First two goals of the day done, and now I've just decided to scrap the 365 words I worked so hard to write yesterday! Gah. But the new version will be much better. I hope.

This paper is killing me to write! I don't even know why really, it should be straightforward. I think maybe I'm getting too anxious about it and over-thinking it. Maybe I need to just bash it out and not worry.

gosh you guys are so busy today! I've just been working on a sticky bit of chapter that I couldn't fix yesterday.

Sneaks, did you manage to sort out your data last night?

Batfink, why don't you change the mode of your writing, say, to handwriting it for a bit? I find handwriting stuff really helps to get the words down (because editing on paper is such a nightmare), *then* you'll have something to edit. I find sometimes I do overthink and 'freeze' when I am trying to type because I can edit it so easy. It's too easy to start fiddling with the few words I've written, and not getting on with getting new stuff written :)

Ady - I support your approach, when I used to teach, I marked everything in one blitz!

Actually, that's not a bad idea, pink_numbers, thanks! Not sure why I didn't think of that - I did open a new word doc so I wasn't trying to write onto my notes about the structure of the article (which usually helps but this time doesn't seem to have). I'll give that a go and see if it improves things.

Goals for today: 1. Read and make notes.
2. Prepare some kind of a structure for a short essay.

Batfink, you're more than welcome :) Sometimes, it's hard to think of the best strategy when you are tangled up in the mids of it all. Hope it helps you to write anyway.

I'm still ploughing on with my writing, I am so BORED of writing this chapter. Do other people go through this? Is it accpetable to be bored of something that you're suppose to be so keen on?

OK! Time to set a goal because for a few days I have done nothing!
So, my goal for today is to finish 1 section of my methodology chapter!
CU all later!

Pink_numbers, I get bored of working on the same thing a lot of the time. I was just thinking this morning actually that I am getting sick of this chapter because I've done little else the last couple of weeks. I usually try to have 2 things on the go at once and then I can divide my time between them. It's hard for me when this isn't possible...

I have now redrafted one section and my concentration is starting to slip (I had about 5 hours sleep which doesn't help). But I must plough on and get a second section redrafted.

Pink_numbers i am the same. If i work on one thing for too long I loose the plot. Even things you find interesting can become dull if it's all you do. I try to have more than one thing on the go too or try to switch between reading and making notes and editing work etc.

Emmaki I am also working on methodology chapter today so we are in the same boat. my goal for the afternoon is to reread and edit what i wrote yesterday and continue adding literature to section 1.

Have a good afternoon all!

I just can't focus on redrafting my analysis for any longer. I have done really well with the stuff I've done so far but have slipped into writing crap so I am going to leave it for today. I have an hour before I have to finish so I am going to read a chapter from an inter library loan which is due back on Friday.

Things are finally starting to improve with this paper, thank goodness! I tried switching to handwritten and managed another paragraph, then I got really angry with myself, then I got so frustrated I thought I might cry, then I went and sat in the loos and banged my head against the wall (metaphorically, that is). Now I think I've got past the block by starting from a slightly different place in the literature! Oh dear, ridiculous! It's taken me 2 full days to write 680 words! And now I have a thumping headache and want to go home :-(

thank you sarahlouise and starshape, I'm so glad I am not the only one! I was starting to feel really guilty about it. I think I need to either take a break from this chapter, or get some advice from my sup as to how the chapter is coming along. I have a meeting with them tomorrow, so I will see what they say.

batfink, I'm so sorry to hear that the writing is not going well. If it's any consolation, mine is going very slow as well (688 words today). However, I'm glad that you feel you have got past the block you were having :)

Morning everyone. I have a few hours this morning to write before going onto campus to attend a meeting with my research group (I haven't been for ages so should show my face!). My first goal is to redraft the analysis section which I gave up on yesterday.

Morning everyone!

After getting really stressed out yesterday, I spent the evening with my boyfriend, drinking wine and eating curry and watching stupid nonsense on tv. It was just what I needed - took me away from the work completely. I've done some bitty jobs and replied to some emails this morning, and now I'm ready to tackle the paper again. But this time I'm not going to make myself stare at it all day - I intend to complete one section and if that doesn't take all day (hah!) I'll do something else instead.

I'm glad you had a nice break Batfink. I also spent last night drinking wine and eating curry!

I have now more or less done my first goal, although parts are still sloppy. I'm planning to do a final redraft of the entire thing anyway so I will leave it for now. I'm now going to tackle my introduction section. It is all over the place so I want to get to a stage where I am more sure of what I am going to include etc before I have to leave.

Morning to everybody.....I didn't go far yesterday, I wasn't well and I had to stop. I'm trying again today but I' struggling with low mood....
Have a productive day!