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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. Inevitable Ambivalence by
Mary McKinney, Ph.D.
3. Words of Wisdom
4. Inspirational QuoteSUMMARY
In this issue, Mary McKinney, Ph.D. helps you
identify and overcome the inevitable ambivalence
of moving ahead on your dissertation.We round it out with Words of Wisdom and an
inspirational quote.
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Ben's NoteSeptember 18, 2003
Dear ABD Survival Guide Reader,
Have you ever had the experience of really wanting
something- like to finish your dissertation, and,
in some ways, dreading what reaching the goal would
mean?We probably all have had these feelings of
ambivalence, and in this issue, Dr. Mary
McKinney shares some strategies for overcoming
your inevitable ambivalence so you can keep
moving forward to meet your goals.We continue with Words of Wisdom, and
Inspirational Quotes- thanks for sending
quotes and wisdom in- keep the submissions
coming.Enjoy, and see you in two weeks.
Warmly,
Ben============================================
Inevitable Ambivalence
By Mary McKinney, Ph.D.
============================================You can't wait to get done. Right?
It will be glorious to have the dissertation complete,
get those three letters after your name, no longer be
so poor, be free of your advisor's whims and feel
fully adult.Yes, it will be great to finish.
But why are you still finding it so difficult to sit down
and work? Are you fully conscious of your conflicts and
anxieties about completing your degree?No matter how eager you feel to finish,
ambivalence is inevitable.Here are some of the concerns about graduating that I
have heard over the years:I'll have to leave my friends.
It will be hard to find a job.
I'll have to start paying off my student loans.
My dissertation may not be brilliant.
I'll miss this town.
There are limited job opportunities in my field.
My partner won't find work in the same place.
It will be even more work to be a professor.
People will expect me to be an expert.
I'll have to move somewhere I don't like.
Some of my friends will be jealous of my success.
My work may not be good enough to publish.
I'll have to decide whether to stay in academia.
My life will be less flexible and independent.
It will be hard to make such a big transition.If any of these statements resonate, then you will
understand how ambivalence could subtly undermine your
motivation and lead to procrastination.However, there is no need get sidetracked by conflicts.
Tackle your fears about finishing in several ways.
First, become aware of the anxiety, acknowledge the
validity of your concerns and accept all the feelings that
come up. Then, remind yourself of all the great reasons
for completing your dissertation, and GET BACK TO WORK.Here are a eight concrete ways of dealing with ambivalence:
1) Keep a journal where you record your emotions and fears.
This will help you become aware of the range and complexity
of your feelings about the degree.2) Make a list of all the pros and cons of finishing: you'll
find that the benefits far outweigh your concerns. Dispute
any irrational fears about finishing.3) Create a master list of the great reasons for getting done
and post it prominently near your workspace.4) Remind yourself that completing the degree doesn't
automatically mean that you have to stay in academia.
You will continue to have career choices.5) Visualize yourself in a wonderful job in a great part of
the country and hold on to that mental image of success.
Practice seeing your goal vividly in your imagination on a
regular basis.6) Talk with your friends or a support group about
ambivalence. Realize that your anxieties are normal.7) Work with a professional coach to help you understand
and overcome your conflicts.8) Plan huge treats and festivities to celebrate finishing.
Fight your inevitable ambivalence and get done quickly.
You can do it!=======================================
About Mary McKinney, Ph.D.
=======================================
Mary McKinney, Ph.D. is a psychologist, psychotherapist,
adjunct professor and coach. For more than a decade she
has helped grad students get their degrees, post-docs
land great jobs and junior faculty get tenure. At the
University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill, she teaches
"Written Communication" and "Grad School Survival Skills".For a printer-friendly version of this article, and for
information about Dr. McKinney's tele-workshops and free
newsletter, you may visit her web site at
http://www.successfulacademic.com.She can be reached
By email: mckinney@successfulacademic.com.
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Words of Wisdom from New Ph.D.'s.
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**I know it's a cliche, but... "Don't stop
believing!!!!!" The name of the game
is "Persistence, patience, determination"
even "politics, diplomacy" not "Big
bang discovery" or "Brilliance".=======================================
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"Don't think you can, KNOW you can"
This is from Wayne Dyer--
and what Lawrence Fishburne said to Keanu Reeves
in The Matrix)===================
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
=============================
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.
==================================
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.
=======================
VIRTUAL ABD ASSISTANCE
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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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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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