Category Archives: Productivity

Writer's block

5 Inspirational Quotes to Help You Overcome Writer’s Block

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Writer’s block is a serious issue that affects authors and academics of every discipline. Whether you’re writing a thesis, an essay, or a novel, feeling stuck can hinder your progress and kill your motivation. Luckily, many other famous and successful writers have dealt with this issue and have tips on how to conquer it. If you’re currently dealing with a bout of writer’s block, let these words of wisdom help you overcome it and get going again.

Get Over Blank Page Syndrome

“Unfortunately, many people suffer from BPS—Blank Page Syndrome. Let’s face it: starting to write is scary. Seeing the cursor blinking at you on that bright white screen, realizing that you now have to come up with three or ten or twenty pages of text all on your own—it’s enough to give anyone a major case of writer’s block!”—Stefanie Weisman

As author Stefanie Weisman puts it, Blank Page Syndrome is real and can be debilitating if you don’t recognize it and work to overcome it. When you know that you have a certain page or word count to hit, being faced with a blank screen can be one of the worst things in the world. One way to get over BPS is to try writing in a range of forms. For example, if you find yourself sidetracked by all the distractions a computer has to offer, or if the blinking cursor on the blank screen is giving you anxiety, going the old fashion route with a pen and paper can help you get back in the groove. You can also try speaking your writing out loud and recording your ideas in audio that can later be transcribed into text.

Write Through the Block

“Writing about writer’s block is better than not writing at all.”—Charles Bukowski

If you’re stuck on a writing project, whether you’re just trying to get started or are somewhere in the middle, writing something is always better than writing nothing. As Bukowski put it, the best way to jumpstart your ideas is to write through the block. This could mean writing about how difficult it is to write, writing about your cat, or writing about basically any other topic—it doesn’t necessarily have to be related to your project. Just the act of writing itself can help you overcome the block.

Break it Down

“The secret of getting ahead is getting started. The secret of getting started is breaking your complex overwhelming tasks into small manageable tasks, and then starting on the first one.”—Mark Twain

Mark Twain was a man of organization and discipline. His suggestion for how to overcome writer’s block involves breaking down a larger task into smaller, more manageable tasks. This is a good strategy for a wide variety of large projects, but especially for writing. Any writing task, whether it’s a thesis, an essay, or a book, can be broken down into multiple steps. For example, you might think of things like research, drafting, writing the introduction, or writing each paragraph or chapter as separate steps. Then write down all of the steps in an order that makes sense and work on each step one at a time to help you feel less overwhelmed.

Persistence is Key

“You don’t start out writing good stuff. You start out writing crap and thinking it’s good stuff, and then gradually you get better at it. That’s why I say one of the most valuable traits is persistence.”—Octavia Butler

Nobody understood writer’s block better that Octavia Butler. Her words of advice involve persistence when writing, even if you feel certain that what you’re writing isn’t good. You should never be afraid to write poorly, because sometimes getting out all the bad writing is the only way to get to the good stuff. No matter how bad you think your writing is, keep at it and eventually it will get better. Persistence and determination are some of the best cures for writer’s block.

Stick to a Schedule

“I only write when I am inspired. Fortunately I am inspired at 9 o’clock every morning.”—William Faulkner

Writing is not all about the creativity and fun of the craft. It’s also about putting in the work and having the self-discipline to write every day. If you find yourself lacking motivation or struggling with writer’s block, sometimes treating writing like a job, complete with a set schedule, can help you be more productive and overcome writer’s block. Consistency and discipline of the kind alluded to by Faulkner is sometimes necessary for progressing on a large project.

Writer’s block can be a writer’s worst enemy, but it doesn’t have to be as daunting as it’s made out to be. If you’re struggling with what to write or being confronted with the blank page, looking to professional writers for advice can be helpful.

The Pomodoro Method

The Pomodoro Method—Improve Your Productivity Levels

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Scientists believe that, thanks to technology, the human attention span is now less than that of a goldfish. If you’ve ever had a hard time focusing while studying or writing, a short attention span can be to blame. While there’s not a lot we can do to change our shortening attention spans, there are a few proven techniques that can help you stay focused and improve your productivity levels. Being productive is all about staying away from distractions and keeping your head in your work. The Pomodoro Method of productivity encourages you to take regular breaks while you’re working, in order to stay focused. Keep reading to learn more about the Pomodoro Method and how you can use it to improve your productivity levels.

