===================================================
THE ALL-BUT-DISSERTATION SURVIVAL GUIDE(tm)
Devoted to practical steps for completing
your doctoral dissertation.
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INDEX
1. Ben's note
2. From Academic Sprinter to Marathon Winner
By Dr. Jeanette Kreiser
3. Words of Wisdom
4.. Inspirational QuoteSUMMARY
=========
In this issue, Dr. Jeanette Kreiser offers
words of wisdom on completing your dissertation
by staying the course no matter at what speed
you choose to move.We round it out with Words of Wisdom & an
inspirational quote.<>===<>===<>===<>===<>===<>===<>===<>===<>===<>
Ben's Note
July 8, 2004
Dear ABD Survival Guide Reader,
Well, the move to the new email server has
been completed. Thanks for your understanding
and patience. If you received this issue
from someone else and would like your own
subscription, you can sign up by visiting
http://www.abdsurvivalguide.com/subscribe.htmThis issue focuses on tips you can use- right now- to
stay focused on the prize of *this* race- that of
finally finishing and obtaining your Ph.D.Remember, many have run this race before you,
and if they can finish it- so can you.If you could use some extra assistance,
check out our Words of Wisdom section and
our Inspirational Quote.See you in two weeks.
Warmly,
Ben============================================
From Academic Sprinter to Marathon Winner
By Dr. Jeanette Kreiser
============================================From Academic Sprinter to Marathon Winner
Five years ago, I completed the Marine Corps Marathon. It
took me more than 6 hours!But, in the process, I learned an important lesson: You
can meet most life challenges by simply staying the course
and continuing to move, however slowly, toward the goal
you have chosen.That is how I recently lost 50 pounds as well. A
consistent, determined mindset and a realistic plan got me
to a healthy weight. (Now, let's hope that that same
mentality will keep me at my goal!)What does this have to do with the doctoral dissertation?
Most successful studentsup to the point of the doctoral
dissertationhave been academic sprinters. Many of us (I
know that this was true in my case) were whizzes at
hunkering down to prepare for that final exam or at
disciplining ourselves for an all-nighter to complete a
term paper. Your movement through school has been through
a series of clearly delineated semester-long sprints.So, while you have prepared through most of your academic
career to be an academic sprinter, for the dissertation,
you now have to develop the skills and mindset to be an
academic marathoner.Here are some of the principles I discovered in marathon
running that can be applied to the dissertation marathon.* Be determined!
By sticking to your goal, even in the face of frustration
and discouragement, you are demonstrating that you have
that quality. However, you may find that you have some
outspoken "gremlins" within you that weaken your
motivation. Don't try to just ignore them, because they
can still move underground and undermine your efforts.
Identify them and root them out!* Set clear and realistic goals.
In running a marathon for the first time as an
out-of-shape 55 year old, I did not expect to be among
the first to complete the race.The doctoral dissertation represents your first
attempt at extensive, serious scholarly research. If
you continue in academic circles, you will probably
spend considerable time revising it or reworking
parts of it for publication as a journal article or
book.Whoever said that the "best dissertation is a
completed dissertation" was correct! After you
complete your degree, you can rework your
dissertation, having learned from your earlier
problems and having received feedback from faculty,
advisers, and mentors. Overly ambitious goals and
complex topics can result in self-criticism,
discouragement, and, ultimately, failure to complete
the task.* Vary your pace and the length of daily workouts.
You can't run at top speed for extended periods of
time over long distances every day of the week.The same principle applies to writing your
dissertation. Set a reasonable and varied
dissertation pace for yourself. Identify achievable
goals and create a clear and sensible plan. Develop a
writing schedule that allows time for rest and
rejuvenation.* Make the process as enjoyable as possible.
Nothing beats running on a beautiful day and through
scenic surroundings!Likewise, find a pleasant and comfortable environment
in which to write your dissertation. Think about the
positives aspects of the writing process. Note what
you are learning and discovering and share your new
knowledge with interested others.* Involve others.
