The Power of Risk-Taking
By Lisa Collazo, LCSW
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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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INDEX
1. Ben's Note
2. The Power of Risk-Taking
By Lisa Collazo, LCSW
3. Words of Wisdom
4. Inspirational QuoteSUMMARY
In this issue, Lisa Collazo, LCSW shares
some ideas for moving past fear
and immobilization during the
writing process.We round it out with Words of Wisdom and an
inspirational quote.
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Ben's NoteDecember 11, 2003
Dear ABD Survival Guide Reader,
The end of the year is commonly considered a
time to take stock of your past achievements
and to set some goals for the next year.
Since our next issue will arrive near the
end of this month, when some of you will
be celebrating the Hanukkah, Christmas,
and Kwanzaa holidays (and maybe others),
I wanted to take a few minutes to offer some
tips for your year-end review and planning for
next year.One of the biggest suggestions I can offer
is to let go of any past "failures" and
move forward unencumbered by them. No
doubt some situations didn't go as planned-
and no doubt some went better than planned.
Part of being successful is the capacity to
let go of the past and move confidently into
the future. Authentically.This week's feature article will help-
Lisa Collazo, LCSW, shares some ideas for
taking risks in your writing and moving
past writing paralysis.Finally, we offer Words of Wisdom, and
a new Inspirational Quote.Enjoy, and see you in two weeks.
Warmly,
Ben=====================================
The Power of Risk Taking
By: Lisa Collazo, LCSW
=====================================There is no doubt about it; risk taking is scary.
How is it that some people seem to effortlessly move
through life energized by its challenges while
facing their fears head-on? Why do many of us
feel immobilized by our fears or find ourselves
struggling to forge a path out of that comfortable,
safe place that keeps us stagnant?It may not have to do so much with how motivated
we are, although that does factor in, but may be
more in line with how we perceive ourselves. My
own experience with risk taking depends on my
previous successes- both personal and professional.
If I believe that I have made a difference in my
own life or the lives of others, I am energized
to go the extra mile and seek out more challenging
ways to reach my potential.Here are some tips on how you can do this:
1. Brainstorm some times that risk taking worked
for you.
2. Reflect on how you have made a difference in the
lives of others.
3. Focus on your values and do at least one thing a
day that honors your values.
4. Visualize yourself as the writer you long to be.
What do you most admire about yourself? What risks
are you taking in your writing?
5. Rather than focusing on what you haven't done, focus on
what you have accomplished. What are your strengths?
What unique gifts and talents can you bring to the world
through your writing?One useful tool is to start a dialogue with yourself that
begins with the words: "What I know about myself is....."Here is my own example of this:
What I know about myself is that I have a talent for listening
to what each individual writer can bring to the readers or
audience whom they want to attract. I have a gift for
getting writers in touch with their values and challenging
them to take action towards their goals. I try not to focus
on my weaknesses or the areas about which I have little
knowledge. This only brings me to a place of fear and
immobilization.7 Important Risk Taking Questions to Ask Yourself:
1. What does risk taking mean to you?
2. When you take a risk, do you notice a difference in how you
feel?
3. How does it influence your writing?
4. Does it motivate and sustain you?
5. Do you feel as though you have the courage to conquer
anything at that moment?
6. How can you move out of your comfort zone into a place of
challenge and possibility?
7. What allows you to free yourself enough to take risks with
your writing?Remember, each and every writer has experienced personal
and professional rejection. Let those experiences make you
stronger not weaker. Reclaim your power and take a risk today!=======================================
About Lisa Collazo, LCSW
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Lisa Collazo is a licensed clinical social worker and personal
and professional coach who specializes in working with what Julia
Cameron describes as "blocked creatives" in her book The Artist's Way.
Lisa's clinical skills and her passion for the arts has led her to
develop a career as a writer's coach. She helps writers and dissertationstudents manage their fears so that they can write authentically about
what they know.Lisa can be reached:
By email: LCollazoSW@aol.com
By phone: 512-445-7498
On the web: www.writewhatyouknow.com
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Words of Wisdom from New Ph.D.'s.
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**Establish a relationship with an advisor that is not
likely to retire or leave the university during
your dissertation process. Hire someone to assist with
statistical work early in the process. Be very clear about
the steps used in analyses.=======================================
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"If you are going through hell, keep going."
~~Sir Winston Churchill===================
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
===============================
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)
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" The All-But-Dissertation Survival Guide"(tm) focuses
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