Hi All,
Just wondering if anyone has any helpful tips on writing up?
I've been officially out of the lab and writing since June. I've two papers published (Two chapter completed) but now I'm struggling. Does anyone have any tips on how to stay focused and motivated? How do you write that dreaded chapter (One chapter I’ve started on five different occasions but can't get passed the methods)?
I am writing my thesis in paper format, it going to have 6 working chapters, alongside introduction and discussion. Two chapters are done, two are submitted to my main supervisor awaiting feedback, but the last two I just can't be bothered with.

Any tips, tricks or ideas to stay motivated would be greatly appreciated!

Nead

I think I would just think about it being finished - visualize it over and done with. That would inspire me to go for it. Other than that I'd do all the usual tricks - breaks, rewards, bize-sized chunks etc.

I am not sure there are any really good tricks or tips that anyone can offer to be honest. Some people believe things like picturing yourself with the certificate or roaring "I am a tiger grrrr" into a mirror will help but I think that causes people to panic and lose hope more often that not and I reckon in all cases they become ineffective eventually anyway because they deal with symptoms and not the root causes of lack of motivation. That tiger one just scared my neighbours.

Motivation has to come from inside you. Once you have it you need to break the remaining tasks down into manageable chunks of work which you can tick off and that might stop the motivation leaving you but you need to be motivated yourself first.

This is a crevice we all have to span though so don't feel it's just you who is struggling.
Find someone to make you laugh and share some gallows humour.

The best way forward is as mentioned above which is to two the last 2 working chapters into smaller sections and target those sections first. Once you start getting done with the initial sections, you will eventually get motivated to move ahead and make progress with the remainder of the papers. Here’s wishing you all the motivation to complete your paper and get successfully published.

Hi to everyone! Guys, i had the same question as the author of this thread and i have to say that i have found your tips here really helpful for me as well. Thank you!