Fall in love with your PhD again2025-08-10T22:23:11+00:00

Focus, Follow Through and Fall Back in Love with Your PhD Again!

A 12-week 1:1 personalised productivity & enjoyment coaching experience with a former Academic & certified Coach to help you build better habits, feel less overwhelmed and feel proud of your work again.

This is for you if

💔 You’ve lost motivation and dragging yourself to your laptop feels like a daily slog
đŸ˜”â€đŸ’« You’re putting in the hours but not seeing meaningful progress
😔 You miss feeling proud of yourself and your work
đŸ€ You’re overwhelmed and craving structure, support, and a way to enjoy the journey again

From Stuck & Stressed To Productive & Progressing

👋Hi, I’m Dr Neil, and I’ve worked with hundreds of smart, driven students like you as a coach and former Psychology Lecturer. Most students will submit and pass their PhD. But how you get there? That determines how you feel about yourself, your work, and your future.

đŸ˜© You can either crawl to the finish line—burned out, carrying the weight of guilt, shame, and self-doubt, stuck in last-minute scrambles and quietly wondering if you’re failing…

😁 Or you can stride across it—energised, confident, and proud of the work you’ve done, knowing you stayed consistent, took action, and showed up for yourself.

A Coaching System That Builds Progress & Pride

You’re not lazy or undisciplined. You’re doing a PhD. An intense, often isolating journey that demands deep thinking, constant learning, complex writing, and motivated self-direction over a long stretch of time.

And you’re juggling teaching, research, emails, admin—and the rest of your actual life. Sometimes with support from your supervisor and sometimes (let’s be honest) they’re more of a hindrance than a help!

It’s no wonder you’re struggling. It’s completely normal. You’re not the problem—the system is just really, really hard.

I’ve seen time and time again that with the right structure and support, anyone can be more productive, feel more in control, and actually enjoy their PhD again.

That’s why I use a simple, proven rhythm to help you stay focused and make real progress—week by week. And each month, we go deeper to address the underlying challenges behind stress, stuckness, and overwhelm.

Here’s exactly how we do it:

The Focus, Follow Through & Fall in Love with your PhD Method at a Glance…

Focus Follow Through & Fall In Love with your PHD

Here’s how it works in practice. We start off with the weekly planning…

Weekly Productivity Support System: We’ll meet for 30 mins of supported short, sharp planning every week to improve your productivity, working habits & build consistency. This is perfect for you if:

  • You write endless to-do lists, but they’re not aligned with your calendar so things still get missed or put off (especially the stuff that matters most).

  • You know what your priorities should be, but keep getting distracted by other tasks that feel urgent.

  • You find yourself rewriting the same actions each week—constantly putting off the harder stuff until it’s panic time.

  • You’re stuck in overwhelm and decision loops starting the day unsure what to focus on, so you default to easier tasks.

  • You’ve tried every planner, app, or system under the sun but none of them stick.

  • You start the week with good intentions
 but end it wondering where your time went.

If all of this feels familiar, then this 30-minute weekly rhythm is your anchor helping you focus,  follow through, and feel proud of your progress. Every session will cover these three things:

1. Prioritise

Together we’ll decide what matters most each week so your energy goes where it counts.

2. Plan

I’ll help you to break your goals into clear, manageable action plans aligned with your upcoming schedule for the week.

3. Review

I’ll support you to learn from your experiences, adjust plans as necessary and celebrate the wins with you too so you stay on track and feel proud.

Monthly Emotional Support Deep Dives – We’ll meet for 60 mins every month to reflect and reconnect to your motivation & enjoyment again. This is perfect for you if:

  • You’re staying busy, but feeling more disconnected from your work than ever.

  • You’ve started wondering what the point is and that question’s getting louder.

  • You dread supervision meetings and often leave them feeling worse, not better.

  • You keep telling yourself you’ll rest or take a break after the next deadline but that never comes.

  • You’re doing the work, but it’s starting to feel heavy, joyless, or like it’s taking over your life.

  • You want space to talk honestly about what’s going on—without judgment or having to “have it together.”

If this hits home, then these 60 minute monthly deep dives will each focus on one of three core pillars of the PhD experience:

4. Supervisor & Relationships

We’ll discuss how to handle any tricky supervision dynamics and strengthen the support around you so you’re not doing this alone.

5. Meaning & Purpose

I’ll help you to reconnect with your passion and why your work matters so it feels meaningful, not just something to get through.

6. Wellbeing & Balance

We’ll work on protecting your time, energy, and headspace outside of work so your PhD doesn’t take over your whole life.

