Slow Progress

Progress in a PhD takes time and comes slowly.

Every sudden breakthrough moment has a long sequence of moments (and hours and days) before it that lead to the breakthrough.

It can be hard in a PhD to find confidence in your work or in your self because of the slow progress. You either don’t notice it creep up or, more likely, notice things like long hours, hard work, false starts and being busy.

Take time to notice what matters. Regularly reflect and review to notice the difference in your work, your progress and yourself. At the end of a day just take a moment to reflect, “What have I accomplished?” Each week ask, “What have I achieved?” Each month consider, “How am I getting better?”

Find confidence by looking for it.

Find confidence by noticing the progress as it happens.