What is the Pomodoro Method?

Developed in the 1980s by Francesco Cirillo, this time-management technique gets its name from the common tomato-shaped kitchen timer. The system operates on the belief that by dividing your work and breaks into regular, short increments you can avoid feeling overwhelmed by looming tasks while also preventing burn out. Today, it’s a widespread method that’s used by professionals in a variety of fields, from science and technology to writing and academia.

How Does it Work?

  1. Set a timer for 25 minutes, and start your task. You don’t have to use a traditional kitchen timer, of course—there are several apps and websites that were specifically developed to be used with this method.
  2. If a distraction pops into your head, write it down on a piece of paper and return to your task.
  3. When the buzzer rings, put a checkmark on your paper. You’ve completed one increment, also known as a pomodoro.
  4. Take a five-minute break. During this time you can check the distractions that popped into your head, stretch, grab a cup of tea, and so on.
  5. After four pomodoros, take a 30-minute break.
  6. Repeat!

How Does the Pomodoro Method Improve Your Productivity?

Although taking frequent breaks may seem counterproductive, in reality they help keep your mind fresh and focused. The official Pomodoro website says, “You will probably begin to notice a difference in your work or study process within a day or two. True mastery of the technique takes from seven to twenty days of constant use.” By keeping up with the Pomodoro method, you should see steady improvements in your productivity.

 

Whether you’re working on a short project, studying for an exam, or writing something longer, like a thesis, the Pomodoro Method can help you get through projects faster by forcing you to adhere to strict timing. Watching the timer go down can give you the motivation you need to finish up a task before the clock runs out. The constant timing of your work also makes you more accountable for your tasks and minimizes the time you spend procrastinating. Instead of trying to ignore distractions completely, by carving out a specific time for yourself to address distractions you can actually be more productive in the long run.

Rocks

Postgraduate Study got you Down? Try these Tips

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A great deal of our proofreading and copy editing work at Stickler comes from master’s and PhD students. In fact, theses and dissertations are some of our favorite jobs, because we can see all the dedication and passion that have gone into them and we love helping edge that hard work towards the finish line. However, with hard work often comes a great deal of stress, anxiety, and other mental health problems, and if these aren’t managed effectively it can seriously undermine your health, not to mention the end result of your dedicated study. Here are some ideas for managing stress and related issues.

Have a Good Support Structure

Surrounding yourself with friends and family is a great way to help you blow off steam and put things in perspective. Isolating yourself is one of the worst things you can do and only fosters anxiety and depression during tough times. It might seem like a tall order, but carving out time in your schedule to go to lunch with a friend, visit family members, have dinner with your significant other—or even just have a 10-minute video chat with someone who helps you stay positive—can make a huge difference.

Don’t Forget to Take Care of Yourself

Stress, although a psychological problem, is a self-feeding phenomenon and can affect your physical body more than you realize. However, this means stress and related issues can also be managed, at least in part, through physical care. Taking care of yourself by eating right, getting enough exercise, and making sleep a priority can help you feel more relaxed and ready to tackle the next stage of your research or writing.

Celebrate Successes, No Matter How Small

As a PhD or master’s student it’s easy to focus only on setbacks, especially if you’re stuck on a chapter or not quite achieving the research results you want. To counter this, remember to celebrate the successes in your life—no matter how small. Keeping a gratitude journal is one way to focus on the positive things, whether these are study-related or not.

Remind Yourself of Your Long-Term Goals

Writing your thesis or dissertation can be a grueling process. It’s easy to lose sight of your long-term goals and get stuck in the dread of everyday challenges. Remind yourself of your long-term goals and the reason you want to obtain your postgraduate degree in the first place. Whether it’s a dream job, a research goal, or even just a personal achievement, keeping sight of the light at the end of the tunnel can remind you of why all the hard work now will be worth it later.

Don’t Forget About Your Life Outside of School

While it’s good to be passionate about your work, it’s also important to maintain hobbies and interests that aren’t related to your thesis or dissertation, and to remind you that there is more to life than your degree. This will also enable you to take a break and get refreshed when your studies become stressful.