To prepare for the marathon, I joined
a program that provided a coach and a ready-made
support group. My group and I, runners of similar
abilities and goals, planned to run the race
together. We counted on encouragement from one
another when motivation flagged or when facing
physical obstacles. We also provided healthy
competition for one another and realistic standards
to measure ourselves against.I completed my doctoral dissertation because I found
a dissertation partner in a friend who started the
doctoral program with me, MaryAnna. She and I
envisioned the joint party that we were going to give
when we graduated This clear goal and our semi-
formal partnership keep me going in the final,
intense phase of dissertation writing. And,
perhaps best of all, in partnering with MaryAnna, I
made a close, lifetime friend as well.Find one or more people at a similar dissertation
stage as you are and arrange for regular
communications about your successes and difficulties.* Develop a conducive social environment.
Marathon runners found the encouragement of family,
friends, and even strangers, who cheered us along the
route invaluable in keeping us going to the finish
line.Let family and friends encourage you as you move
along the dissertation path. Tell them of your plans
and goals and of how they can help you achieve them.
Share your successes and turn to this support when
you are having difficulties.* Be sure to take potty breaks! Hydrate, hydrate,
hydrate!I put these two "rules of the road" together, because
for the marathon writer the implication is clear: Be
sure to take care of your basic needs for good
nutrition and good healthmental and physical. Take
care of yourself when you hurt, but then get back to
running/training/writing as soon as possible.REMEMBER! If you consistently put one foot in front of the
other for 26.6 miles you will eventually complete the race!The same is true for your dissertation. As long as you
continue to move forwardeven at a very slow paceyou will
be successful in the end.=======================================
About Dr. Jeanette Kreiser
=======================================As an administrator and faculty member, Jeanette has worked
to promote student success for more than 20 years at
institutions such as the University of Maryland, Johns
Hopkins University, and American University.She has personally experienced the difficulties of
completing a dissertation while managing a growing family
and fulfilling job responsibilities, and, in that
process, developed considerable expertise in combating
procrastination and lifting flagging motivation levels.Jeanette is a licensed psychologist and counselor, and
has completed additional training in coaching techniques.She can be reached
By email: positivepassages@earthlink.net
By phone: 301-907-0760.=====================================
Words of Wisdom
====================================
I wish I would have known how un-nurturing the dissertation
process is before I started it. Writing a dissertation is a
lonely process, a maze through which one travels relatively
alone. Supports are essential, and need to be present in many
different aspects of one's life. The ABD student needs supports
in their disseertation committee advisor and committee members,
but also needs support and endurance in their family and friends,
their employers, employees, and colleagues, and others.
These individuals need to be behind the ABD student such that
they can to "make room" for the ABD student to feel a host of
emotions, to alter schedules, to "make allowances" for the ABD
student's pursuit of scholarly goals.My advice to students in the early stages is to surround yourself
with people who can support you sacrifically and eliminate people
who cannot support you from (at least) the immediate future of your
life.=======================================
Inspirational Quote
=======================================The secret of success is constancy of purpose.
- Benjamin Disraeli===================
Your Own Coach
===================If you are considering whether to get your own coach
to help you reach your academic goals, send any email
to: ben16-76471@autocontactor.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 <http://www.mentorcoach.com/>), a virtual
university training
Accomplished mental health professionals to become
extraordinary coaches. Ben lives in suburban Maryland with
his wife and two young children, Walnut, their
hamster, and Rubin, their cocker spaniel.==================================
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:
www.ExcelWithEaseCoaching.com
< http://www.excelwitheasecoaching.com/>If you have
questions about this newsletter, you
can direct them to me: rachna@mentorcoach.comI'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.===============================================
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,
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=====================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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< http://www.abdsurvivalguide.com/>Web: www.mentorcoach.com<http://www.mentorcoach.com/>(c) Copyright 2004 Ben J. Dean. All rights
reserved.
Rachna Jain, Ph.D.
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