If you recognize yourself on this list, rest assured that you are not alone. Many students take up the shoulds as a way of prodding themselves into action. But only if you recognize that the task is a big and challenging one and that most people have some difficulty tackling it. Getting Something on the Page Otherwise known as writing, a word laden with unfortunate associations. I tell myself I'm just putting down my thoughts.
Many students find that ultimately they use a fraction of the outline in their dissertation.
But whether or not you use the entire outline in your dissertation, an outline provides a map to the body of knowledge you want to communicate. It gives you a handle on the topic and makes it seem manageable. Break your dissertation into pieces and then smaller pieces. Chip off minute sections of your outline to work on. One student advised that you can never break off too small a section.