Don’t Be Afraid to Seek Help

If you sense your feelings are too much to handle on your own, or even just that you might benefit from some outside perspective, don’t be afraid to seek professional help. Many graduate schools offer counseling and therapy services for students, and there are now several websites, such as www.betterhelp.com, that offer counseling online (this can be a great way to access help quickly and easily). Talking things through with a professional can give you the boost and the personal tools you need to continue with your studies in a healthy way.

Typewriter

10 Writing Tips from Famous Writers

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Being a writer, whether you’re an academic, a business professional, or a novelist, is hard work. Below are 10 tips from writers who have achieved a certain level of fame and success. Although a lot of the advice comes from fiction writers, we hope they’ll inspire our academic clients as well, whether that means helping you to hunker down at your desk and write or getting you out of a bout of writer’s block.

 

  1. Be Disciplined 

“All through my career I’ve written 1,000 words a day—even if I’ve got a hangover. You’ve got to discipline yourself if you’re professional. There’s no other way.”

– J.G. Ballard

Unless you’re the kind of person who thrives under pressure, deadlines can be the bane of your life! But instead of stressing out, use deadlines to create a writing schedule to motivate you. If you find yourself unable to write consistently or if you find the prospect of meeting one overarching goal (e.g., “FINISH THE PAPER”) daunting, try setting small milestones for yourself. Taking it a page at a time, for example, can help you avoid feeling overwhelmed, especially if you’re working on a long or complex piece such as a thesis or dissertation.

 

  1. Write What You Would Want to Read

“If there’s a book that you want to read, but it hasn’t been written yet, then you must write it.”

– Toni Morrison

When you go to write something, take a moment to step back and look at your work from the perspective of the reader. Does this paper make a truly valuable contribution to the field, and is it something that you would want to spend time reading yourself? When in doubt, always write based on what you would want to read. Chances are if you enjoy reading your writing, others will too.

 

  1. Keep a Notebook Handy 

“Always carry a notebook […] The short-term memory only retains information for three minutes; unless it is committed to paper you can lose an idea forever.”

– Will Self

It’s important to be prepared when inspiration strikes. Keeping a notebook on you is a great way to jot down your thoughts or interesting facts you come across that can be useful in developing your research. When you’re stuck in a rut, you can always look at your notebook for new and interesting ideas to get you writing again.

 

  1. Read As Much As You Can

“Read, read, read. Read everything […] and see how they do it. Just like a carpenter who works as an apprentice and studies the master. Read! You’ll absorb it. Then write. If it’s good, you’ll find out. If it’s not, throw it out of the window.”

– William Faulkner

To master the craft of writing, you need to first master the craft of reading. Imagine going to a restaurant where the chef has never eaten the food, or listening to a singer who doesn’t enjoy music. Read everything you can—including on topics that are outside of your field of study. By reading, you can learn from other writers and absorb their techniques.

 

  1. Get Organized

“I don’t need to know everything, I just need to know where to find it.”

– Albert Einstein

If you’re constantly trying to find the right place in your preliminary research or locate your most recent data, try getting organized. Even if you’re not the type to use color-coded folders and neatly positioned Post-Its, just keeping reference information, arguments, quotes, statistical workings, and so on in the form of well-ordered notes with clear headings can be immensely helpful.

 

  1. Edit, Edit, Edit

“The first draft of everything is s**t.”

– Ernest Hemingway

After you’ve created your draft, it’s important to go back and edit it. It can help to give yourself some time between writing and editing—that way, when you come back to your work you’re fresh and able to see issues you might have missed before. Of course, we also recommend using a professional copy editing service after you self-edit to ensure that your work is fully ready for publication/submission to help you polish your language, and ensure that everything is consistent, the references are in the correct style, and the work flows.

 

  1. To Be a Writer, You Have to Write

“Planning to write is not writing. Outlining… researching… talking to people about what you’re doing, none of that is writing. Writing is writing.”

– E.L. Doctorow

While it’s important to plan and outline, spending too much time on those things can turn into procrastination. Trust that you’ve done enough research and planning to start formulating your arguments and thoughts on paper. Sit down, take a deep breath, and get started.

