By way of Lisbeth, Research Management Summary

How not to get a PhD
There are 7 common ways of not getting a PhD:

not wanting one;
overestimating what is required;
underestimating what is required;
having a supervisor who does not know what is required;
losing contact with your supervisor;
not having a 'thesis' (ie. position, argument) to maintain; and
taking a new job before completing.

Make sure that the implications of these traps are fully understood.
Re-establish your determination regularly when blandishments to stray from your programme of work occur.

Why does this sound so frighteningly familiar?