How Long It Takes To Read

I took some notes as I worked today. Here's a peak into what took place -- straight out of my MacBook stickies.

So here I am, with some caffeine in my system. Note taking should not last more than 15 minutes. Then, reading the rest of the chapter (15 pages) should take 15 * 5 min = 1 hr 15 minutes. That should take me to 4pm. After that, take a 10 minute break, and take notes for the rest of the chapter -- no more than 20 minutes. That should take me to 4:30pm.

PLAN
2:30-2:45 Note take
2:45-4:00 Finish chapter 1
4:00-4:10 Break
4:10-4:30 Note take
After that, decide on what to do from 4:30 to 6pm.

ACTUAL
2:30-3:05 Note taking
3:05-3:20 Break
3:20-3:55 Read pp. 31-36
3:55-4:00 Break
4:00-5:30 Read pp.36-45 (finished ch 1), with breaks to make phone calls.

I used 3 hours to take notes of 5 pages, read 15 pages, and I still have to make notes on those 15 pages read, which I am now anticipating will take 1 1/2 hours! Granted it is a topic that I am not used to reading and I did lack some sleep last night, but this actually represents one of my BETTER days! How scary is that?

So my QUESTION to myself today is: How in the world are you going to get your dissertation proposal done in the next TWO weeks?

ANSWER: ...