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THE ALL-BUT-DISSERTATION SURVIVAL GUIDE(tm)
Devoted to practical steps for completing your
doctoral dissertation.
http://www.abdsurvivalguide.com
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http://www.abdsurvivalguide.com/INDEX
1. Ben's note--SRO Writer's Block Workshop at UMCP
2. From ABD to Ph.D.: A 7 Day Action Plan to Help
Combat Procrastination & Get Back on Track
by Barbara Feuer, Ph.D.
3. Inspired to Write? Contribute to the ABDSG
4. Request for Dissertation Friendly Resources
5. Words of Wisdom
6. Inspirational QuoteSUMMARY
=========In this issue, Barbara Feuer covers a topic we all
> need to hear about - procrastination. She shares
> a prescription developed for a workshop that helped
> attendees break through their blocks and move forward.> If you know of dissertation friendly resources or if
> you're inspired to write, consider contributing to the
> ABDSG.
>
> We round out this issue with Words of Wisdom & an
> inspirational quote.
>
> <>===<>===<>===<>===<>===<>
>
> Ben's Note
>
> January 27, 2005
>
> Dear ABD Survival Guide Reader,
>
> Have you ever suffered from writer's block or
> procrastination?
>
A rhetorical question. I know the answer is
probably "Yes!"> Well yesterday I led a 2.5 hour workshop
> on "Strategies for Overcoming Writer's Block"
> for 250 graduate students and faculty at
> the University of Maryland at College Park.
>
> The workshop was sponsored by Dr. Johnetta
> Davis, the Associate Dean of Graduate Studies
> and a trailblazer in developing innovative
> programs for graduate students.
>
> The University of Maryland may be best known
> for its 2003 NCAA Basketball Championship,
> but it is also home to many of the nation's
> most selective graduate programs. The students
> are talented, dedicated, and often overstressed.
>
> It was a pleasure to lead this workshop for them.
> If you are interested, I could potentially lead
> a free, virtual workshop for ABDSG readers
> on either overcoming writer's block or
> procrastination at some point in the future.
>
> Warmly,
> Ben
>
> P.S. If you are a reader of the ABDSG and a
> professional or academic interested in
> adding a coaching practice to your primary
> specialty, we have an eight month MentorCoach
> Training Program by teleconference that will
> be held on Fridays at 12:00 Eastern (NY Time)
> starting 1/28/05. For information,
> visit www.mentorcoach.com
>
> =================================================
> From ABD to Ph.D.: A 7 Day Action Plan to Help
> Combat Procrastination & Get Back on Track
> By Barbara Feuer, Ph.D.
> =================================================
>
> Three years ago, I led a 6 week teleclass with 26
> terrific ABDs. The class was called "From ABD to
> Ph.D.: Conquering Procrastination and Getting On With
> Your Life," and during our weekly sessions, I
> presented an action plan I use to help clients who are
> stuck get un-stuck. The feedback from the group was
> overwhelmingly positive. Many said it was just what
> they needed to move from total inertia and paralysis
> to taking action. I share this "prescription" in the
> hopes it can do the same for you. It's not rocket
> science - just a simple formula that, if followed, can
> make a difference.
>
> Day 1: MAKE IT MEANINGFUL. Write down all the
> dissertation-related tasks you've been avoiding. List
> the benefits of completing each task. Look at each
> task and relate it to your goal. Be specific about
the payoffs and rewards of finishing each task.
>
> Day 2: TAKE IT APART (look at the small picture
> instead of the big one for a change!) As I often
> reminded the group: it's essential not to get ahead of
> yourself. Break down all steps into smaller, bite-
> size, measurable (i.e., you can see the fruits of your
> labor when you're done), manageable, realistic parts.
> Start with 15 minute segments--or 30, 45 or 60
> minutes. Experiment and see what works best for you.
> It doesn't matter how long it takes--what matters is
> that you do it! Doing it propels you forward towards
> the next task.
>
>
> Day 3: WRITE INTENTION STATEMENTS. An intention
> statement relates specifically to the task(s) you
> defined on Day 1. Write it on a 3x5 card or a post-it
> and carry it with you. Stick a copy in your office, on
> the bathroom mirror, on the dashboard in your car--
> wherever it'll help as a reminder. Let it hold you
> accountable!
>
>
> Day 4: TELL EVERYONE! Take a deep breath and let it
> out! Don't keep it a secret any longer by announcing
> your intentions publicly. Telling the world is a
> powerful motivational technique if you use it wisely.
> Make your world your support group.
>
>
> Many of my ABD clients use spouses, partners,
> colleagues, friends, exercise partners and family
> members as "structures" to hold them accountable. And
> they do.
>
>
> Day 5: REWARD YOURSELF. As obvious as this one seems,
> many ABDs overlook acknowledging their own successes.
> When you've completed steps 1-4, do something to make
> yourself feel really good. Make your reward something
> you usually don't give yourself, though you'd like to.
