Time management and motivation Getting it together, keeping it together Lilli Huttula 18th October, 2018

Getting it together, keeping it together: time management and motivation It’s quite typical for us humans to stop to think about how we are doing things only when things have already gone wrong. We are not very good at realistic anticipation. But why do you think that we should think of these kinds of things like time management and motivation? UniOGS - Getting it together, keeping it together. Time management and motivation. || Lilli Huttula

Challenges in your doctoral programme? Motivation Time management Getting started Proceeding Writing Tolerating negative emotions Uncertainty (the future, the present situation, funding, etc.) Because we all face challenges. What kind of challenges could there be in your doctoral programme? (keskustelu, kirjaa ylös nekin, joita ei sanota). UniOGS - Getting it together, keeping it together. Time management and motivation. || Lilli Huttula

Time management = self management What are we doing? How are we doing it? When are we doing it? When are we not? How long are we doing it for? Where are we doing it? Management = planning, organizing, executing, directing, controlling, evaluating You know what to do, when to do and where to do. A clear plan will help you to achieve your goals in time and releases energy from constant puzzling with schedules After scheduled working hours you can enjoy your leisure without disturbing ”I should…” thinking. The better we plan our work, the better quality free time we allow ourselves. UniOGS - Getting it together, keeping it together. Time management and motivation. || Lilli Huttula

Goal setting and planning Goal  plan  action Monograph or article-based dissertation? Goals and sub-goals In a research group or by yourself? Social support What other responsibilities? Teaching, other tasks? Time management How do you study? Review your previous studies! Which methods helped you proceed? Personal style So, let’s start with the ”what are we doing part”. Your dissertation is your main goal, right? So it defines a lot of your work. UniOGS - Getting it together, keeping it together. Time management and motivation. || Lilli Huttula

Setting and splitting objectives 1. Start with the long term objective: ”I will graduate in May 2020” 2. Define sub-objectives. ”I’ll concentrate on my first article during this Spring” ”I’ll write the abstract during December” 3. Focus on one sub-objective at a time. ”This week I’ll read literature/articles” ”I’ll analyze results in June” 4. Proceed systematically step by step. ”Today I’ll go to the library” ”I’ll read 50 pages before next Friday” 5. Follow your progression. “I read two articles, good job!” Tip: Write a ”task buffet” that includes many small and possible tasks that you can do. What is the smallest thing you can do daily? From big picture to small daily steps task Sub goal task Sub-objectives are smaller goals that take you towards the main goal. Main goal Sub goal task task Sub goal task task UniOGS - Getting it together, keeping it together. Time management and motivation. || Lilli Huttula

Have SMART goals! Re-evaluate your goals and plan every now and then. UniOGS - Getting it together, keeping it together. Time management and motivation. || Lilli Huttula

Prioritize! Urgent > 30 min. 30 min. – 1 h 1 – 2 h > 2 h Unimportant Important Make your goals your tasks. Cut them into smaller pieces until you have a clear idea of the individual tasks. This helps you evaluate the time that is needed for this. Not urgent UniOGS - Getting it together, keeping it together. Time management and motivation. || Lilli Huttula

Plan your success Plan your upcoming workweek and workday in advance - make it concrete Evaluate and modify your plan Focus only on the things at hand Make a commitment Return to your plan regularly Encourage and support yourself UniOGS - Getting it together, keeping it together. Time management and motivation. || Lilli Huttula

Enable motivation How we think motivation works: Motivation  Action  Getting things done How motivation actually works: Action Motivation Progression UniOGS - Getting it together, keeping it together. Time management and motivation. || Lilli Huttula

Motivation Autonomy Personal interests and strengths Self-direction Goals, deadlines, working hours and free time Self-knowledge Efficiency, concentration, learning environment, studying technique Find your own style to work! - Effective hours: when are you most efficient? - Concentration: silence or background music? - Learning environment: couch at home or library? UniOGS - Getting it together, keeping it together. Time management and motivation. || Lilli Huttula

Motivation Competence Skills Asking for help Criticism Self confidence Strenghts and weaknesses Task requirements Skill development Asking for help Criticism Self confidence Sense of proportion What is enough Learn to handle criticism – it’s not about you as a person - Believe in yourself especially as a learner! You don’t have to know everything but when you trust your ability to find out and learn, working gets easier and motivation is easy to maintain UniOGS - Getting it together, keeping it together. Time management and motivation. || Lilli Huttula

Motivation Relatedness Meaningfulness Effect on other people, the society and science Team work! Learning from others Brainstorming ideas and solutions together Team spirit, positive feedback Accountability supports proceeding Feeling that you’re not alone with your problem UniOGS - Getting it together, keeping it together. Time management and motivation. || Lilli Huttula

Action Action Action Motivation Motivation Motivation Progression planning time management Action Action Action Motivation Motivation Motivation Progression Progression Progression relatedness autonomy competence learning locus of control UniOGS - Getting it together, keeping it together. Time management and motivation. || Lilli Huttula

Getting started Start today no matter how you feel Start small, start easy 20-50 min concentration + break Identify time-killers  plan how to deal with them Focus on the positive sides and outcomes Prepare tomorrow’s work today Tell your goals to others! UniOGS - Getting it together, keeping it together. Time management and motivation. || Lilli Huttula

Procrastination https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4P785j15Tzk

If you get stuck… Talk to your supervisor or colleagues ​ What skills or competence do you need?​ Clarify the structure of your thesis​ Read about your research topic to find a new angle to it​ Read a good (writing) guide ​ Loosen strict requirements​ Learn to tolerate difficult feelings​ Find new ways of doing and proceeding​ Use free writing technique ​ Make sure you have remembered to rest UniOGS - Getting it together, keeping it together. Time management and motivation. || Lilli Huttula

Best of luck with your studies!