I am seriously struggling with a paper that I wanted to finish very soon. I am flying back home next week and had set as my only "vacation task" to just finish this paper .. 
All the research is done, even written up before, but with no coherent argument.
After a good two weeks of unwinding (and not working on the paper at all), I now get stressed out and find myself like frozen in front of my document for days.
Just now I forced myself to write at least a few minutes and after all, one and a half pages came out. That's good. But somehow I am so uninspired. That annoys me.
How do I get out of this (self-created) situation of pressure?
@natalie @academicchatter @phdlife
I am on the tail end of one of these ruts myself, here are a couple of thoughts to add to what you are doing that have helped me. I suspect you probably know these.
1) carve out consistent time to write daily, even 30 minutes. This helps make a little progress and keep it fresh in your mind.
2) get an accountability/thinking partner one person is great 2 are ok too. Someone who is also working through something similar both for accountability and to have someone bounce ideas off, and an occasional cheerleader. I usually meet with them weekly.
3) small rewards for progress. Create milestones for small celebrations and rewards (I am so not a behaviorist, but these are nice.
4) I try to connect my values to the paper and remind myself how it is contributing to the field, and why it is important to get it out.
Hope that helps, I am going to submit my paper later today 😊
