The Momentum Monthly December Newsletter

The Momentum Canvas™ Monthly

December 2025 | Holiday Dissertation Survival

December can be a challenging month for dissertation momentum. With holiday commitments, end-of-year deadlines, and winter break disruptions, it's easy for dissertation progress to grind to a halt. But with strategic planning, you can maintain momentum even during this busy season.

Welcome to your Holiday Dissertation Survival Guide.

🔔 Navigating Multiple Demands

For many PhD students, December isn't just about balancing dissertation writing with holiday celebrations. It's a perfect storm of end-of-year deadlines, fellowship applications, teaching responsibilities, and research demands.

During one particularly challenging holiday season in my own dissertation journey, I was juggling a book chapter due right after New Year's, a January fellowship application, a part-time consultancy ramping up in intensity, and the anxiety of waiting for IRB approval to start my data collection.

The key to navigating this multitude of demands? Purpose, commitment, and boundaries. I printed out hard copies of writing I could work on during holiday travel. I snuck in a few early morning research sessions. And crucially, I gave myself permission to disconnect and enjoy family time, trusting that I had laid the groundwork to pick back up in January.

Action Item: List out all your December commitments, both dissertation-related and otherwise. Identify where you can create focused work time and where you may need to let go and trust your preparation.

⛄️ The Holiday Momentum Canvas Method

The Core Principle: Maintaining dissertation momentum during the holidays means strategically using pockets of time for high-impact tasks and giving yourself permission to let go of perfection.

Tasks to Focus on During the Holidays:

Mobile-Friendly Work

Use travel time for tasks that can be done in short bursts or without deep focus
Read printed article drafts and make handwritten edits
Freewrite about conceptual questions in a notebook
Outline upcoming sections using a mind-mapping app

Action Item: Identify 2-3 dissertation tasks you can work on during holiday travel. Print out hard copies or download necessary files before your trip.

Strategic Prioritization

Focus on tasks that keep your dissertation simmering, even if you can't dedicate full days
Identify your top 1-2 priorities for December - perhaps finalizing a chapter draft or preparing for a January milestone
Communicate these priorities to your advisor and accountability partners

Action Item: List out all your December commitments, both dissertation-related and otherwise. Identify your top priorities and share them with your support system.

Intentional Disconnection

Give yourself permission to fully step away from your dissertation during holiday celebrations
Trust that by strategically using your pockets of work time, you've earned the ability to truly disconnect
Embrace rest and rejuvenation as part of your long-term productivity strategy

Action Item: Schedule at least one full day off from dissertation work this December. Communicate this plan to your family and colleagues.

☕️ Permission to Embrace the Ebb and Flow

📊 The Opportunity

The holidays are a natural time for reflection and planning. Embrace this slower pace to connect with your bigger "why" and vision for your dissertation.

🤔 The Strategy

Use pockets of downtime - a cozy morning with coffee, a solo walk in the neighborhood - for informal dissertation reflection

What are you proud of accomplishing this past year?
What are your top goals and priorities for the coming semester?
How can you break those goals down into smaller milestones?

Allow yourself to dream and brainstorm without pressure for immediate action. Often, our best ideas come when we give our minds a bit of breathing room.

Practical Application

Keep a "dissertation reflection" journal over the holiday break. Jot down ideas, questions, and priorities as they arise. You'll return to January with greater clarity and focus.

✓ December Holiday Dissertation Momentum Checklist

Priorities Clarified: Identified top 1-2 dissertation goals for December

Travel Tasks Planned: Listed mobile-friendly work to complete during holiday trips

Rest Days Scheduled: Blocked off time for intentional dissertation disconnection

Baseline Momentum Maintained: Used the 3-Day Rule to avoid full stops

Intentions Reflected: Journaled about dissertation accomplishments and upcoming goals

Support System Engaged: Shared December plan and priorities with key people

🎯 This Month's Focus: Create Your Holiday Dissertation Intention

Your December dissertation mantra has three parts:

I will use pockets of time for strategic, focused work.
I will give myself full permission to disconnect and embrace rest.
I will maintain a baseline of momentum, even if my pace slows.

This Month's Process:

Week 1: Identify your top 1-2 dissertation priorities for December. Share them with your support system ✓
Week 2: Use travel time and pockets of downtime for mobile-friendly tasks. Track your progress ✓
Week 3: Schedule at least one full day off to disconnect and recharge. Communicate this boundary ✓
Week 4: Reflect on your dissertation accomplishments and set intentions for the new year ✓

Remember: You don't have to choose between dissertation progress and holiday joy this December. By focusing on what matters most, using your time strategically, and giving yourself grace, you can maintain momentum without sacrificing celebration. And remember: every small step counts. You've got this."

Visit momentumcanvas.com | Take the Free Diagnostic | Get The Momentum Canvas™ Planner

Progress with purpose, write with confidence.

Mailing Address: [%mailing_address%]
If you no longer wish to receive our emails, click: [%unsubscribe_link%]