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THE ALL-BUT-DISSERTATION SURVIVAL GUIDE(tm)
Devoted to practical steps for completing
your doctoral dissertation.
www.ecoach.com
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To subscribe, visit www.ecoach.com
INDEX
1. Ben's Note
2. Train Your Mind to Focus
By Mark Wigginton
3. Words of Wisdom
4. Request for ABDSG Articles
5. Melissa Institute Dissertation Award
6. Graduate Student Resources
SUMMARY
In this issue, Mark Wigginton shares some tips
for helping you focus on dissertation success.
We round it out with Words of Wisdom.
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Ben's Note
January 23, 2003
Dear ABD Survival Guide Reader,
How is 2003 proceeding so far?
By now, I hope you've planned your strategy,
and have started taking action. Along the
way, it's important to stay focused on
the results you expect.
This week's feature article can help.
By focusing the results you want to achieve,
you make it much more likely that you will
be successful.
If you could use some extra support, check out
our Words of Wisdom section.
And keep focused.
See you in two weeks.
Warmly,
Ben
======================================================
Train Your Mind to Focus On Results
By Mark Wigginton
======================================================
"I just don't have time to work on my dissertation."
"See, I told you these things always happen in threes."
"Wow, I never realized how many VW beetles there are on
the road, I see them everywhere!"
What could possibly link these seemingly disparate
statements? They all reflect on the power of your focused
attention.
At the base of our brain stem, in area about the size of
your little finger, is a group of cells tasked with sorting
and evaluating incoming information called the Reticular
Activating System (RAS).
This center of the brain helps us attend and sorts
information. As I write this article, I am returning from
Baltimore and two unusual things have happened in the
sports world this week. First, during a football game
between the Washington Redskins and Philadelphia Eagles,
security was forced to use pepper spray to break up a crowd
disturbance. The spray made its way to the field and
disrupted the game. Then at a Chicago White Sox vs. Kansas
City Royals baseball game, two "fans" rushed the field
assaulting the first-base coach.
As I entered the airport terminal (while using my RAS to
find the nearest Starbucks), I heard several times, "Isn't
that a shame? What will happen next? You know these things
always come in threes".
As lifelong students we are taught to search out
information and in particular to search out the answers to
questions.
"Is it hot or cold outside today?" Will likely send you to
the window, the Weather Channel or the Internet to respond.
The questions you ask will determine how the Reticular
Activating System will respond to your search. If your
advisor asks you a question focused on reasons like, "Why
aren't you making any progress on your task list?" You will
search your memory and find a list of (perhaps valid) reasons
why you aren't moving forward. As you bring the reasons
you can't progress to the forefront of your mind, your RAS
will automatically seek out reinforcement. "I can't make
progress, because of conflicts with my works schedule, my
family responsibilities, etc."
If your advisor asks you a question focused on results
like "What one thing can you do today to move your dissertation
forward?" or "How can you find 30 minutes to work on your
dissertation tomorrow?" Your RAS will lead you toward the
results you are looking to achieve.
Of course, the challenge is keeping your mind focused on
the results you are looking for. As you retrain your mind to
focus on results, it is essential that you move away from
the automatic tendency to look for reasons. This is not
easy.
Utilizing an external resource like a coach can be an
effective way to support you in maintaining your focus on
results. Ask yourself today "What am I willing to do to
focus on the results I desire instead of focusing on the
reasons why I can't achieve those results". And expect the
answer to lead you to the results you are looking for.
=======================================
About Mark Wigginton
Mark Wigginton is a professional coach.
His specialty is helping clients focus on the
results they want to achieve.
Mark can be reached:
By email: markw@focusingonresults.com
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Words of Wisdom from New Ph.D.'s.
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**My advice to other individuals pursuing this
process is that you must stay focused, support your
beliefs, and have a tremendous cheering section behind
you. It helps for the times when you are so exhausted
from studying, writing papers, presenting research,
that you just want to give it all up....
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Request for ABDSG Articles
=======================================
Do you have some knowledge or wisdom about the
dissertation process that you'd like to share?
If so, please consider writing an article for
this newsletter. We are currently accepting
articles about the dissertation
process. If you'd like to submit an article,
or would like more information, please email
rachna@mentorcoach.com with ABDSG submission in
the subject line. Thank you!
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Melissa Institute Dissertation Award
=======================================
The Melissa Institute for Violence Prevention and
Treatment is a non-profit educational, training and
consultative organization that was established to
honor the memory of Melissa Aptman, a Miami native
who was murdered in May 1995. The Melissa Institute
provides scholarship awards to support violence
prevention research.
