6 PhD Habits That Will Save You Years of Struggle (Start Using Today)

PhD Mindsets for Success

Key Concepts: Problem-solving, Ownership, "Yet" mindset, Celebrating small wins, Constant testing, Embracing discomfort.

1. Problem Solver

• Main Point: A PhD student's primary role is to solve problems.
• Specific Details: Instead of stopping at an issue and seeking permission or external help immediately, proactively think about solutions.
• Step-by-Step Process:
  1. Identify the problem.
  2. Develop a potential solution.
  3. Present both the problem and your proposed solution to your supervisor or collaborators.
• Key Argument: Presenting solutions alongside problems streamlines the PhD process and makes you a valuable collaborator.
• Example: Instead of saying "I can't continue because I need to speak to this person," say "I'm facing this problem, and here's a potential solution I've considered."

2. Ownership

• Main Point: Take ownership of your PhD project's direction and progress.
• Specific Details: Don't be overly reliant on your supervisor's micromanagement. It's often better to ask for forgiveness than permission.
• Key Argument: Ownership fosters mental health, agency, and the ability to push through daily activities.
• Notable Quote: "Extreme ownership is something that every PhD student must learn."
• Supporting Evidence: The "saddest PhD students" are those who feel external forces are hindering their progress.
• Actionable Insight: Focus on what you can control to build momentum and complete your PhD.

3. "Yet" Mindset

• Main Point: Transform negative thoughts into opportunities for growth by adding the word "yet."
• Specific Details: Shifts the mindset from "I can't do this" to "I can't do this yet."
• Key Argument: The "yet" mindset lifts expectations and facilitates problem-solving.
• Example: Instead of thinking "This hasn't worked," think "This hasn't worked yet."
• Real-world Application: Applicable both in a PhD and in life.

4. Celebrating Small Wins

• Main Point: Acknowledge and celebrate even the smallest achievements every day.
• Specific Details: Wins can vary from tidying the lab to spending 10 minutes on a graph.
• Key Argument: Small wins contribute to overall progress and maintain momentum.
• Logical Connection: Acknowledges that energy levels and capabilities fluctuate daily, so wins should be adjusted accordingly.
• Actionable Insight: Even on days with low energy, find a small win to celebrate.

5. Constant Tester

• Main Point: Continuously test different approaches and ideas to identify what works best.
• Specific Details: Accept that many tests will fail, but focus on the successes.
• Methodology: Iterative cycle of testing.
• Example: The speaker tested multiple YouTube channels before focusing on the most successful one.
• Real-world Application: Applicable to research, life, and project management.
• Actionable Insight: Communicate your testing process to your supervisor.

6. Embracing Discomfort

• Main Point: Discomfort contains valuable data and insights.
• Specific Details: Instead of avoiding uncomfortable feelings, dissect and analyze them.
• Key Argument: Discomfort can reveal areas where you need to improve or problems with your approach.
• Examples: Imposter syndrome, feeling of failure.
• Actionable Insight: Sit with discomfort to understand the root cause and use that information to move forward.
• Notable Quote: "Sitting in discomfort for longer is truly going to be your superpower."

Synthesis/Conclusion

Developing these six mindsets – being a problem solver, taking ownership, adopting a "yet" mindset, celebrating small wins, constantly testing, and embracing discomfort – can significantly enhance a PhD student's success and well-being. These mindsets are not just applicable to academic pursuits but also provide a valuable framework for navigating challenges and achieving goals in life beyond the PhD. The key is to proactively address problems, take control of your project, maintain a positive outlook, acknowledge progress, experiment with different approaches, and learn from uncomfortable experiences.