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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. Your Personal Success Plan by Maret McCoy
3. Words of Wisdom
4. Inspirational QuoteSUMMARY
In this issue, Maret McCoy shares some ideas for
creating a personal success memo that will help
you get back on track with your dissertation.We round it out with Words of Wisdom and an
inspirational quote.
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Ben's NoteAugust 7, 2003
Dear ABD Survival Guide Reader,
Welcome to our latest issue, and welcome to the
new subscribers who've joined us in the past
few weeks- we're glad to have you here.One of the biggest hurdles in completing the
dissertation can be found in learning to create
a customized success plan that works- for you.
You might have tried many strategies until you
settled on a combination that is most effective
for your life. In case you haven't found the
right mix of strategies- yet- or in case it's
time to revisit your strategies, Maret McCoy
offers some suggestions for crafting your own
personal success plan.Remember, information and techniques are only
helpful if you use them.We offer Words of Wisdom and also
introduce a new feature- Inspirational
Quotes- and invite you to submit your
favorites to rachna@mentorcoach.com-
who knows? A great quote might be just
the thing to help motivate and inspire
yourself- and your colleagues.Enjoy, and see you in two weeks.
Warmly,
Ben============================================
Your Personal Success Formula
by Maret McCoy, Professional Coach
============================================Have you ever made great progress with your
dissertation but then found yourself losing
focus and getting side-tracked? Do you ever
achieve significant gains but then get
distracted and "fall off the wagon," so to
speak? As we all know, everyday life can
get in the way of reaching our most important
goals. This is especially so with a large,
long-term project such as a doctoral
dissertation.My clients often ask me how to get back in
the groove when they've veered off course.
They often say things such as: "I was doing
so well. How can I get back on track and
recoup all the advancements I've made?"
A technique I recommend is writing a
customized success memo.Your success memo outlines the key elements
that exist when you are at the top of your
game. It lays down the breadcrumbs that lead
you back to a place where you have a winning
state of mind and can refocus on your most
important work. Your memo provides you with
your personal success formula: step-by-step
instructions on how to get back on course,
consolidate your gains and move up to the
next level.For example, you may notice that certain days
or weeks you are particularly productive. You
get a lot of work done and feel strong and
energized. During periods like these, take
the time to identify what is causing you to
be so energetic and productive.For example, it may be a confluence of the
following circumstances:- you have gotten the right amount of sleep
for the past week
- you have been eating well, fueling your body
with healthy foods
- at the end of each work day, you create a plan
of action for the next day, so each morning
you launch directly into the next important task
- you avoid watching TV because it is an energy
drain for youThis is just one example. Now, it is your turn to
identify the essential elements of your own personalized
success formula. Create a list and use it to write
your own success memo. This week, schedule a small
block of time in your calendar to get started. Once
you've completed your memo, keep it close by as a
guide to operating at your personal best.Here's to your success!
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About Maret McCoy
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Maret has helped many ABD's and other
professionals realize their goals and get the most
out of their career and personal lives.
Maret can be reached:By Email: Maret@MaretMcCoy.com
By Phone: 703.567.8922.
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Words of Wisdom from New Ph.D.'s.
=======================================**The best secret is YOU CAN DO IT.
Don't give the negative thoughts any time
to sink in, just keep moving forward.=======================================
Inspirational Quote
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Several recent graduates have suggested that
we offer an inspirational quote or two to
further motivate and support you. If you
have any quotes that you find really helpful,
please send them to rachna@mentorcoach.com"When there is no wind, row."
--Portuguese Proverb"Success is almost totally dependent upon
drive and persistence."~~Dennis Waitley
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Your Own Coach
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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
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BEN DEAN, Publisher, ABDSG
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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. With
Martin E. P. Seligman, Ph.D., Ben is also the founder of
Authentic Happiness Coaching
(www.AuthenticHappinessCoaching.com), a virtual
university training educators, consultants, trainers,
therapists, parents and other professionals to apply
the principles of Authentic Happiness in their own
lives and in the lives of their clients, students, and
children. Ben lives in suburban Maryland with
his wife and two young children, Walnut, their
hamster, and Rubin, their cocker spaniel.
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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!
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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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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?
=====================
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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There are more than a million graduate students in the US alone.
Although we have subscribers worldwide, we have barely scratched
the surface. If you find this newsletter helpful, forward it
with your endorsement to your friends, ABD list servers,
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ARCHIVE
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CONTACT INFORMATION
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Ben J. Dean, Ph.D
MentorCoach(tm)
Voice: 301-986-5688
Fax: 301-913-9447
Web: www.ecoach.com/
Web: www.mentorcoach.com
(c) Copyright 2003 Ben J. Dean. All rights reserved.
Rachna Jain, Ph.D.
mailto:rachna@mentorcoach.com
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