There is a story I like about a Zen master who is approached by a student. The student asks, "How long each day do I have to meditate to achieve enlightenment?"
Without missing a beat, the Zen master says, "An hour a day."
The student immediately responds, "I don't have that much time each day."
The Zen master then responds, "Then meditate for two hours a day."
Academic work is like this. You definitely have to make sacrifices along the way, but do not sacrifice everything. Make time for family and friends, hobbies, and breaks. Yes, you will have to miss some things to do this program, but you have to do more than work and school to make it through in a healthy way.
Of course, if you take too many vacations or go to every event you're invited to, you will struggle to finish the work. This is especially true when you get to the point of proposing, writing, and defending your dissertation. Choose wisely.
(And if you figure out how to do that well and consistently, let me know. I'm still working on it!)
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