One way to build momentum is to plan for the immediate future. What this means, exactly, is that you sometimes can get really jazzed up to complete a project when you know, exactly, how it will positively impact you. The challenge in a process like the dissertation- which is long, sometimes overly drawn out, and where the endpoint isn’t always certain- the challenge is to find a way to grasp what working steadily will mean to you for the future. Continually remind yourself WHY you’re working this hard. Remind yourself WHAT having the Ph.D. will do for you. Remind yourself HOW far you’ve come. You might even jot down powerful phrases for each of these three concepts and place them within your work space. This can keep you oriented and focused. Knowing what you’re working towards can be a huge boost to your personal momentum. If you’re feeling fuzzy, stuck, or unclear about why you’re doing this- take a few minutes, right now, to jot down your WHO, WHAT, and HOW.
