Something wrong with my state of mind?

Hi all...

Basically I am in a motivation black hole. I can't seem to make myself get out of bed early, unless there is something I have to do - like teaching undergraduates - and I seem to make time disappear all the other times, usually surfing the net , and manage to get no work done. This is a bit of a problem, given that I am left to my own devices for long periods of time. I guess PhD students are expected to be able to handle that....

Anyway, my question is this. I am sure that some of you will have been thorugh motivation problems just like this. If you have how did you deal with it?


I am starting to get a bit worried about my lack of work lately

I have that exact same problem, unless I know that there is something I need to do, I will never do anything and end up getting up really quite late.

Is your getting up late related to going to sleep late? JK!

Mine isn't - even though I go to bed reasonably early and get up late it still feels like I have had no rest - almost as if I have been worrying about it in my sleep

I have no idea if this is related, but I haven't had any dreams (i.e. I don't remember having dreams, not that I had one but can't remember it) for a long time now. Tres weird. I feel a bit cheated actually - dreams are great!

might be that you are finishing a dream while you are still asleep.

I suppose that might be tru, but I am talking months here... and prior to this I almost always could remember havin at least one dream. I know it sounds a bit dramatic, but it's like there's something missing

Oh man, I really need sort myself out

Maybe you are lacking REM when you are asleep (although such a condition, in my knowledge at least, does not exist outside of Star trek)

Very funny. I actually laughed out loud! Yes, I know... I'm a geek

I was being serious, but perhaps it was a silly idea. I see you too, just as these_apples are somewhat of a trekkie then.

I guess it's possible, I just found the star trek thing too funny...

I think that these_apples didn't have much choice in what was on the telly when I (or our older sister) was around, so she "inherited" some trekkieness from us I guess, along with some other bizarre tastes.

Hi all...

Basically I am in a motivation black hole. I can't seem to make myself get out of bed early, unless there is something I have to do - like teaching undergraduates - and I seem to make time disappear all the other times, usually surfing the net , and manage to get no work done. This is a bit of a problem, given that I am left to my own devices for long periods of time. I guess PhD students are expected to be able to handle that....

Anyway, my question is this. I am sure that some of you will have been thorugh motivation problems just like this. If you have how did you deal with it?


I am starting to get a bit worried about my lack of work lately

I have a problem in that I leave everything until the last minute...I'm currently trying to finish off coursework for tommorow...only 700 words to go thank god but seriously...I've done so much tonight.

I just think,"Oh I can't do it now,I'll lose track of time and then miss my bus and forget to go to work/college/wherever.."

Then when I get in I am always too 'tired.'

Yep, strange but true. That's the whole difference between sixth-form and university - not being spoon-fed and doing your own research. If you think you're in a motivational hole then you could always try making up a routine and sticking to it - e.g. if you forced yourself to do 3 things a day, no matter how big or small they were, you would accomplish 21 things a week. Repetition is the key, like revision just before exams.

Hi all...

Basically I am in a motivation black hole. I can't seem to make myself get out of bed early, unless there is something I have to do - like teaching undergraduates - and I seem to make time disappear all the other times, usually surfing the net , and manage to get no work done. This is a bit of a problem, given that I am left to my own devices for long periods of time. I guess PhD students are expected to be able to handle that....

Anyway, my question is this. I am sure that some of you will have been thorugh motivation problems just like this. If you have how did you deal with it?


I am starting to get a bit worried about my lack of work lately

I kicked my butt, that's what I did.

It's good that you've come to the realisation that you've hit a rut - that's a big part of the problem overcome.

I like to write lists of things that need to be done...a long list looks very ominous, and makes you feel uncomfortable at the thought of having to shift that much paper, however, when you start to cross things off, having done them - you do get a feel of "hey, I can do this"..and it's a great morale booster.

If you can't hack the listing - get tighter on yourself; make a timetable.

About the net; you could always get a friend to hold onto your internet cable for a day so you can sort yourself out without being tempted.


There's no quick fix, nor anyone who can help you with this except yourself. All we can do is wish you luck.

I kicked my butt, that's what I did.

It's good that you've come to the realisation that you've hit a rut - that's a big part of the problem overcome.

I like to write lists of things that need to be done...a long list looks very ominous, and makes you feel uncomfortable at the thought of having to shift that much paper, however, when you start to cross things off, having done them - you do get a feel of "hey, I can do this"..and it's a great morale booster.

If you can't hack the listing - get tighter on yourself; make a timetable.

About the net; you could always get a friend to hold onto your internet cable for a day so you can sort yourself out without being tempted.


There's no quick fix, nor anyone who can help you with this except yourself. All we can do is wish you luck.