Tick Tock

No, not the website that has you pouring buckets of ice water over your head, but more the unstoppable march of time. This week I am undertaking my first progression review of my doctoral dissertation denoting that I am 1/3d of the way through my PhD.

While in some regards this is excellent as it shows the progression that is being made on a research matter that is important to me and should be to all within the NHS (perhaps I am a little biased), it also reminds me of all the work that I have ahead of me.

The first progression review is akin to reaching Everest base camp. You have done all the research on how you are going to climb the academic mountain; you have planned a route and, hopefully, you have all the right gear. Now it is time to climb! While hoping to not stretch a metaphor too far, the climb will only be possible with the support of two excellent Sherpas who have guided many doctoral candidates in the past.

As with everything in life, if you don’t have excellent mentors that have been there before you, developing and guiding your way through work, university or life can often be daunting and sometimes impossible. So, a huge thank you to all the people who have mentored me in the past – from my college lecturer Stuart Langfield to my doctoral supervisors Sally Brailsford and Martin Kunc, and many many more people.

I am truly aware that I am standing on the shoulders of giants and will endeavor to do justice to the support I have received in the next 2/3rds of the doctoral programme.

Oh and apologies to any of my family and colleagues this week if I am ‘otherwise distracted’!