The author narrates their challenging experience as a PhD student facing funding cuts and the arduous struggle of managing multiple jobs to survive. Initially, they perceived their circumstances as normal, but soon realized the toll it had on their mental health, leading to thoughts of quitting. Their turning point came from Annie Duke's book, which encouraged them to focus on decision-making rather than outcomes, ultimately redefining what success meant for them beyond simply finishing the PhD.
"Instead of trying to predict whether staying or leaving would work out better, I needed to focus on making the best possible decision with the information I had..."
"This was not normal. It was highly irregular and professionally questionable... I was 4,000 miles away from home, with my immigration status hanging entirely on my student visa in Australia..."
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