 

  1. Remember it’s Okay to Make Mistakes

“We learn from failure, not from success!”

–  Bram Stoker

Never be afraid of making mistakes—even the most recognized authors in your field will have faced criticism at one time or another, and remember, the only way to improve is to make mistakes and learn from them. If your findings are questioned, or your paper rejected from your target journal, remember not to take it personally. Try to take a step back, look at the feedback you’re given, and use it to your advantage to develop your work.

 

  1. Write Clearly

“A good style must first be clear.”

– Aristotle

This point is especially pertinent for academic writing. Even simple sentences can convey complex ideas, while verbose, overly wordy text can confuse the reader and detract from an otherwise solid argument. Again, a professional copy editing service can be of immense help in trimming unnecessary or repetitive words and phrases to make sure the key ideas are clear.

 

  1.  Write Through Your Problems

“The time to begin writing an article is when you have finished it to your satisfaction. By that time you begin to clearly and logically perceive what it is you really want to say.”

– Mark Twain

Writer’s block is a real problem even for academics. With all the research and information at your disposal, putting your thoughts on paper in a way that makes sense can be a challenge. If you’re ever having trouble articulating your central proposition or hypothesis, try writing through it—put pen to paper (or fingers to keys) and just get going. By the time you’ve finished writing the first draft, you should start to see the logic you need take shape.

 

 

Studying

4 Simple Study Techniques to Try This Semester

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Whether you’re studying for an exam or trying to get a paper written, finding the focus you need can be difficult. Creating a personalized study plan is one of the most effective ways to stay focused and finish the task at hand. Below are four simple study techniques to try this semester. They are designed to help you create a study strategy that works for you.

1. Eliminate Distractions

In our interconnected world, one of the best ways to ensure you get zero studying done is to surround yourself with distractions. Distractions can be anything from open tabs on your internet browser, to a vibrating phone, or a messy room. Even when you think you’re not being distracted, there is almost always the potential for distraction lurking around the corner. In order to truly get work done you don’t just need to avoid distractions, you need to eliminate them completely.

 

Use focus apps—There are too many focus apps out there to list, but finding an app that works with your browser and operating system can help stop you from going to websites that aren’t conducive to studying. SelfControl (for Mac) and Cold Turkey (for PC) are some great focus apps that are easy to use and can help you eliminate the distractions of the internet altogether.

 

Disconnect from the internet when writing—Even with focus apps blocking certain websites, you still have access to the possibilities of the internet. While search engines can be useful for looking things up when doing research, they can easily turn into an endless rabbit hole of irrelevant internet searches. Try unplugging your router while you write the first draft of your paper—in other words, worry about researching facts and citing sources later, just try and focus on the writing.

 

Put your phone in another room—Physically removing your phone from arm’s reach can do wonders for your studying productivity. This technique eliminates the possibility of mindlessly picking up your phone every time it lights up. You might be surprised at the amount of time you save by not looking at your phone every few minutes.

2. Create a Designated Space for Studying

If you’re currently studying on your couch or bed, the physical space around you could be hindering your ability to study efficiently. Much like you have dedicated spaces for certain activities in your life—a bed for sleeping, a table for eating, a couch for entertaining—it’s just as important that you have a dedicated space for studying. Carve out a corner of your room where you can place a simple desk and a comfortable chair. Make sure the space is well lit and add personal touches like paintings or house plants. Once you sit down in your dedicated study space your brain will associate it with that specific activity, making your study time more efficient.

3. Meditate to Clear Your Mind

Studies have shown that meditation can help you concentrate for longer periods of time. A large part of studying is staying focused on the task at hand. If you find your mind wandering away while you’re trying to work, meditating can help you concentrate and absorb the material that you’re reading. Meditation is also a great tool for clearing your mind of any anxieties, worries, or stress that may be hindering your ability to study.

4. Take Better Notes

Your study strategy is only as good as the notes you take. If your notes are currently an incomprehensible scribbled mess, it may be time to rethink the way your approach. Below are a few tips on how to take better notes that can change the way you study.

 

Get organized—To make your notes easier to read when you’re studying, try color coding them by topic. Using highlighters, different colored pens, or sticky notes can make the result more fun and effective.

