I stopped using tomato timer for the reason others have mentioned. I moved to 'timertab' (search google) where you can set a count down timer for however long you wish to work for. I tend to do an hour, then if I feel like continuing, setting it for another hour. This works well for me :)

In terms of keeping motivated, I have deadlines for each chapter and for editing time once the chapters are complete. I break this down into monthly, then weekly, then daily goals. I write in a notebook everything I have done each day in bullet point format to keep me motivated as it shows me that I have actually made progress!

Same here, although my blocks are probably shorter. I allow myself 3 breaks per day. Lunch is the main break (30-60 mins, usually 30-45) and halfway through morning and afternoon a 15-20 mins break.

Noteworthy: I only check email and some web surfing during the breaks..... If I experience problems with concentration outside the breaks I go for a walk down the corridor or a visit at the shop outside but I try not to procrastinate on my computer

And I also do Zutterfly's method --> I set myself weekly goals and write down my progress daily.

Thank you for the 'countdown timer' tip Zutterfly - trying it out today and so far, the 'counting down' approach is working better for me than the 'counting up' one! I'm trying out setting a countdown for the time I want to work during the day, and stopping the timer each time I'm having a break, so I can see how much working time is left to do.

Hi, how is everyone doing? I'm having a slow week this week unfortunately, but I'm really hoping the rest of the week will be more productive!

I'm having a couple of birthday-related days off, Hugh, but hoping to be productive on Thursday and Friday! Speaking of time off, what are folk doing over the summer - taking hols or not? I'm planning a week off, but for some reason feeling guilty about telling my supervisor - not that she'll say anything about it, I think it's just me who thinks I shouldn't be taking time off at this stage!

Definitely take time off Chickpea! It's important to take regular holidays, and after your break you'll probably come back refreshed! :)

I normally take 2 weeks off in the summer but I think this summer I'm going to take only 1 week off. I'm really hoping to get the first draft done by September so really need to make a move on and crack on :)

Hi Hugh and Chickpea,

I managed to get down to the very last section of my conclusion which NEEDS to be very brief as my word count is getting ridiculous now :/

I put the PhD to one side on Tuesday and I am now proof reading/editing an article that received major amendments a while ago, proof reading a conference paper that I am presenting in July, and finalising a presentation I am giving abroad next week. I am actually finding it quite relaxing as I know that when I am done, lots of loose ends will be tied leaving me with just my thesis to focus on.

I usually take 10 days off in the summer, but I have not scheduled any time off this summer as I feel as though I am strapped for time with the thesis draft deadline. I may take a long weekend though at some point once the conferences are over with :)

Oooh does this mean your 1st draft is almost ready? Exciting times! :)

Yes and no... Whenever anyone says this to me or 'Oh, so you're nearly finished?' I have a montage playing in my head of all of the editing I have to do! Three of my chapters need quite a lot of work which I have made a spreadsheet of amendments to work through- one of them is half written, the others need updating, sections cutting, more relevant stuff adding etc. my appendices need some editing, and finally I need to actually write my reference list as I haven't done it yet :/

I am flying out to an international conference this evening, and plan to work on my conclusion while there so I can jump straight into editing upon my return. I feel as though I just need to keep my momentum and not think in too much detail about everything that there is left to do otherwise I will feel overwhelmed and just take a nap instead haha

How are you doing?

I know it may feel like to you that you have lots to do (and there are lots of separate things), but my guess is time wise it wont take you that long at all :)

I've almost got my 1st draft of the literature review ready, and its 20,000 words! :-( The good thing it is in 2 separate chapters, but I had only allocated 12,000 words to it. Not sure what to do now ... might just wait to see what supervisors say?

Sounds like a plan to get some input from your supervisors, Hugh. I'm guessing if it fits within the overall word count and is all relevant then it won't be much of an issue - it's hard to know in advance how many words/how much time each of these chapters will take. I allocated 15,000 words to my current chapter and it is going to be lucky to stay below 20,000.

Hi Hugh, I agree with Chickpea here, see what your supervisors say :)

My LR is two chapters and totals around 23k but I am hoping to get it down to 20k. My supervisor did not have an issue with it but they have been making comments on my findings chapters about cutting down the word count and noting the odd area of repetition.

I arrived home from the conference late last night. I did not work on my conclusion whilst away as initially planned as it has been such a busy week, but I did do some proof reading of a paper for an upcoming conference taking place abroad in a few weeks. I was going to take today off to recuperate from the conference, but I just have so much to do that I feel calmer actually working than not!

Thanks Zutterfly!

As I am writing up the literature review, I'm realizing that the discussion section in my chapters has text that can be removed and just referenced to the lit review, instead of repeating them.

I'm nearly finished with the lit review. Another 3 more shorter chapters to go!

Ah that is good news! I am hoping I have a similar experience as I need to cut words from somewhere. Well done and keep at it :)

I have still not touched my thesis since before I went away; upon my return I have been spending a lot of time completing job applications and trying to finish a paper for another conference. I still feel so tired from the traveling too. I hope I feel more awake tomorrow, but I think part of it is the thought of not even having time for my thesis at the moment in that, it is making me feel a bit gloomy!

How long do you have left Zutterfly? You seem way ahead of us all. I suppose I'm trying to get you to reflect on whether your worries are justified? ;)

Also give yourself a break to recover from travels. I find after a break it takes much longer to get back into it.