Dealing with the Cycle of Unproductivity
(posted on behalf of @Asif Kanan)
The life of a Ph.D. student is often described as a marathon of intellectual challenges, self-discovery, and persistence. With long to-do lists, summer research papers, comprehensive exams, proposal defenses, job market applications, dissertations, and countless other demands, it can feel like every mountain climbed reveals another looming ahead. While the purpose and drive to accomplish these tasks may be strong, maintaining motivation throughout this arduous journey can be incredibly challenging. There are days—sometimes weeks—when getting out of bed feels impossible, and productivity seems like a distant dream.
This experience is not uncommon. The flexibility of an academic career, while liberating, often lacks the external structures that impose routine in other professions. Consequently, dull, unproductive days are a natural part of the Ph.D. process, where stakes are high, yet productivity ebbs and flows. When faced with severe productivity blocks, it’s essential to approach the situation with strategies that nurture your well-being and help you move forward. In these situations, it is important to consider the following:
1. Be Kind to Yourself
It is said that the quality of life depends on our conversation with ourselves. Hence, while we converse with ourselves and determine the quality of our life in a bad productivity phase, being kind to yourself cannot be overstated: the importance of self-compassion in your Ph.D. journey is immense. Too often, we are our harshest critics, allowing guilt to creep in during moments of relaxation or periods of low productivity. Ironically, this “stress caused by relaxation”—sometimes called “stress-laxing”—only exacerbates the problem.
In such days, it is important that instead of succumbing to guilt, we remind ourselves that unproductive days are not only normal but necessary. Creativity and innovation thrive when we allow ourselves time to rest and recharge. Many groundbreaking ideas emerge during so-called “unproductive” periods, a phenomenon often referred to as “Eureka” moments or idea incubation. Your subconscious mind continues to process and solve problems while you relax, making downtime an essential component of academic success.
So, when those low-productivity days strike, choose kindness over criticism. Trust that your capacity to bounce back is stronger than you think. Recognize that taking care of your mental and emotional health is just as important as meeting deadlines. Your peace of mind and overall well-being are crucial for sustaining long-term success.
2. Listen to Your Mind, Body, Heart, and Spirit
When productivity stalls, it can be a signal from your mind, body, heart, or spirit that something else needs attention. It’s a reminder that your Ph.D.—or any career for that matter—is only a part of your life, not its entirety. High-pressure periods are often followed by a need for rest and reflection, as sustained productivity without renewal can lead to burnout.
Consider the story of the farmer and the goose that laid golden eggs. The farmer’s impatience led him to kill the goose in hopes of retrieving all the golden eggs at once, only to find none. The moral of the story is clear: to maintain productivity (the golden eggs), you must care for your well-being (the goose). Ignoring self-care or overworking can both lead to long-term stagnation.
To sustain your ability to produce meaningful work, listen to what your mind and body are telling you. Take time to reflect, relax, and let the cumulative efforts of your hard work sink in. Balance is key—too much rest or too much work can both be counterproductive. Prioritize self-care as an integral part of your academic routine.
3. Action Doesn’t Always Require Motivation—Sometimes It Works the Other Way Around
When motivation is at an all-time low, it’s easy to fall into a cycle of procrastination. You know what needs to be done, but the drive to start is nowhere in sight. In these moments, waiting for motivation to strike can be a trap. Instead, flip the equation: action can create motivation.
Start small. Taking even a single step toward your goal—whether it’s writing one sentence, organizing your notes, or opening your laptop—can generate momentum. Often, the hardest part is simply starting. Once you begin, you’ll find that progress fuels motivation, and the cycle of unproductivity is broken.
This principle of reverse causality is powerful: Rather than waiting for motivation to kick in action, we can initiate action for motivation to follow. The key is to focus on that first step, no matter how small or insignificant it may seem. Trust in your ability to find flow once the ball is rolling.
In sum, unproductive days are a part of a career, so for a Ph.D., however, these days can prolong as a result of flexibility offered by an academic career. During such phase, it is profound that we remain kind to ourselves and remember that it is OK to sometimes lack productivity. We cannot be at our best all the times. It is also important to realize the value of these unproductive days as a means of rest, reflection, and creativity. Furthermore, it is important to break this cycle of unproductive by initiating action to gain motivation, rather than waiting for motivation to initiate action.
Hi StudENTs,
I am Kanan Asif, a Ph.D. Candidate at the University of Massachusetts Lowell and I write and share my reflections about life of Ph.D. students as a Ph.D. representative of ENT Division. I also wrote some reflections about job market which might resonate with you. Thank you for reading this piece. Please feel free to share your feedback in comments or at kanan_asif@student.uml.edu.