6 PhD Habits That Will Save You Years of Struggle (Start Using Today)

In this video, I share some of the most important mindset shifts that helped me not just survive my PhD, but actually find momentum and confidence as I went. ▼ ▽ Sign up for my FREE newsletter Join 21,000+ email subscribers receiving the free tools and academic tips directly from me: https://academiainsider.com/newsletter/ ▼ ▽ MY TOP SELLING COURSE ▼ ▽ ▶ Become a Master Academic Writer With AI using my course: https://academy.academiainsider.com/courses/ai-writing-course If you're at the beginning of your research journey, or even halfway through and struggling, this is the kind of PhD advice I wish someone had given me earlier. It’s really a mix of advice to my younger self starting my PhD and the patterns I now see in others who are thriving in academic work. A PhD can feel overwhelming. You’re asked to be independent, creative, resilient—and often without much training in how to do that. That’s why getting the right PhD mindset early on is so critical. It’s not just about skills or productivity hacks. It’s about how you respond to setbacks, how you take ownership of your work, and how you think about daily progress when the finish line is still years away. These aren’t abstract ideas. They’re things I’ve applied myself and watched other students use with great results. From embracing discomfort as feedback, to celebrating small wins each day, to treating the whole process as a series of experiments - these ways of thinking have changed how I work and live. You’ll also hear why “yet” is one of the most powerful words you can use when dealing with doubt, and how shifting your focus from control to testing can help you move forward even when things feel uncertain. The goal isn’t perfection. It’s progress. And the sooner you start building these habits and mental frameworks, the smoother your journey will be. If you’re looking for real, grounded PhD advice that focuses on mindset and study motivation - not just productivity - this video is for you. These mental shifts are simple, but they can transform how you feel about your research, your capabilities, and your future in academia and beyond. ................................................ ▼ ▽ TIMESTAMPS 00:00 Intro 00:20 Being A Problem Solver 01:30 Ownership of your Project 03:11 Adopting the Yet Mindset 04:32 Celebrating Small Wins 06:37 Being a constant Tester 08:22 Discomfort is Feedback 11:05 Outro ................................................ ▼ ▽ Socials for shorts and reels Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drandystapleton/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@drandystapleton