the number of the record is now known

[kareina]

As some of you know, just over 22 months ago I realized that I wasn't doing a very good job at keeping up with reading geologic literature, so set myself the goal of reading 1000 words a day, every day. I've mostly managed this goal. There have now been eleven days I've forgotten to read my 1000, which means that I'm managing my goal 98% of the time. My average number of days in a row before forgetting is 60, and my record (achieved the day before yesterday) is 118 days in a row without forgetting (the fact that 60 is average is pretty good, since my worst run was seven days before forgetting again). I understand how I managed to forget yesterday. My habit for much of the past few weeks has been to read from a text book in bed before going to sleep at night, but, for the past week I've been reading pdf files on the computer during the day. For the first five days as I was getting ready to go to bed I'd think about my 1000, remember that I'd read the journal articles, and go happily to sleep without needing to read more. However, yesterday, all day, I was really focused on my thesis work. Several times during the day I thought about doing my 1000, but always thought "later, I'm working just now", but, come sleep time, I just hopped into bed and went to sleep without thinking of reading, because the habit had been broken. Habits are like that--they are easy to build through repetition, but they are also easy to break through a change in routine.

As I'm currently on major crunch time, trying to get everything done on my thesis as fast as possible so that I can start that post-doc position on time, I am now wondering--do I want to put my 1000 words a day self-challenge on hold while I finish the thesis to cut back on the non-writing distractions? There will still be some reading anyway--particularly as I do the discussion and conclusion section of the thesis, where I will need to be citing lots of previous work and pointing out the manner in which my samples are similar or different from theirs. But I wonder, if the obligatory nature of the goal will help, or hinder this final push? I also wonder if stopping the goal now risks my not starting it back up again when the thesis is finished. I welcome any thoughts others have on this topic, and while I'm waiting for you guys to see this and reply, I think I'll go read 1000 words...

Comments

[rustmon.livejournal.com]

I'd say yes, because you need to get your thesis done. I think working as a post-doc, you'll have plenty of time to read and do.... ;)

1000 words a day

[darttn.livejournal.com]

Hi, In order to concentrate on your thesis, why not change that goal for the duration of completing your thesis to 1000 words a week. Then set one specific day - eg. every Sunday - to read your 1000 words. That way, you are continuing your goal, but just revising the frequency for a short period of time.

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Mom