I recently read Ali Abdaal’s book on productivity, and his insights really stuck with me. He talks about making work feel easy and enjoyable, which is exactly what I need for my master’s thesis. My biggest challenge? Starting too late and then cramming everything into the last few weeks—which is stressful, exhausting, and affects the quality of my work. This time, I want to take a different approach: starting early, reducing procrastination, and keeping things simple.
1. Time Blocking: Structuring My Thesis Work
Instead of waiting for motivation, I’ll schedule thesis work like an important meeting. My plan:
> Dedicated deep work slots (2-3 focused hours on specific days)
> Mini deadlines before the real deadlines to avoid last-minute stress
Research suggests that structured time blocks improve productivity and prevent burnout (Mancini, 2015). By working on my thesis in small, consistent sessions, I won’t have to lock myself away for weeks at the last minute.
2. The 2-Minute Rule: Sticking to My Time Blocks
One of my favorite techniques from Ali Abdaal is the 2-minute rule, which I’m adapting to 10 minutes. The idea is simple: I commit to sitting down and working on my thesis for just 10 focused minutes. If I still hate it after that, I can walk away guilt-free. But most of the time, getting started is the hardest part—once I begin, I usually keep going. This trick lowers the mental resistance and helps me actually stick to my time blocks instead of avoiding them.
3. Avoiding the Tool Trap: Keeping It Simple
I have a bad habit of spending hours setting up productivity tools, only to never actually use them. So for my thesis, I’m keeping things as simple as possible. I’ll rely on Apple Notes for research, Apple Tasks for to-dos, and Calendar for scheduling. No complicated apps, no overwhelming dashboards—just the basics to stay focused and reduce overstimulation.
4. Making Work Fun: Learning from Ali Abdaal
Ali Abdaal emphasizes the importance of making work enjoyable. Instead of seeing my thesis as a chore, I want to ask myself "What would it look like if it were fun?" :
> Gamification: Setting mini challenges (e.g., “Write 200 words before my coffee gets cold”)
> Environment hacks: Changing locations for a fresh mindset
> Pairing work with fun: Listening to instrumental music or rewarding myself after sessions
5. Progress Over Perfection
I know I won’t be perfect at this, and that’s okay. Some days I’ll procrastinate, but the goal is to keep moving forward, even if it’s just a little bit at a time. By starting early, using simple tools, and making the process more enjoyable, I hope to finish my thesis without last-minute panic.
What’s your best tip for avoiding procrastination? Let’s share strategies!
Want more ideas on how to prep for your thesis?
I've collected a few helpful blog posts from my colleagues - maybe their tips will spark something for you too:
> Johanna Fruth: Mastering Content Operations: The Journey of My Master’s Thesis
> Katja Horvath: Finding Clarity in the Chaos
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