The dissertation plateau

The dissertation plateau is a term I use to define the experience of knowing that you need to keep working on the dissertation, but not knowing exactly what you should do next. For some people, the plateau represents a brief resting point- a time to look back and reflect in order to gather energy to move ahead again. In a way, it’s like a valley between peaks of focused effort. For others, though, the plateau feels more like being stuck. You might feel uncertain about how to proceed, or you might be unhappy with how the process is going, or you might be dealing with other challenging circumstances which diminish your energy level and focus. If you are experiencing the second type of plateau, it’s important to intervene quickly. Talk to a trusted colleague or mentor, get some extra support, and actively seek out sources of knowledge (and inspiration) to recharge your batteries and help you focus again. A plateau doesn’t become a problem until it’s gone on for longer than it should. If you hit a plateau, be proactive about doing whatever it takes to move ahead again.

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