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THE ALL-BUT-DISSERTATION SURVIVAL GUIDE™ The All-But-Dissertation Survival Guide™ 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. Want to become a coach?New MentorCoach Training Programs launching. Subscribe to our other no-cost ezines: Visit Ben Dean's Live Coaching Workshops in Dallas, Austin, St Louis & Detroit. INTERESTED IN WORKING WITH A DISSERTATION
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INSIDE THIS ISSUE - May 28, 2009
1. An (Extended) Note From the Editor, Tracy Steen, Ph.D.
Having Second Thoughts? Read this if you are entertaining second thoughts
about a traditional academic career path….
3. 14 Free Telephone Groups for ABD Survival Guide Readers
Choose among relevant workshop topics such as overcoming perfectionism; setting
effective goals; maintaining momentum; and finding flow and pleasure in writing.
All workshops are free, but class sizes are limited.
May 28, 2009
A Note from the Editor
Tracy Steen, Ph.D.
Having Second Thoughts?
Second
guessing. Second thoughts. We all have them about one thing or another, and
why wouldn't we? Life is full of uncertainties. We have to make choices as
we go along, and then we wonder if we made the right ones.
Although we're vulnerable to doubts at times, it's not necessarily a bad thing. The classic example for second thoughts is the prospective bride (or groom) who calls off the wedding after the invitations have been sent. Who's to say whether the decision to cancel is for better or for worse (to use the line usually reserved for the ceremony)? The only certainty is that the course of two lifetimes is changed forever by second thoughts.
Most second guessing is far less dramatic. We question the mundane decisions in life, like whether we should have blown the budget on a plasma TV, or whether we should have checked our bag on a cross-country flight (from my experience, second guess no on that one!).
That's just small stuff, but sometimes we have recurrent second thoughts that make us uneasy because they concern major decisions about matters that we thought were firmly settled. We might even begin to wonder about the career path we have chosen. We're just not certain…just wondering….
It wouldn't be unusual. It especially wouldn't be unusual for an ABD in the middle of a dissertation. You may begin to wonder, "What have I gotten myself into? Do I really want this?"
It's a good question, but a good answer may be nearly impossible in the immediate situation. After all, you're asking a tired grad student (is that redundant?) and sound decisions are best made when your body and mind are fresh. If it's 3 a.m. and you are on your third rewrite and it just isn't working, that's not a good time to decide whether you want to continue with the scholarly life.
It's also unwise to base your decision on your attitude toward a single project. Your dissertation work may have become particularly onerous to you if it relates to someone else's research in which you have no intrinsic interest. Or you may simply be tired of (you might prefer "sick to death of") the topic you chose so long ago. Is it research and writing that are wearing you down, or weariness with the current topic?
A successful career in academe involves teaching, research and writing, and you are now experiencing the advantage of trying out, well in advance, the demands of that lifestyle. You need to know as early as possible whether you would be happy in academia.
If you are second guessing your career choice because you have found that you are consistently unhappy when engaged in research and writing, you may be on to something. Perhaps as an undergrad you were somewhat like the aforementioned prospective bride or groom--the one in love who became disenchanted--only you were enamored of academia, and now you must decide whether you, too, have become disenchanted.
If you thought that life within the academy would be an ideal fit and now you are beginning to think otherwise, you may be experiencing the kind of second thoughts that could change your life--and perhaps in a very positive direction. You don't want to drift into a career simply because it's a track on which you are already traveling; you want to make a carefully considered choice about what best suits you and your strengths and interests.
There are many ways outside the academy to use your Ph.D.--marketing, technology, government, entrepreneurial ventures, publishing--the list is endless. The skills acquired in earning a Ph.D. are valued in numerous fields, so your doctoral goal can remain the same while the career possibilities beyond it broaden as you look outside academe.
With nothing to fear in simply thinking about these possibilities, you can afford to indulge in a round or two of second guessing. Galileo called doubt "the father of invention," and you would indeed be free to reinvent yourself should second thoughts lead you to modify your career goals. There is something exhilarating about charting a new course! However, consider a couple of caveats:
First, take time to consider in great detail what you enjoy doing (and what you don't enjoy doing) and how you want to live your life. Consider anything that is important to you--e.g., location, commute time, opportunity for advancement, pay, avoidance of routine, reward for innovation, interaction with peers--you get the idea. Since you won't know what type of job might await you outside the academy, direct comparisons aren't possible, but try to envision the possibilities.
A second caveat, and an important one, is simply to resist outside pressures and decide for yourself what you will do with your life. Sounds obvious, doesn't it? It should go without saying that the ultimate decision is your own, yet you may feel resistance from family, peers, and mentors if you decide to revise a longstanding career plan. Doubtless these counselors mean well, but only you can know and decide what is right for you. If the pressure gets to you, keep in mind that it is you, not they, who will be living the life you chart.
The right work, and the right work environment, will enable you to exercise your strengths and find the satisfaction that can make working an enjoyable and rewarding experience. That's what you are seeking, and it's worth taking a second look--or even a third or fourth--until you find it.
