Our virtual 8-week writing retreat

Scholarly Mamas® OPT

A cohort-based, action-focused, and purpose-driven 8-week programme for Scholarly Mamas® who are ready to write the first or next 10,000 words of their PhD thesis!

You know that feeling...

When you sit down at your laptop, ready to write the next page of your PhD thesis, and suddenly everything else seems more important or needs your attention?

The emails need checking, your inbox is overflowing...

That paper needs reading as it's been in your to-be-read pile for months...

The references need updating as you haven't looked at those in weeks...

The kids get sick one after the next and your childcare plans fall flat, which means your PhD thesis writing plans flop too...

Your commitments at work take over with a battery of meetings to attend, tasks to be completed and deadlines to be met...

So another week passes, and your actual PhD thesis remains untouched.

Or maybe you've just returned from maternity leave, feeling the weight of getting back into your research – like a heavy plane trying to take off from rest, carrying precious cargo but needing to build momentum for that takeoff, and knowing you need to reach that critical point of progress.

You're not alone. As a Scholarly Mama®, you're juggling the most demanding roles here: wife/partner, mother, researcher, PhD student, writer and so much more.

But want to know the truth?

mama, Your phd thesis ISN'T GOING TO write itself!

"Implementing 'Operation PhD Thesis (OPT)' not only saved me from quitting my PhD at a critical point in my Scholarly Mama® journey, but allowed me to write and submit my 100k-worded PhD thesis, pass my PhD viva with no corrections and go on to win an Outstanding PhD Thesis award as a wife and Mama of three." - Dr Michelle Gibbs | Mrs Mummy PhD®

What to do when the pressure is on?

Every day that passes is another day closer to your PhD thesis submission deadline. Whether that's in 2025, or beyond – the time to take action is now.

That's why I'm sharing the solution you need (and that helped me) to finally make progress on your PhD thesis this year!

a bunch of flowers sitting on top of an open book

What is Scholarly Mamas® OPT?

Scholarly Mamas® OPT stands for Operation PhD Thesis and was born out of my need for strategic focus back in January 2022, when I returned to work and my PhD after maternity leave.

OPT is an intimate 8-week programme designed specifically for a small group of dedicated Scholarly Mamas® who are ready to:

Write their first (or next) 10,000 words of their PhD thesis
Create sustainable thesis writing habits that work around family life
Finally overcome procrastination and imposter syndrome
Build the momentum they need to carry them through to PhD completion

A laptop computer sitting on top of a wooden desk

Why OPT isn't just another group programme?

Scholarly Mamas® OPT is based on the exact strategy I used to write my award-winning PhD thesis while raising our three boys – implemented just at the point in my PhD journey when I was returning from my second maternity leave and navigating all the challenges that came with that.

Here's the backstory...

By the way, if you would like to hear to me talk about this, check out my recent podcast episode.

So, back in January 2022, I was returning to my PhD after the second maternity leave I took during my PhD to have our third son.

As a new Mama of three, I felt OVERWHELMED at the mere thought of the mountain I needed to climb on return to my PhD... to finish and submit my 100K worded thesis.

You know that feeling when you're on a plane, and it's pushing back from the gate? You are fully aware that this heavy piece of metal needs to build momentum in order to take off into the skies and get you to your destination. That's exactly what returning to your PhD feels like after maternity leave. Writing begins to feel like a hard slog, especially when you're also juggling work, home and family life too!

And even if you're not post-mat leave, writing a PhD thesis can feel like running a marathon you've watched others run but one you didn't train for - you know there is a finish line ahead, but every step you take towards it feels near impossible.

You feel stuck, overwhelmed and tired of making little progress...

You know you desperately need to start building some momentum to get closer and closer to reaching the finish line and submitting your thesis, but you don't want to burn yourself out in the process.

