How to Handle Procrastination: Managing the PhD One Deadline at a Time with Elizabeth Yardley

Dr Elizabeth Yardley graduated from Aston Business School in 2007 with a PhD exploring young parent’s experiences of stigma. She has worked in UK universities since then, teaching and researching a range of social science subjects including sociology, social policy and criminology. In 2021, she set up Degree Doctor to help overwhelmed PhD students experiencing a range of issues including perfectionism and imposter syndrome. Her resources not only help students with the how-to elements of a PhD but support them as they navigate the messy and magical emotions of the doctoral journey.  

 

In this episode we discuss the challenges of procrastination during a PhD journey - including fear of failure and criticism.  We consider how procrastination can turn small tasks into massive ones, creating a vicious cycle of delay and emotional distress.

 

Elizabeth offers some practical strategies for dealing with procrastination as well as highlighting the underlying issues that may be at play.

 

She also emphasizes the importance of self compassion and leaves us with a game-changing top tip to help you keep your momentum going.

You can find out more about Elizabeth’s work here: 

 

Degree Doctor YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/@DegreeDoctor 

Degree Doctor Instagram https://www.instagram.com/thedegreedoctor/ 

Degree Doctor Website https://www.thedegreedoctor.com/  

Direct link to Procrastination First Aid Worksheet https://www.thedegreedoctor.com/procrastination-first-aid-opt-in 

Etsy Shop - PhD Planners and Study Guides https://theplanningprofessor.etsy.com (Use code PHDLIFERAFT33 for 33% off anything in the shop) 

 

 

For a transcript of this episode go to www.thephdliferaft.com

If you would like to receive a useful weekly email from the PhD Life Raft you can sign up here for ‘Notes from the Life Raft’: https://mailchi.mp/f2dce91955c6/notes-from-the-life-raft