Do any of these red flags apply to your situation? Circle your answers. 

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1. I have lost my motivation for working on my dissertation. YES/NO 

2. My time management skills are weak. YES/NO

3. I feel like an impostor and/or a failure. YES/NO

4. My advisor does not support me. YES/NO

5. I get distracted easily and/or can't focus. YES/NO

6. I don't know what to do next. YES/NO

7. My other obligations get in the way of writing my dissertation. YES/NO 

8. I have trouble with academic writing. YES/NO

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If you answered YES to even one of these, make an action plan to get unstuck. Otherwise, you are in danger of a downward spiral that eventually leads you to drop out or to time out. The more items you checked, the graver the situation is and the sooner you should act.

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Successful doctoral candidates are admired and hired because a completed dissertation represents a monumental achievement, one requiring exceptional discipline and steady progress. You must surmount not only the expected challenges but also others that creep in along the way. When you successfully defend your dissertation, you've demonstrated grit as well as intellectual ability. 

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When your dissertation progress starts grinding to a standstill, consider it a wake-up call. It's time to prioritize reengagement before it's too late. 

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What is one small thing you could do now to move forward? Rinse and repeat to capitalize on the momentum. Consult highly rated dissertation guides, e.g., The Dissertation Journey, for a detailed, user-friendly blueprint. Find a dissertation buddy or join a writing group for accountability and support. 

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You could benefit from a dissertation coach.

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Many doctoral candidates move ahead faster and more confidently with a coach that can help them resolve blocks that have been holding them back. My own clients have overcome all kinds of dissertation hurdles—impostor syndrome, time management, focus and distraction issues, dissertation anxiety and avoidance, writer's block, low motivation, advisor issues, and more. (Click here for my valuable free e-book, Nine Strategies that Get My Clients Across the Finish Line.) 

 

Before hiring a coach, due diligence is recommended as not all coaches are created equal. Good dissertation coaches will hold a credential from the International Coach Federation. Better ones will also have experience in academic coaching. Finally, the best ones will have all the above plus a mastery of science-based positive psychology principles to foster your well-being on the road to success. 

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A positive psychology dissertation coach can be your secret weapon for ramping up progress and building sustainable success habits. Those who try it recommend it as a worthwhile investment that facilitates academic and career success. 

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If you were admitted to a doctoral program, you almost surely have the right stuff. If you watch for red flags and take corrective measures quickly, you will get to the finish line. We'll be rooting for you.