For PhDs & Master's Students
A focus timer for the long thesis slog
A thesis takes months of self-directed work with no boss and no deadline pressure until it's too late. The chess-clock is your honest mirror: it shows you, every single day, whether you actually wrote or whether you just sat near the document.
The two-block thesis day
Don't try to do everything every day. Split the work cleanly:
- Block 1 — drafting (morning, 90 min): No research, no reading. New words only. If you need a citation, leave a [TODO] and move on.
- Block 2 — reading or editing (afternoon, 90 min): Sources, notes, revision, footnotes. Different cognitive mode, separate block.
FAQ
How do I focus on writing my thesis?
Stop counting hours. Count focused minutes. A two-hour thesis session at 80% focus moves the document; a four-hour session at 40% just makes you tired. The chess-clock makes the difference visible.
How many hours a day should I work on my dissertation?
Three to four hours of genuine deep work per day is sustainable and elite. Anyone claiming more either has a unique brain or is fooling themselves about what counts as work.
Why can't I focus on my dissertation?
Usually it's one of three things: the next step is too big to start, the chapter outline is unclear, or you're conflating 'thinking about the thesis' with 'writing it.' The chess-clock forces an answer — either the focus side is running, or it isn't.
Best routine for finishing a PhD thesis?
Morning: 90 minutes pure writing (drafting only, no research). Afternoon: 90 minutes reading/notes/editing. That's two clean blocks. Run them on the chess-clock and aim for 80%+ rate.