Introduction – The Need to Focus When Writing
Writing a dissertation is hard! I don’t mean the research part where you track down and summarize resources. I’m talking about the actual writing part, which requires synthesis, coherent argumentation and the output of quality content (heck, I’d even settle for any content on most days…)
Focus is the key…
One of the biggest problems to quality output is a lack of focus. It is soooooo easy to do anything but put one letter in front of the other and turn them into sentences and into paragraphs. Whether it’s e-mails, hunting down additional resources on the Net, fixing a software issue to make writing easier, you name it, all of these things can keep us from our real goals of creating good drafts of sections or chapters in our dissertation.
4 tips to keep your focus on writing
Recently, I started using the following focus ideas to jump-start my writing output. I wanted to share them with you in hopes that you might be able to avoid that time drift during your writing sessions (of course, if you are a disciplined person, then just keep doing what you are doing!)
#1 – Batch your e-mail
Check your e-mail twice a day only, at 12:00 PM, right after lunch, and at 4:00 PM. This may seem quite difficult to do especially if you are connected all day and your computer beeps every time you get an e-mail. (If this is too much to ask of you, add a 7:30 AM e-mail check, but nothing more.)
You would be surprised how much you can get done when you have 3-4 straight hours of free, uninterrupted time. (Those unannounced e-mails can be monumental time killers. What’s more, they interrupt the flow of your thinking.) If something is an emergency, people will use the phone. Let’s face it, we’re not that important, and being unplugged is probably something we all need a little more of…
#2 – Turn off your wireless connection
This would take care of your e-mail problem as well, but it is a separate issue. Having your wireless on just gives you permission to start tracking something down on the Internet that you feel you need at the moment.
Again, nothing is that critical. Just make a note in your text (make it a different color if need be) that lets you know what book, author, idea or content is so important. Gather those up at the end of the day and track them down all at once. The goal is to keep thinking and writing.
#3 – Give yourself permission to just write
It has been said that the best writing is simply rewriting. There is a lot of truth to that. If you start with a good outline, sometimes your best bet for cranking out some good content is to write ideas freely without care for grammar, punctuation, choosing the right word or organizing every last thought.
It doesn’t have to be perfect the first or second time out. What is important is that you begin to sort out the main ideas and to make the connections between sections. In addition, when you finally start to get something down on paper (besides a bunch of random notes) you will quickly realize where you have gaps in your thinking and research.
#4 – Don’t get up for anything!
Someone once told me that to write a dissertation you must have an iron butt! I’ll stand up and cheer for that one. When you sit down to write, don’t get up to eat, to drink water, to check if the mailman has arrived, to brush your teeth or even to go to the bathroom. Just write and write and write!
Conclusion
Focus on your writing! Don’t let anything distract you, not your blasted e-mail that calls to you (or used to call to you now that you shut it off), not that tempting wireless signal that gives you permission to surf, not that doughnut in the fridge, not anything. Just stay focused on your output and you will make some significant progress on your dissertation.
I’d love to hear any ideas you have for staying focused while writing! Please feel free to leave your comments below.
Happy researching!
Gustavo:
I just found your blog and wanted to tell you that I greatly appreciate your focus on students and the aspects of schooling. Good luck in finishing your dissertation and your move to Medallin. I’ve been to Bogota, Cali, Ibague, and Manizales a few times myself.
I look forward to reading your thoughts!
Jared:
Thanks much.
You do get around Colombia. What type of work were you doing there? Or was it more of a vacation?
Good luck on your program as well. Anyone who is willing to tackle Ancient Semitic Languages has got my respect! 🙂
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hello, i too just happened across your blog. i’ve just started a blog recently on my dissertation writing, as i am on a leave of absence and need something to chronicle my progress, as i am not physically on campus nor regularly communicate with my adviser. i finally decided to see who else did something similar, and i like your focused and helpful posts–i’m a health sciences major, but the writing process is the same.
one of the things that i have found helps me focus is to physically not be at home. i am just not disciplined enough to sit still at home. i go to the library (which is best) or coffee shops, where i can’t get up and clean or play with the cat or cook something.
occasionally i clear off the dining room table and only put my computer, my statistics book or research notes, roll my office chair out there, and work. i find just having a clear and organized space helps my mind be clear and organized. my desk is the opposite of organized and no matter what i do, i can’t keep it clear.
if i really can’t focus, i try writing outlines or diagramming whatever it is i’m supposed to be writing. something that helps my brain think in a different and novel way, which keeps my interest.
good luck to you!
amanda
Amanda:
Thanks so much for your helpful comments.
Indeed, the writing process is something all dissertation writers must master, regardless of subject! I’ll look forward to your progress.
Do you have a thesis already? What size is your dissertation? I have to write somewhere in the 80,000 word range, 250 pages or so.
Good luck on your work.
Gustavo
Hi Gustavo,
I do have a thesis, if you mean masters thesis and if you mean topic/thesis of the dissertation. I had to come up with and defend my topic of inquiry about three years ago, after writing an theory and methods based proposal for my committee. The papers I said I would write are little different than the ones I ended up with, based on the data I collected, but that’s part of the process of research–you don’t always end up with what you expect!
My dissertation is likely going to be about 30,000-35,000 words when all said and done, which will be on the longer side for students in my department. In the sciences and social sciences we can do a three paper option, instead of a book with chapters (which I did for my masters). I have chosen the three paper option, because that puts me one step closer to journal publication.
I cannot fathom 80,000 words! That’s a lot of writing and computer time.
Cheers,
amanda
Thanks for sharing your experience, I think that that was the reminder that I definitely needed right now.
Glad I could be of help!
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Hi Gustavo,
Thank you so much for your post. It helps me a lot. I also send my MBA classmates link to read and apply your tips.
I just picked a topic to write my Master’s dissertation. And I actually start today. I have 1 month to complete the first draft (before May 11) and then submit the final dissertation 2 weeks after that.
I am going to research about “The influence of Personality Traits on Social Entrepreneurship Start Up Intentions in Vietnam”
I hope we can share experiences during my time writing the dissertation. Nearly my 50 classmates would learn a lot from you 🙂
Cheers,
Yen.
Yen:
So glad to hear from you. And glad the writing posts are helpful.
I’ve enjoyed my dissertation process. Hard work though, and look forward to being done someday.
Your topic sounds very interesting. Keep me posted.
Gustavo