Your Quiet Accountability Partner In Your Pocket – Get daily WhatsApp support between sessions with quick, compassionate check-ins to help you stay focused, follow through, & feel less alone. It’s perfect for you if:

  • You often start the day unsure where to begin because you’ve got so many things to do and so you can end up avoiding the hard stuff.

  • You work better when someone’s gently checking in or cheering you on.

  • You find it hard to bounce back and you lose momentum when things don’t go to plan.

  • You find it hard to celebrate your progress or even notice it happened, you’re so busy thinking about what you still have to do.

  • You don’t need more advice you just need someone to help you keep going.

  • You’re great at supporting others but don’t give yourself the same care and encouragement.

If this sounds like you, then these daily check-ins are the quiet accountability that helps you show up and keep consistent even when you don’t feel like it.

7. Daily Accountability Check-Ins

You can message me when you’re stuck, celebrate when something finally clicks, or just get a quick nudge when motivation disappears. And I’ll check in with you regularly to keep you gently accountable, even on the days you’d rather avoid it all.

Real Students, Real Results – See Their Transformation!

More Client Success Stories

Before working with Neil, I was stuck in cycles of overthinking—struggling to make decisions quickly and feeling like my productivity was slipping. PhD-related problems would spiral in my mind, making it hard to focus or move forward effectively.

Through coaching, Neil provided a calm and friendly space to talk through my challenges. His attentive listening and thoughtful questions helped me gain clarity on decision-making and time management. I started using practical strategies like the ‘done list’ and weekly reviews, which have transformed how I structure my time and stay on track. One of the biggest shifts was realizing the importance of setting aside time for non-work activities, which has made a huge difference in maintaining balance.

I highly recommend Neil’s coaching—it wasn’t just about productivity, but about reshaping how I approach my work and life.

Sam, Psychology PhD Student

Working with Neil at The One Life School over the past month has been a game-changer for both my PhD and personal goals. His coaching style is the perfect balance of friendly, inquisitive, supportive, and challenging—exactly what I needed.

I’ve had weekly Accountability Coaching sessions, which have been a massive help in breaking big, overwhelming goals into smaller, achievable steps—especially with my PhD work. I used to get stuck overthinking and trying to tackle everything at once, which only led to frustration. But with The One Life School, I’ve learned how to make steady progress each week without feeling overwhelmed.

What I didn’t expect—but absolutely loved—was how Neil challenged me to prioritise life outside of work too. Because let’s be honest, life isn’t just about productivity! Making space for ‘humaning’ has been a powerful takeaway, and I’m so glad he emphasised that.

If you’ve got a goal you’re struggling to reach (who doesn’t?), I can’t recommend The One Life School enough. Thank you Neil!

Andrea, Sociophonetics PhD Student

Your 12 Week Coaching Experience: Here’s What You’ll Get

What’s Included Value
1 x Kick off strategy and planning session (60 mins) ÂŁ100
12 x Weekly 1:1 coaching sessions (30 mins each) ÂŁ600
3 x Monthly deep-dives (60 mins each) ÂŁ300
WhatsApp support between sessions ÂŁ100+
Personalised action tracker ÂŁ50
Peace of mind, motivation & confidence again Honestly? Priceless
Total Value ÂŁ1150+
Your Investment Only ÂŁ525! (or ÂŁ499 if you pay in full)

That’s 10 hours of focused, 1:1 support PLUS daily check-ins to help you stay consistent, stay on track, and keep going when it counts.

At just £42/week, it’s cheaper than a weekend out or a few takeaways
 but with results that shift how you work, feel, and show up—long after the coaching ends.

This isn’t just about getting things done now. It’s about building habits you can actually stick to, even when you’re on your own.

Ready To Feel Proud Of Your Progress Again?

If a part of you is whispering, “I can’t keep doing it like this
” and another part is still hoping it could feel better—then this 12-week productivity and enjoyment coaching experience is your next step.

I know money can feel tight, especially when you’re in the middle of a long academic journey.
But the cost of staying stuck, overwhelmed, and doing it all alone can be far higher.
(And I’m not even talking about the cost of actual therapy… or wine-as-therapy.)

I’m talking about the real toll:
On your motivation.
On your confidence.
On how you feel about yourself, every single day.

This isn’t just about productivity—it’s about wellbeing, self-belief, and finally feeling good about the way you work and you don’t have to carry it all by yourself.

Your Coaching Experience

12 Weeks of Personalised 1:1 Support – £499
✅ Includes 10 hours of focused coaching
✅ Daily WhatsApp support (Mon-Fri)
✅ Personalised action tracker
✅ Weekly planning + monthly deep dives
✅ And a clear, proven system to help you feel better, work better, and actually enjoy your progress

Payment Options

🎁1. Pay in Full: £499
(Best value plus bonus included)

Pay in Full BONUS!!

