Chapter 7: Being a Productive PhD Student (While Cursing Scientific Management, the “Spirit of Capitalism,” and My Addiction to Realism)

I definitely don’t have the time to be writing this chapter. I should be focused on finishing that one last course paper, so I can prepare for comprehensive exams (in only … 40 days … eek!). I should be doing a lot of other things. I have a long list. But I can’t resist reading and thinking about personal productivity. Before starting my PhD, I’d refined my own habits and systems for “getting things done” (Allen, 2003), and proselytized in the many “Time and Project Management” workshops I delivered across Canada. I’d also written half a book about managing oneself. I tried to be honest about my mere-mortal status: I missed the flight for my first time management workshop, and have led with that story ever since! But I was also missing a deeper irony: this is how I like to procrastinate.