The other day, a client told me she was “waiting until after the holidays” to get back to her dissertation. I paused briefly.
After the holidays? January, when everyone returns exhausted, broke and facing three months of dark and cold weather? That January…?
Here’s what I’ve learned after coaching hundreds of doctoral students through the holidays: December can be when the dissertation magic happens.
I know what you’re thinking. The holidays can be chaotic: familial obligations, shopping jaunts, travel, work deadlines piling up before the break.
Seriously, how could December possibly be a good time to make dissertation progress?
But here’s the thing: the seasonal urgency of December can create a real sense of motivational energy. When time feels tight, we stop pretending we’ll have “the perfect day” to write. We stop waiting for that perfect eight-hour block. We maximize the 30 minutes between wrapping presents and making dinner.
With many of my clients, I’ve been noticing something rather remarkable. My mid-career students (those hearty souls juggling jobs, teenagers, aging parents) are suddenly getting more done in December than they did in September.
Why? Because they’ve stopped negotiating with themselves. There’s no time for procrastination’s favourite fib: “I’ll do it tomorrow when I have more time.”
The research backs this up as well. Parkinson’s Law tells us that work expands to fill the time available. Conversely, when time shrinks, work becomes much more focused.
So here’s your December assignment:
Release the guilt about not having enough time. Instead, commit to a mere 20 minutes a day. Write before the kids wake up. Outline while the turkey roasts. Edit when the coffee is brewing.
Let’s stop searching for “perfect” writing conditions and instead opt for any conditions. Those little blocks of time are often better. Because they’re real, sustainable and guess what: they’ll actually happen.
This means in January, you’re not starting from scratch again, trying to piece together what you were doing in 2025. You’ll already be warmed up a little.
The dissertation you finish is always better than the perfect one you never start.
I would love to invite you for a personalized CONSULTATION CALL with me to help you map out a plan to get your dissertation done! Contact me!