The Melissa Institute is offering four awards at
$1,500 each. The awards are available to graduate
students from any discipline who address issues of
violence prevention and/or treatment. The award
must be used to support expenses that are directly
related to the dissertation research (e.g.,
subject fees, computer time, equipment). It may not
be used for tuition, personal travel or personal expenses.
Eligibility:
1. Applicants must be students in a bona fide doctoral
dissertation program. Candidates may be from any academic
discipline.
2. Applicants must have their dissertation proposal
approved by their dissertation committee prior to their
application to The Melissa Institute.
To apply:
Applicants must include the following information in
their submission:
1. A two-page cover letter describing in detail the
proposed research project and a brief explanation of proposed
use of funds (e.g., a budget).
2. A curriculum vitae, including any scientific publications and
presentations and a brief description of your career plan.
3. A letter of recommendation from your dissertation advisor.
4. Please submit one copy of your proposal and accompanying
documentation. No electronic submissions accepted.
Application deadline is April 1. Annual selection is in May.
Mail application to:
The Melissa Institute
Attn: Donald Meichenbaum, Ph.D.
6200 SW 73 Street u Miami, Florida 33143
Phone: 786-662-5210 u Fax: 786-662-5211
E-mail: dmeich@watarts.uwaterloo.ca
===============================
Graduate Student Resources
===============================
* The National Association of Graduate-Professional
Students NAGPS is a non-profit organization dedicated to
improving the quality of graduate and professional student
life in the United States of America.
209 Pennsylvania Ave SE
Washington, DC 20003
Tel: (888) 88-NAGPS
Fax: (202) 454-5298
Email: execdir@nagps.org
http://www.nagps.org/
* Association for Support of Graduate Students (ASGS)
P.O. Box 4698
Incline Village, NV 89450-4698
Tel: 775/831-1399
Fax: 775/831-1221
E-mail: asgs@asgs.org
http://www.asgs.org/
* Council of Graduate Schools
One Dupont Circle NW
Suite 430
Washington, D.C. 20036-1173
Tel: (202) 223-3791
Fax: (202) 331-7157
Email: webmaster@cgs.nche.edu
http://www.cgsnet.org/
=============================
BEN J. DEAN, Publisher, ABDSG
===============================
Ben holds a Ph.D. in psychology from the University of
Texas at Austin and is a psychologist in private
practice in Bethesda, Maryland.
In addition to his clinical practice, Ben loves to train
professionals to become virtual coaches. (If you would like
to see Ben's *other* free newsletter, you may subscribe at:
http://www.mentorcoach.com/
Ben lives in suburban Maryland with his wife and two
young children.
==================================
RACHNA D. JAIN, Editor, ABDSG
==================================
I'm a dissertation coach and licensed psychologist
based in Maryland, with a doctorate from the
University of Denver.
I'm the Editor of the ABDSG, as well as the Author of
"Get It Done! A Coach's Guide to Dissertation Success"
If you'd like to learn more about me or my book, please
visit my website: www.ExcelWithEaseCoaching.com
If you have questions about this newsletter, you
can direct them to me: rachna@mentorcoach.com
I'm excited to be working with you to meet your academic
goals. You can do it!
================================================
THE ALL-BUT-DISSERTATION SURVIVAL GUIDE(tm)
================================================
"The All-But-Dissertation Survival Guide"(tm) focuses
on ways to help its readers more readily overcome the
roadblocks that often seem to stand in the way of
completing the dissertation. It is read throughout the
world.
=======================
VIRTUAL ABD ASSISTANCE
=======================
Would you like a "virtual assistant" who did whatever you
needed to help you move forward on your scholarly work or
on other parts of your life. If you'd like to learn more
about how a virtual assistant could help you, contact the two
that Ben works with: Cathy Anway or Sunny Bain. Both are
conscientious, skillful, and extraordinarily competent.
Cathy Anway can be at Cathy@mentorcoach and Sunny Bain can
be reached at sunny@mentorcoach.com
===============================================
INTERESTED IN WORKING WITH A DISSERTATION COACH?
READY TO TAKE THE NEXT STEP?
=================================================
Email ben16-76471@autocontactor.com
You'll receive an email outlining the application process,
follow the instructions and submit the form. Your application
will then be forwarded to potential coaches so that you might
arrange a free, initial consultation.
Various fee plans are available.
ABOUT TO GRADUATE?
=====================
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Second, please send any email to: FreeAtLast@mentorcoach.com
Within seconds, you'll receive a note from Ben.
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CONTACT INFORMATION
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MentorCoach(tm)
Voice: 301-986-5688
Fax: 301-913-9447
Web: www.ecoach.com/
Web: www.mentorcoach.com
(c) Copyright 2002 Ben J. Dean. All rights reserved.
Rachna Jain, Ph.D.
mailto:rachna@mentorcoach.com
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