Strategies for effective thesis writing II
Part II - The Early Riser
When the hermit-eske/esque approach fails, I like to adopt what I call the Early Riser. It’s a move I’ve pulled before. It’s pretty straighforward, you just get up early and start working before your mind works out what is going on.
There are two basic elements;
1. Get up really early. It has to be stupid-early though, otherwise it doesn’t work. This morning I arrived at work at 0535 and did a solid 6 hours work before morning tea.
2. Make sure you have lots of coffee handy!
The advantages of this method are that I’m at my most productive in the early morning, and I seem to actually make less mistakes than at other times of the day (surprising). I also get the opportunity to be an annoying, slightly demoralising morning person, which is usually Karin’s job. Other advantages include getting the best parking spot and getting to know the cleaning lady (handy for when your fish tank explodes, as it invariably does).
The disadvantages are fairly obvious: by lunchtime you need a nap! But, then you can get back up and do an afternoon session (maybe go for a bike ride and take some photos):
June 7th, 2006 at 9:58 am
I am troubled by this part of your post tom “..getting the best parking spot..”
I empathise with your leg troubles tomo but have the clear skies and “chilly” winter temps dampened your spirits to the point where you don’t cycle to work, thus eliminating the need for coffee. You could be doubly annoying since not only would you be awake and productive but also energised from your physical exertion.
You can’t get street cred on your fixie if it isn’t on the street mate
June 7th, 2006 at 10:11 am
The best parking spot for your bike!
time trial timtim, I have thought the same myself. However, my fixie is not yet in running order. I am still acquiring parts for the build.
Most days I have been working from home, but when my productivity drops, I head to uni for a change of scenery.
It’s too far to ride with my sore leg. Instead, I do shorter daily afternoon rides around the Strand/Port area. The physical benefits of cycling would, at present, be offset by the complete inability to walk the next day.
June 7th, 2006 at 10:54 am
I could barely walk after lock and I went for a ride last saturday. I sucked, lock dominated, nailing a jump over a 2m wide and 1m deep gully. I recorded the action on my silly little camera phone!
I then hobbled to the climbing crag on sunday and hitched my skirt up so I could dominate the rock. I did, however, get slapped down on one climb and took a 4m whipper!! fun
June 7th, 2006 at 10:59 am
Unfortunately, Dominators skirts are not available.
June 7th, 2006 at 11:00 am
this is how some choose to park their bikes http://www.sydbma.org/index.php?option=com_simpleboard&Itemid=106&func=view&catid=2&id=2210&lang=#2210
June 7th, 2006 at 12:26 pm
Nice work on the early rising Tomo. I live exactly 6.5 minutes walk from my office door and I haven’t arrived at work before 9 one day this week. Perhaps the domination on Saturday and gapping creek gullies has caused some lethargy to set in in the early part of the week. That and the fact of Kath’s b’day last Friday so we’ve done nothing but eat and drink for several days straight.
Race this Sunday - gotta shape up.
June 7th, 2006 at 12:33 pm
yes we do, don’t want to be too shamed by benny and stevo. I don’t thing the “this week” part of your comment cuts it lock, better insert “this year”, or rather “since moving to within 750m of work”
June 8th, 2006 at 12:14 am
I have been in the MPI yesterday till 1.30 in the night, does that count!?
It seems to be normal here, i saw heaps more people than during the day!
June 8th, 2006 at 8:54 am
Kiki that is about the same time as 5:30am here? so that is almost exactly equal
June 9th, 2006 at 8:56 pm
Keep up the good work Tom! Getting up early in the morning is probably one of my least favourite activities but damn does it feel good to conquer your morning self when you manage to drag yourself out of bed earlier than normal. To me, that currently means before 10am. I am jobhunting, so no one is wipping me up and out but myself and my increasing need for cash…
Oh, by the way, did I tell you that I got an A+ for my thesis?! What a f***ing relief that was! Let me tell you Tom, it feels GOOD! And have you noticed how similar the word ‘Distinction’ is to ‘Domination’? They both start with a d and include i’s, t’s, n’s, and even o’s.
June 10th, 2006 at 3:47 am
Work that is soon to be interupted by the World Cup!!! Any chance of the US taking on Australia? That would be rad!!!
June 10th, 2006 at 3:55 pm
Vesli, you rule dude! Mad props to you!
Send me a photo and I’ll add you to the Domination Gallery.