Sacrifices and contracting

Let me set the scene: with a sense of achievement, success, and pride at the end of your master’s academic year, and with rejuvenated energy and passion, you plan your timeline for the year ahead. You are motivated, confident, and enthusiastic to get going. But the thesis component of your degree is looming.

It is possible that at some stage panic sets in. It may dawn on you that you have signed up for a commitment that, apart from being extremely demanding on you, also has repercussions for your family, work, hobbies, and friends and probably requires sacrifices that you have not considered.

At this stage, you could regress into either a frantic or depressive state, which may cause a needless delay to your submission and ultimately your graduation date. The consequence of this exposes you to an unnecessary and extended period of unwarranted stress. Before this happens, contemplate the following:

Contract with yourself and make the sacrifices

What are your important values and what will you do to achieve and protect them? If graduating, in your chosen field, is one of your top priority values, you will pull out all the stops for this achievement. I understand that finding the right balance is difficult, but you need to find the way it’s going to work for you. When the going gets tough, it’s important to reconnect with your highest values and make sure your degree still fits into this category.

The time required to do the work will NOT just fit in, SO what are you willing to sacrifice? Contract with yourself about the sacrifices you are and are not willing to make during your thesis programme and list them. Golfing Wednesday afternoons with long evenings at the 19th hole or Thursday night book club with wine snacks or Sunday picnics with the kids: what are you willing to give up? Think about this.

Identify all the support systems in your life and list them, physically write them down. For example, family, employer, clients, friends, associates, networking circles, social clubs, sporting associations, and any others you may have. Communicate with each one of them, either verbally or in writing about your intentions for the year ahead. In other words, specify your unavailability (be explicit), the significance of this work for you, the support you require (be explicit), and the impact this will have on them until a specified date in the future. It is important to impress on your stakeholders that this is not forever, it has an end date.

Secure the necessary help

Appoint and contract with an accredited language and technical editor, preferably one that has been recommended by your institution. You may also consider transcribing and graphic design services to outsource unnecessary stress. Perhaps communicate with a mentor or coach about assistance, guidance, and an accountability partner through the process. Researching and contracting these services early on will save you energy and distress later when the finish line is in sight.

Identify challenges

Identify any potential obstacles that could strain your progress: for example, finances, employment opportunities, and psychological constraints such as procrastination, perfectionism, fear of failure, addictions, and others. These must be acknowledged honestly and listed because they represent a level of personal awareness, which can be unpacked and managed as they surface.

Assess your technical ability and knowledge

Identify the level of computing skill you require to create your research report: your level of competency to generate an automated table of contents; the software required to draw diagrams and/or process charts to provide a conceptualization of your findings; in what language will you standardize, UK or US English? Learn how to check spelling and grammar, how to use Thesaurus, and how to find synonyms and acronyms. Create time to master the art of referencing by using digital platforms, and ensure you have secure backups. Contract with all these services, create appointments, and block the time necessary to learn and use these services effectively.

Excerpt from Master your thesis: Proven strategies and methods: It's time to get your life back!

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