Morning. An early start for me so I can get in a decent chunk of work and be done by lunch.

I am getting so sick of this chapter analysis. My goal for the morning is just to keep plodding through redrafting.

Tusco - my boyfriend's Welsh so by default I support Wales! (He's very grumpy if they lose so it's in my interests to cheer them on!) I only started watching the game because he does, and I only usually watch the international matches or the big Welsh matches. But it's enjoyable - more visually interesting than football, I think.

Star-shaped - that was an early start! Hope you get the work done. I'm looking forward to taking this afternoon off too.

Today, I'm going to have a final read-through of the schedule for Monday's interview, and then work on the two sections of my questionnaire that are still under-developed.

I am so exhausted today :( I'm wondering whether I should carry on with my work today or take the day off and rest. My body wants to rest, but my schedule is so tight as it is, it seems like a lot of risk to take a day off just because I'm tired. (I also feel like a wimp!!)

If you're wondering that you probably do need the break! Someone on another thread put it really well the other day - 'it's when you feel like you don't have time to take a break that you most need one' or words to that effect. I have to say I'm really coming around to that way of thinking. There's really no point just sitting at your desk not thninking properly when you could be off somewhere else recharging your batteries so that the next time you sit down your mind is sharper.

Ditto for me Pink :-( - I have been at the desk since 08.30 but have only done one tiny thing in my thesis, changed the layout of one 6 line table! I have replied to some of the threads here, gone to the shop, put on two loads of washing, read the magazines of the Saturday papers, talked to the dog :$, basically pretty much anything except PhD work. Maybe do something, however small and then call it a day.

How about working for half a day? then you can relax this afternoon and feel good about making a bit of progress.

I have now redrafted 2 analysis sections and am starting to want to quit to go and watch Eastenders. I'm going to plod on and get one more section done. This will mean that over half of the document will be done (I'm glad to be at the penultimate draft stage so only a few small changes after that!).

Oh yes, I totally agree with this. If you really don't feel up to it take a break. Think of it as making a more efficient use of your time.

Gah, I was making good progress but it's now ground to a halt. I'd left writing one section of my questionnaire to the end because I wasn't sure I'd have room for it, but it's my main supervisor's specialist area and he really wants me to include it. So now I've sat down to think about it and it's way more complicated than I'd anticipated. May need to ask supervisor for detailed advice :$ Oh well, that's why he's my supervisor I suppose!!

thank you for your advice as ever :) I laid down for an hour, then picked myself up again. Going to spend couple of hours finishing the bedroom (so nearly nearly done), then spend a few hours this afternoon and evening writing. I think it was getting a bit much having the redecoration of the bedroom running at the same time as rushing to write my thesis, but at least the bedroom is now nearly done!

That sounds like a good plan, Pink_Numbers! But remember to relax as well at some point...

We're having a pizza and film night tonight at my boyfriend's place, just a couple of people coming over to watch films with us on his big screen (he has a projector, it's cool). But he's been moaning about having a cold, and says he hasn't managed to clean or tidy the flat, so now I'm going to go over and help him clean. And take my laptop in case there's a bit of time for me to do some more work. But I'll probably just take the rest of today off!

Good luck with the work everyone!

Batfink we do the projector thing too! In fact yesterday, a ceiling mount thing with an adjustable pole thingy arrived - I think he's starting to take it just a bit too seriously now!

I've been trying to work since about 2pm but so far have only managed to read one paper so I want to have a super-productive next hour!

Goal 1 - read the next paper

I hope I'm not on my own working on a sunday!

I've written 1000 words this afternoon, which feels great after a week of slump, decorating and trying to deal with a 'friend' that doesn't understand it's just not okay to be ringing someone trying to write up a thesis four, five times a day (how do you deal with that??)

I'm going to pop out for a spot of shopping, then back to writing. I would like to write 1000 more words today.

I'm having a similar day Pink Numbers, only written about 200 words though, but need to get more done before hubby comes home. I'm finding it VERY hard writing up - just getting on with it is such a struggle! and finding time to fit it in around job applications, RA work and hubby's thesis is a nightmare.

I need to finish a section of my lit review for tomorrow, otherwise sup won't read it till after half term...

Is s/he calling you on your mobile? If so, just don't pick up when their number comes up. If it's a landline it's bit more complicated. I have a 'friend' like that and I know that even if I say to her that I'm busy, she would just go on and on for about an hour. So now I just don't pick up when she calls, and then call her up in the evening saying that I was working and didn't see she called and try to hang up in 10mins.

I honestly don't know how people get thesis written with jobs, kids, etc, so I admire every one of you! I've had to be really selfish in order to write up, no job, no kids, not many friends. I just can't write if I have other things to deal with. Thankfully, most people understand this, but I just have one that keeps demanding my time. I'm struggling to figure out how to deal with this without offending the person. You know the situation, where the person isn't trying to make your life difficult but they do make it difficult for you.

Are we selfish to be wanting to write a thesis? Does anyone ever ask themselve this?