 

Cornell Method—There are several different proven methods for effectively taking notes, including the Cornell Method. This involves separating your notes into two columns and asking yourself a series of questions after you’ve taken them—we thoroughly recommend checking out the above link to find out more. You can also try the Mapping Method and use Mind Maps to help organize your thoughts.  

 

Creating a study strategy is an important tool for excelling in your courses and using your time efficiently. So experiment with eliminating distractions, carving out a space for yourself, meditating, or revamping your note-taking approach to figure out what works best for you.

Fear-based procrastination

“The Thief of Time”: Fear-based Procrastination and How to Fight It

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Have you ever tried to ignore an important task, irrationally hoping that it will go away on its own? You might have imagined that an assignment is bigger or smaller than it really is. Many people substitute an essential task with something else, such as cleaning their workspace or home. Others will create detailed plans but not do the actual work, or stick to only one part of the project and ignore everything else.

All of these are examples of procrastination, and all are seductive ways of putting off what we need to do today.

Why do we procrastinate, even when the results can be so negative?

For most people, fear is the cause of procrastination; we procrastinate to relieve fear and anxiety. This might be fear that:

  • Our work will not turn out well due to our own high standards. (Did you know that some people handicap themselves when they feel not up to a task, so as to have an excuse for their failure?)
  • If we start working harder and then succeed, expectations will increase to an unsustainable level.
  • The task is just too big to accomplish.

In a similar vein, we might delay starting work because:

  • It makes us feel more in control, perhaps as a form of rebellion against authority figures or teachers.
  • We want others to come “rescue” and help us.

Here’s where the tough love comes in.

Whatever emotions drive your procrastination, it’s important to realize that procrastination is a choice. For example, when you substitute one task for another, you are actually choosing to procrastinate, even though it feels very impulsive. Most people make time for the things that they really love to do, and have appointments that they would never miss or cancel. When you look at procrastination as a choice, it’s easier to see that you can change the way you manage your time.

How can you overcome procrastination?

Most people ultimately overcome procrastination when their fear of missing a deadline becomes greater than their fear of doing a bad job. They throw something together and hope for the best. However, this is a very hard path that can lead to regret.

We here at Stickler got together to find some slightly (we feel) more effective ways to change your procrastination habit.

  1. Take care of yourself physically.

There aren’t a lot of things that can’t be cured with a walk in the fresh air, moderate exercise, a healthy diet, and enough sleep. Studies have shown that people who take walks see marked improvement in their focus and attention span. And those who are well-rested have more willpower and are more likely to make the tough choices that combat procrastination.

  1. Reduce negative self-talk.

Most procrastinators hate the fact that they do it on a regular basis. They often think that there is something wrong with them. They might tell themselves that they’re stupid and don’t deserve to be in the position they’re in, which is known as imposter syndrome. Negativity pushes you deeper into procrastination because you need a relief for your anxiety.

You would never bully a friend who procrastinates, so why should you do the same to yourself? Be nice to yourself most of all.

  1. Create a productivity log.

Rather than creating a to-do list, you might consider creating a “done” list and write down things that you’ve accomplished that day. You’ll see what you’re doing well and what you could do better. It’s much more heartening to see completed tasks, rather than a list of things that you didn’t get around to doing. It’s one way to create accountability to yourself.

  1. Break it down.

In a similar vein, it can be useful to break down that one “mammoth” task (e.g., “write my PhD dissertation 😐 ”) into smaller, digestible chunks (e.g. “draft outline,” “write introduction,” “send literature review for proofreading,” and so on). Regardless of whether you favor a to-do list or a productivity log, it will end up with a lot more items on it!

  1. Get an accountability buddy.

Many PhD candidates’ biggest regret is not joining a thesis support group. We’ve talked before about asking others for help when it comes to your writing, and we’ll say it again. Accountability buddies can help motivate you, keep you on track, and give you a trusted vent for your emotions. You don’t even have to find someone to work with face-to-face—try online forums for students in your field.

In the end, it’s always important to keep your goal in mind. Instead of thinking about your goal in terms of finishing your academic paper or your master’s thesis, you might want to think about the place of this big project in your life. How will it benefit you to do well on it? How will you feel once you finish? Giving a project personal meaning is the key to consistent motivation in the face of difficult tasks.