Mistake #1: Waiting Until You “Feel Like It”

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The Problem: Waiting for inspiration is like standing at the trailhead, staring at your map, and hoping the mountain will climb itself. Dissertation work often gets delayed because deadlines are distant, accountability is low, and fear or uncertainty about the next step lurks in the background. This leads to guilt, stress, and—you guessed it—more waiting.

 

How to Fix It: Start walking on your trail, even on uninspired days. Calendarize your dissertation time and protect it. Set small, clear goals—200 words a day, 30 minutes each morning—and track your progress. Add accountability through a writing buddy, coach, or a focus timer. Action sparks motivation, and before long, you’ll feel momentum carrying you forward. As procrastination expert Tim Pychyl, Ph.D., asserts, “Identifying the next action is key to overcoming the inertia of procrastination.”
 

 

Mistake #2: Aiming for Perfection over Growth

 

The Problem: If you refuse to take a single step until the path is perfectly identified, you’ll never leave base camp. Constantly editing for perfection from the outset leads to delays and missed feedback.  A  crippling fear of mistakes stemming from a fixed mindset leads to procrastination, whereas a growth mindset allows you to focus on learning as you go.

 

How to Fix It: Embrace “ugly first drafts.” I often call my initial efforts a “zero draft,” because it frees me to get moving without pressure. Remember that most advisors would rather see your ideas take shape than wait forever for polished pages. Early feedback is like checking your compass—it keeps you on the right trail before you get lost in the weeds. Aim to improve your work rather than prove yourself as you work.
 

 

Mistake #3: Trying to Do It All Alone

 

The Problem: Traveling solo through academic wilderness is lonely and risky. Isolation saps motivation and magnifies every setback. Without other voices, you miss out on ideas, encouragement, and accountability.

 

How to Fix It: Find your expedition team. Join or form a writing group. Schedule weekly check-ins with a doctoral peer. Get a coach. Studies show that social support reduces procrastination and makes the whole process feel less like solitary survival.

 

 

Mistake #4: Treating Self-Care as Self-Indulgence

 

The Problem: Some students think the only path to success is powering through sleepless nights wired by endless coffee. That’s like hiking on a sprained ankle—you won’t make it far and you’ll be worse off. Skipping sleep, movement, and breaks zaps creativity and focus while worsening fatigue.  Self-care is not self-indulgence—it’s a necessity.

 

How to Fix It: Protect your mind and body—your only tools for making this journey. Regular sleep, nourishing food, and physical activity fuel productivity. Short walks, yoga, or fun breaks aren’t indulgences—they’re refueling stops that keep your expedition on course.

 

 

Mistake #5: Ignoring Small Wins

 

The Problem: If you only celebrate when you plant your flag at the summit, you’ll miss the morale boosts of each milestone along the way. Many students barely check off one task before jumping to the next, constantly eyeing what remains to be done. This drains motivation. 

 

How to Fix It: Savor your progress. Research by Harvard’s Teresa Amabile, Ph.D., shows that noticing progress on meaningful work ignites creativity, engagement, and joy. Keep a small dissertation diary, post a simple “done list,” and/or share small victories with a friend. Every landmark you pass is proof you’re moving forward.
 

 

Mistake #6: Comparing Yourself to Others

 

The Problem: Looking at someone else’s expedition and deciding yours is relatively pitiful is a recipe for misery. Social media and departmental chatter make it seem like everyone else is faster or more brilliant. Usually, however, you’re only seeing their highlight reel, not the missteps or detours.

 

How to Fix It: Focus on your own path. Measure progress against your past self, not your peers. Reflect on how far you’ve come—maybe last year you hadn’t even collected data, and now you have chapters in draft. This sparks useful energy. Curiosity about others’ methods is useful; envy just weighs down your pack.

 

 

Step by Step, You’ll Reach the Summit

 

Finishing a dissertation does not require continuous inspiration.  What will get you to the finish line is steady movement forward. Swap out habits that slow you down for those that build focus, balance, and resilience. Celebrate each small milestone with your new awareness that progress fuels progress.

 

Keep moving, step by step, and before long you’ll look back from the summit—proud not only of your dissertation, but of the confident, capable scholar your perseverance has made you. 

 

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P.S. If you’d like a seasoned guide to keep you energized on the trail, a dissertation coach can help you keep climbing and reach the peak faster. Click here to apply for more info.