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

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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

13. 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

14. 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

15. 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

16. Procrastination

17. 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

18. Best of luck with your studies!