Here's the thing – the good news (well, at least for me it was) is that just like a plane on a runway, once you start to build up that initial momentum, you eventually reach a point of no return: that moment when you either take off or... well, let's just say you don't want to stop halfway down the runway!

Implementing 'Operation PhD Thesis (OPT)' not only saved me from quitting my PhD at a critical point in my Scholarly Mama® journey but allowed me to write and submit my 100k-worded PhD thesis, pass my PhD viva with no corrections and go on to win an Outstanding PhD Thesis award as a wife and Mama of three.

It was a lifeline for me and inside the OPT programme, I'll be sharing all the details!

A black and white photo of a runway at night

What makes Scholarly Mamas® OPT different?

Our unique cohort-based programme will combine coaching, co-working and community to help you get results through:

Small Group Focus: A maximum of 10 spots available for personalised attention
Real-Life Integration: Writing strategies that fit around home and family life
Built-in Flexibility: 8-week structure with 2 buffer weeks to accommodate life's surprises
Proven System: Based on my signature approach that produced an award-winning PhD thesis
Community Support: Connect with other Scholarly Mamas® in your OPT cohort who 'get' your journey and support each other's progress.

What's included in Scholarly Mamas® OPT:

6 Live Scholarly Mamas® OPT Campus Calls
6 Scholarly Mamas® FOCUS Co-working Sessions
2 Self-Directed Buffer Weeks with Support Materials
Weekly Accountability Check-ins
Private Community Space
Comprehensive Worksheets, Planning Tools & Templates
Family Integration Strategies & Signature Frameworks
Discounted Access to our COLLECTIVE after OPT finishes

Is this programme a good fit for you?

Scholarly Mamas® OPT maybe a good fit for you if:

You're a Scholarly Mama® ready to make focussed progress on your PhD thesis
You're tired of procrastination and want structured accountability
You need strategies that work around family life
You're looking for a supportive community of like-minded scholars who are also mothers
You're committed to taking action and making meaningful progress

What Scholarly Mamas® OPT is not!

Scholarly Mamas® OPT is not:

A "get your PhD quick" scheme
A way to avoid doing the hard work
A large, impersonal course
Yet another Facebook group

There are no fancy promises here... the equation is simple: you must be prepared to put in the work to get the results you want. Scholarly Mamas® OPT simply makes that process a little easier and more manageable for you by offering you the tools and space to create the purposeful success you desire and deserve!

Is OPT worth it?

Joining one of our Scholarly Mamas® OPT cohorts is an investment in yourself and your future. This programme will give you the tools to create sustainable progress and get you closer to your PhD thesis goals purposefully.

The return on your investment in this programme is potentially invaluable. Imagine finally getting your first or next 10,000 words written without the procrastination, imposter syndrome, overwhelm and most importantly, sacrificing what matters to achieve it.

It's time to stop making excuses, stop getting caught up in needless distractions, stop sacrificing yourself and your family and get this PhD thesis written with purpose!

Join the waitlist below for Scholarly Mamas® OPT and I'll send you all the details and keep you updated about when enrolment opens!

The harsh reality

Every day you wait is another day your thesis isn't progressing.

Another day closer to your deadline...

Another day of feeling that weight of unfinished work...

The best time to have started is gone, the next best time to start making meaningful progress toward finishing your PhD thesis is now.

Don't let another year pass without making progress on your PhD thesis.

Join Scholarly Mamas® OPT and let's get your first or next 10,000 PhD thesis words written in 8 weeks without sacrificing yourself or your family.

Let's get to work Mama!

These are our journeys of becoming!

Disclaimer: Scholarly Mamas® is not a substitute for mental health support. Please seek assistance from a trained mental health professional who can help you if you are struggling with a mental illness or disorder. Scholarly Mama®, Scholarly Mamas® and Mrs Mummy PhD® are all registered trademarks of Mrs Mummy PhD Ltd and are not affiliated with any healthcare or academic institutions. Our offerings do not guarantee results.

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