> For example, don't pick going to the movies, if you
> plan to go anyway, and conversely, don't leave this
> step out. When you legitimately reward yourself for a
> job well done, notice how you feel.
>
>
> Day 6: DO IT NOW, NOT A LITTLE LATER! The instant you
> notice you're procrastinating--don't think about it--
> just plunge into the task. It's time for an attitude
> adjustment. Don't think about it another second. Just
> take the proverbial leap of faith and start doing
> something from your action plan and move forward. If
> 10's the best you can do, and you feel you're at-2,
> then moving from-2 to-1 is progress!
>
>
> Day 7: LET GO. (clear out the clutter) Separate the
> chaff from the grain. When you find yourself
> constantly pushing a task into the low-priority
> category, reexamine the purpose of doing it at all.
> If you realize you really don't intend to do
> something, QUIT TELLING YOURSELF YOU WILL! Let it go--
> then you're not procrastinating, and you don't have to
> carry around the baggage of an undone task and can
> focus your energy on what you really do have to do.
>
> =================================================
> About Barbara Feuer, Ph.D.
> =================================================
>
> Barbara's the owner of The Catalyst Group, LLC, a
> training & life coaching business in Bethesda, MD.
> Having been an ABD herself, Barbara loves helping
> her ABD clients become Ph.D.s. When they're 100%
> committed to doing what it takes to "get it done"
> --all have succeeded. Barbara believes her success
> is her unwavering commitment to helping her clients
> close the gap between where they are--and where they
> want to be--in their lives. You can contact her
> at: www.lifecoachdoc.com, or by phone at: 301-469-8389.
>
>
>
> =================================================
> Inspired to Write? Contribute to the ABDSG
> =================================================
>
> We'd like to issue an open invitation for all recent
> Ph.D.'s, faculty advisors, university professors,
> consultants, graduate students and writing coaches to
> share your personal insights and wisdom regarding the
> dissertation process. If you'd like to write for the
> ABDSG, please contact rachna@mentorcoach.com to request
> our guidelines and list of possible topics. You can
> also view our archives at http://www.abdsurvivalguide.com
> to see what we've recently published and/or to get some
> ideas.
>
> We look forward to broadening our knowledge base
> through your participation.
>
> When you share what you know, we all benefit.
>
> Thanks in advance-Ben & the ABDSG staff
>
> =================================================
> Request for Dissertation Friendly Resources
> =================================================
>
> In our ongoing efforts to make the ABDSG even more
> useful for you, our readers, we're in the process of compiling
> dissertation helpful resources in all categories. Do
> you have editors, statistics consultants, software,
> books, or other resources that you're using and are finding
> valuable? If so, can you please share this information with
> Rachna (rachna@mentorcoach.com), and she'll put together a
> compilation of resources, posted on our website, so
> you can find everything you might need - all in one place.
>
> Again, please send any relevant and helpful resources
> to rachna@mentorcoach.com and please put ABDSG Resource
> in the subject line.
>
> Thanks in advance for your help.
>
> =================================================
> Words of Wisdom
>
> =================================================
>
> Be flexible, expect the unexpected, and go with the
> flow as much as possible. Of course this is easier
> said than done, but important to remember along the
> way.
>
> =================================================
> Inspirational Quote
> =================================================
>
> "During a very busy life I have often been asked,
> 'How did you manage to do it all?' The answer is
> very simple. It is because I did everything promptly."
>
> ~~ Richard Tangye ~
>
> =================================================
> Your Own Coach
> =================================================
> If you are considering whether to get your own coach
> to help you reach your academic goals, send any
> email to:bonus@mentorcoach.com
>
> =================================================
> BEN DEAN, Publisher, ABDSG
> =================================================
>
> Ben holds a Ph.D. in psychology from the University
> of Texas at Austin. He is the founder of MentorCoach
> (www.MentorCoach.com) a virtual university training
> accomplished mental health professionals to become
> extraordinary coaches.
>
> He is also founder of eCoach (www.ecoach.com) which
> helps interdisciplinary professionals become coaches.
>
> Ben lives in suburban Maryland with his wife and two
> young children, and Walnut, their hamster.
>
> =================================================
> 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" and "Get it Done Faster: Secrets of
> Dissertation Success". If you'd like to learn more about
> me or my books, please visit my website:
> http://www.ExcelWithEaseCoaching.com
> <http://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.
>
> =================================================
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> READY TO TAKE THE NEXT STEP?
> =================================================
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> Various fee plans are available.
> =================================================
> ABOUT TO GRADUATE?
> =================================================
>
> First, congratulations!!!! Yeaaaaaa!!!! Second,
> please send any email to: FreeAtLast@mentorcoach.com
> Within seconds, you'll receive a note from Ben.
>
> =================================================
> A FAVOR
> =================================================
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> =================================================
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Web: www.mentorcoach.com(c)Copyright 2005 Ben J. Dean.
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