and everything....
Regular readers of the blog might know I am a huge fan of Seth Godin. I’m re-reading his most recent book, This Is Marketing, and I wanted to share a passage I’ve been thinking about for a while now: Harvard...
A few weeks back I was moaning because I had to wake up at 4am to catch a flight. Grumble, grumble, too early, grumble, grumble, why do I have to do this? Then I remembered Seth Godin’s recent post about...
“People like us do things like this” This phrase runs through my mind at least once per day. It’s Seth Godin‘s definition of culture, and I often bring it up when I tell people about the viva. It’s worth exploring...
One of my heroes, Seth Godin, describes in one of his books why people struggle when they learn to juggle. Wannabe jugglers focus so much on trying to catch balls that they don’t throw them enough. They want the catch...