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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. Ready, Set, Write by Jerri Shankler
3. Words of Wisdom
4. Inspirational QuoteSUMMARY
In this issue, Jerri Shankler offers a 5 step
plan for helping you complete your dissertation
and cross the finish line.We round it out with Words of Wisdom and an
inspirational quote.
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Ben's NoteOctober 2, 2003
Dear ABD Survival Guide Reader,
Is it just me or does time seem to be speeding up?
It feels like it wasn't too long ago that the
days were warm and we were celebrating summer. Now,
already, we're in the beginning of October. Here
on the East Coast, Fall has definitely...well..
fallen. The days are getting shorter and the nights
are getting cooler.Perfect dissertating weather?
If you could use some help getting into the swing
of the season and with your dissertation, this
issue will help. Jerri Shankler offers a 5 step
plan for a more pain free dissertation process.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=====================================
READY....SET....WRITE!
How to finish your dissertation
in 5 easy stepsBy Jerri Shankler, LCSW
=====================================You've been in school for what seems
like forever. You've take all your
courses. You've passed all of your
exams. You are almost done. There's
just one more step....
Welcome to that granddaddy of all papers,**Your Dissertation**
It can be agony to get there, but it's
the ecstacy of being there that makes
it all worth it. To that end, here are
five easy steps to complete your dissertation:1. Develop A Clear Vision
A clear vision is knowing what you are
going to do, how to get there, and what your
end product looks like. Research tells us
that the clearer the vision, the more likely
it is that long term goals get accomplished.2. Know How To Deal With Procrastination
Taming the procrastination monster takes finesse.
Know that you aren't alone. Most of us
procrastinate when we anticipate a task to be
difficult. Learning how to get started, and
hang in there when you'd prefer to be doing
something else is key.Here's one idea: try the one-two-three
method. Work for one minute, rest for one minute.
Work for two minutes, rest for two minutes.
Continue this simple method, and by the time
you get to five, you'll find you are on your way!3. Learn How to Manage Time
For many of us, it seems that time manages us.
We run from one urgent thing to another, one
crisis to the next. We're exhausted, overwhelmed,
and it seems like there just isn't enough time
to do what has to be done, let alone what we want
to get done. When you make peace with time, it
will seem as though you have more of it.Here are two ways to make peace with time:
Prioritize. Ask yourself honestly what is
most important now? What can wait,
and how long can it wait? Get some help with
this, it helps to bounce it off someone.Mindfulness. Stay in the moment. It's easy
to start obsessing about what else has to
be done. If you stay focused on the present
you will make better use of it, and it will
seem like you have more time.4. Create Momentum
You have your clear vision, the procrastination
monster is at bay and you have made peace
with time. It's been uphill until now. Here are
three more ways to build up the momentum,
and keep it going on that last exciting
downhill ride to the finish line:Momentum is energy, so ask yourself
what energizes you? Identify your energy
source and plug into it!Momentum is forward movement, so you
need to create a vision of yourself
moving forward. Harness the power of
language: Remove "try" from your
action vocabulary and use do and doing
and soon, you'll be done!Momentum is action. Commit to the action
of writing every day. Schedule time
every day, starting with 1/2 hour a day,
EVERY DAY and stick to it. You'll find
you have focus and that you can avoid
distractions!5. Get Support and Feedback
Many people say that getting support and
feedback was the essential element that helped
them successfully keep a clear vision, tame the
procrastination monster, make peace with time
and keep the momentum going.Here are 4 great ways to build a support network
and get positive, honest and helpful feedback.Use your dissertation committee. They are here to
help you.Self-help books are a great resource
for tips. Use a book or two as a
reference for tips and inspirations
when you get stuck, but be careful not to
make gathering tips a project in itself.Join a support group. Virtual groups
that meet on the telephone
conference call are convenient and
easy to get to. It's a great way to stay
connected, especially if you are not close
to campus. There is less interruption of
your schedule and time, since you call in
from the comfort of our own organized workspace.Get a coach (telephone or in person). Professional
athletes have a coach, why don't you?Professional help can motivate you, help you stay
organized, and keep your momentum going and cheer
you on.Start using these tips today! You'll feel great
when you move into action! Find a coach. Join a
support group. Learn to avoid the pitfalls. Move
forward. It is through action that you will be able to
feel the breeze blowing through your hair
as you whiz across the dissertation finish line!=======================================
About Jerri Shankler, LCSW
=======================================
Jerri Shankler, LCSW, CADC is an experienced coach,
Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Certified
Alcohol and Drug Counselor with a successful
coaching and psychotherapy practice in New Jersey.
Her passion is helping people weave successful lives
by accomplishing their personal and professional
goals with ease and enthusiasm.She can be reached:
By email: j.shankler@verizon.net
======================================
Words of Wisdom from New Ph.D.'s.
=======================================
**Look at the literature review as a series
of research papers. We've all prepared
research papers with great success and relatively
low frustration, yet we tend to look at the
dissertation literature review as something
completely different--a single, large, and
complicated document. Transitions, if needed,
can always be developed later to connect the
individual sections.=======================================
Inspirational Quote
=======================================
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"You can never solve a problem on the level on
which it was created."
~~Albert Einstein, physicist, Nobel laureate (1879-1955)===================
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), 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!
================================================
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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ABOUT TO GRADUATE?
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(c) Copyright 2003 Ben J. Dean. All rights reserved.
Rachna Jain, Ph.D.
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