The PhD Life Coach 4.26 What to do when you don’t have enough time
Feb 23, 2026
They unpack four common, contradictory beliefs that trap academics in inaction around time. Practical alternatives are offered, from short focused slots to rethinking non-negotiables. There are tips on making early-morning writing sustainable and finding hidden time inside work tasks. The episode finishes with a simple, one-week small-plan challenge to test a change.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Use A Shape For Your Week
- Planning a weekly 'shape' gives an intentional starting point instead of a haphazard blank slate.
- Dr Vikki Wright argues a notional weekly template increases the chance your week plays to your strengths and needs.
The Four Beliefs That Trap You
- People often hold four contradictory beliefs that trap them: daytime commitments block writing, evenings are for rest, daytime commitments are non-negotiable, and they must still find time to write.
- Dr Vikki Wright labels this pattern 'trapping yourself in a box' which creates exhaustion and inaction.
Pause And Challenge Your Time Beliefs
- Pause, breathe, and test which of your time beliefs might be less true than you assume.
- Dr Vikki Wright suggests opening to the possibility that contradictory beliefs can't all be true and to look for which can change.