Get 3x FREE Power Hour sessions (worth ÂŁ125)
We meet on Zoom, you bring the task/s you’ve been avoiding, and I stay on the call while you finally get it done. Think of it as co-working with a coach in your corner. Perfect for that chapter you keep avoiding, the email you’ve rewritten ten times, or anything else that’s been stuck on your list for weeks.

💳2. Payment Plan: 3x £175/month
(Total = ÂŁ525)

Spread the cost over 3 months and still get full access to the 12-week experience. (Bonus not included with payment plan.)

You’ll Walk Away With

✅ A weekly rhythm to help you stay grounded and focused
✅ Gentle accountability that keeps you going when it counts
✅ Support that reconnects you to your motivation and meaning
✅ A structure you can trust even when things feel hard
✅ Confidence, clarity, and a renewed sense of pride in your work

Still Not Sure?

You don’t have to decide everything today.

That’s why I offer a FREE 60-minute trial session so you can experience what this support feels like before you commit.

No pressure. No hard sell. Just a chance to see what it’s like to feel supported, focused, and finally making real progress again.

Click the link below to book a time in my calendar and let’s take one hour together to breathe, regroup, and move forward. You deserve to feel good about the work you’re doing and this could be the start of getting that back.

Let Me Show You What Is Possible

Neil - The One Life School

👋 Hi! I’m Dr. Neil McLatchie—a certified coach, former Psychology University Lecturer. I’ve over 11 years of experience teaching, supervising and coaching undergrads and PhD students and here’s what I’ve learned:

🎯 Your academic journey doesn’t have to feel like a constant struggle. With the right support, you can stay on top of your work without sacrificing your sanity or the things you enjoy.
✹ Success isn’t just about meeting deadlines or getting good grades. It’s about building the confidence, skills, and habits that will set you up for the long term—both in and out of academia.
🌟 Small wins create big change. Tackling procrastination, staying consistent, and celebrating progress (even the small stuff) can transform how you feel about your studies—and yourself.

My approach? I bring structure, accountability, and a bit of humour to help you stay on track. Through personalised plans and regular check-ins, we’ll tackle the tasks that feel impossible, create space for what excites you, and turn “I’ll do it later” into “I’ve got this.”

Is 1:1 Accountability Coaching Right For You? – FAQs

1. Will you tell me what to do?

My approach to accountability coaching is about empowering you to take control of your academic journey. While I may suggest strategies—like breaking big projects into manageable steps or organising your workload—my focus is on helping you find systems that work for you. Together, we’ll tackle challenges, build momentum, and boost your confidence in managing your studies effectively.

2. Is this service suitable for all uni students, including those with ADHD?

Absolutely! Whether you’re an undergrad trying to juggle assignments or a PhD student managing research and deadlines, this service is tailored to meet you where you are. My coaching is also ADHD-friendly, using clear structures, regular check-ins, and systems that are easy to follow. I adapt my approach to suit your unique needs, whether you’re struggling with daily tasks, long-term projects, or both.

3. What is the action tracker?

The action tracker is a shared tool designed to keep you organized and on track. It’s usually a Google Sheet where we’ll log your tasks, track progress, and review your wins. It’s flexible enough to fit into your existing workflow while adding extra accountability and structure to help you stay focused.

4. What about the free trial sessions?

I offer a free trial because I believe in showing, not just telling, how impactful coaching can be. Here’s how it works:

  • First Free Session (60–75 minutes): We’ll dive into your specific challenges, set goals, and create a personalized plan to help you move forward.
  • Free Review Session (30 minutes): A follow-up session to review your progress, troubleshoot roadblocks, and celebrate your wins.

At the end of the review session, you’ll have the option to continue with sessions on a weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly basis—no pressure, no strings. Just real value to help you decide if coaching is the right fit for you.

5. Are there flexible payment plans?

Yes! I understand that student budgets can be tight, so I offer flexible payment plans to suit your needs. Whether you prefer to pay monthly, or in one go, we’ll find a plan that works for you without adding financial stress.

6. How will the sessions take place?
All sessions are held online via Zoom for your convenience. This means you can join from anywhere—whether you’re on campus, at home, or in the library. I’ll work with you to schedule sessions at times that fit your schedule, ensuring you get the support you need without disrupting your routine.

7. What about WhatsApp support?
As part of my coaching program, I offer WhatsApp support to help you stay on track between sessions. You can reach out with questions, updates, or for extra motivation as you work through your tasks. I aim to reply within 24 hours during weekdays, giving you the guidance and accountability you need when it matters most.

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