A practical and supportive session designed to help researchers manage procrastination, improve focus and make sustainable progress through the challenges of research life.

Who it's for

This session is designed for researchers who want to improve their focus, productivity and motivation in ways that feel realistic and sustainable.

It is particularly relevant for:

PhD researchers navigating uncertainty and long timelines
Researchers feeling stuck, overwhelmed or unmotivated
Anyone struggling with procrastination, perfectionism or inconsistent progress
Researchers who want practical tools to manage their workload more effectively

The problem it solves

Research often requires people to work independently, manage unclear expectations and stay motivated through long periods of uncertainty. Without structure or support, many researchers find themselves overwhelmed, distracted, procrastinating or constantly feeling behind.

Productivity in research is rarely just about time management. It is often affected by mental energy, perfectionism, stress, unclear priorities and pressure to always be working. Many researchers respond by trying to push harder, but this can lead to burnout, guilt and reduced focus rather than meaningful progress.

What participants will gain

By the end of the session, participants will begin to:

Understand what productivity and self-leadership really mean in research
Recognise common causes of procrastination and loss of focus
Learn practical tools to build momentum and reduce overwhelm
Improve their ability to prioritise and protect focused work time
Develop more sustainable habits around motivation, energy and progress
Leave with realistic strategies they can apply immediately

What we cover

This session combines practical productivity tools with reflection and self-leadership approaches, including:

Understanding procrastination and productivity in research
Defining self-leadership and sustainable progress
Breaking large tasks into manageable actions
Prioritisation and focus techniques
Mental and physical energy management
Reframing productivity away from perfectionism
Building momentum through small, consistent action
Recognising and celebrating progress

Participants are encouraged to reflect on what already supports them, what drains their focus and what small changes could make progress feel easier and more manageable.

How it works

This session takes a practical and reflective approach, focusing on real-life application rather than theory. It is interactive but low-pressure, creating a supportive environment where participants can reflect, share ideas and experiment with practical tools in a way that suits them. The emphasis is on small, achievable actions that can help researchers build momentum and develop a healthier, more sustainable relationship with their work.

Format

90-minute or 2-hour session
Delivered online via Zoom
Suitable for cohorts, doctoral training programmes or research teams
Adaptable for different career stages and disciplines

This session works well alongside

What you'll leave with

A clearer sense of what productivity and self-leadership really mean in research
Practical tools to recognise and interrupt procrastination
Ways to protect focused work time and prioritise what matters most
Habits that manage your mental and physical energy, not just your hours
A kinder, more sustainable relationship with progress and perfectionism
Small, realistic actions you can apply the next day

Frequently asked

Who is this workshop for?: It is designed for PhD researchers and early career researchers who want to improve their focus, productivity and motivation in ways that feel realistic. It is especially relevant if you feel stuck, overwhelmed or are wrestling with procrastination and perfectionism.
How long is the session?: 90 minutes to 2 hours, depending on what works for your group.
Is it delivered online or in person?: Online via Zoom, with in-person delivery available on request.
How many people can take part?: I usually run it for groups of 6 or more, and it works comfortably with larger cohorts and whole doctoral training programmes.
Is this just about time management?: No. Productivity in research is rarely only about time. We look at energy, perfectionism, unclear priorities and the pressure to always be working, because those are what really get in the way of focus.

The Focused Researcher