You may be on the right career path now, though a bit weary from the trek, and the fact that you are considering your other options does not mean you won't decide to stick with option one. It just means you are smart, careful, questioning, astute …hmmmmm…these attributes seem to add up to a great Ph.D. candidate, and that bodes well for whatever career choice you make!
Dr. TRACY STEEN, Editor, ABDSG
Tracy Steen, Ph.D. , is a clinical
psychologist and dissertation coach in Philadelphia, PA. She received her
Ph.D. from the University of Michigan and completed a postdoctoral fellowship
in positive psychology at the University of Pennsylvania. Dr. Steen draws
on her research background in positive psychology in her coaching work with
writers, helping them to remove internal obstacles so they can find more engagement
and flow in their work. You can contact Dr. Steen with questions about this
newsletter or about coaching in general at steen_t@mail.trc.upenn.edu.
You can also visit her website at www.tracysteen.com
Inspirational Quotes
William Blake
In the universe, there are things that are known and things that are unknown;
and in between, there are doors.
Robert F. Bennett
Your life is the sum result of all the choices you make, both consciously
and unconsciously. If you can control the process of choosing, you can take
control of all aspects of your life. You can find the freedom that comes from
being in charge of yourself.
Andrew Carnegie
If you want to be happy, set a goal that commands your thoughts, liberates
your energy and inspires your hopes.
Thomas Alva Edison
If we all did the things we are capable of doing, we would literally astound
ourselves.
Samuel Johnson
Courage is the greatest of all the virtues, because if you haven't courage,
you may not have an opportunity to use any of the others.
14 Free Telephone Groups for ABD
Survival Guide Readers
Be sure to read through all 14 workshops before registering for your favorites.
Workshops are free, but space is limited.
FINISHING STRONG:
Learn to apply your strengths to stay motivated, focused, and organized
while you complete your dissertation
Doctoral programs recruit smart and capable people, but the process of completing
a dissertation can leave students feeling demoralized and disorganized. In
this group, you will reconnect with your strengths, and get group support
while learning effective ways to manage your attention, and keep on track
with your dissertation-related work.
DATES. First and third Tuesday of each month at 4:00 PM (Eastern Time).
There is no fee for the first 4 sessions. Group will be limited to 20 members.
DATE OF FIRST SESSION. September 1, 2009
CONTACT: Andrea Meier at flourishwithcoaching@gmail.com.
Please write: "ABD Group" in the subject line. With your email registration
you will be provided with the telephone bridge for this class.
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DEFEATING THAT 'DARN' DISSERTATION!
And doing it with DISCIPLINE and DETERMINATION
In this group, we will:
* Apply a 'success formula' for increasing productivity and obtaining results
* Maintain a level of commitment despite internal and external obstacles
* Provide support to self and others to facilitate this challenging process
DATES: Thursdays, for one-hour every other week, at 11:00 am (EST)
for 4 sessions. There is no fee for the first 4 sessions.
DATE OF FIRST SESSION: June 25, 2009
PLEASE CONTACT: Angela Sorensen, Ph.D. at sorensen1234@comcast.net.
Please include "ABD Group" in the subject line. Upon e-mail registration,
you will be provided with the telephone bridge for this class.
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Dissertation- A Done Deed:
Powerful Strategies for Thesis Completion from Someone Who's Done It and Coached
Others to Ph.D. Success
• Add An Experienced Academic Coach to Your Team.
• What would it mean for you to handle internal blocks, master action strategies, and celebrate getting your doctorate?
• Dr. David Wolf has coached many students from stuck in the muck to satisfied and moving forward.
• Get professional support to achieve your goal.
Dates: Tuesdays, weekly from 3-4 PM (Eastern) for 4 group sessions. No fee for these 4 sessions.
Date of First Session: July 21, 2009.
Contact: Dr. David Wolf at DavidWolf@Satvatove.org or DavidBWolf@Windstream.net. Please include "ABD group" in the subject line. Also, describe your greatest challenge in completing your dissertation.
This class is limited to first 12 responders. Upon registration you will
be provided with the telephone bridge line for this class.
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OVERCOME PERFECTIONISM AND
EAT YOUR DISSERTATION FROG NOW
Are you not moving forward because you are chewing too much on your ideas looking for the perfect words? Are you procrastinating because you do not like the taste of your dissertation frog?
Then join this v-group and learn how to:
• Move from being the perfect chef to being the kitchen STAR
by applying Significant Techniques and Actions leading
towards Results
• Reward and/or punish yourself to help you eat the baby frogs on your
dissertation frog menu
Dates: Thursdays, weekly at 12:00 noon (Eastern) for 4 one-hour sessions.
No fee for these first 4 sessions.
Date of first session: Thursday July 16, 2009
Contact: Maddy Swinnen, MBA, MAP, and recovering perfectionist, at
maddy.swinnen@happinex.org.
Please include "ABD Group" in the subject line.
Upon email registration you will be provided with the telephone bridge for
this class.
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DRIVING YOUR DISSERTATION TO THE FINISH LINE
Implement Tangible Strategies for Success
Where is that dissertation finish line??? This workshop will help you
• Set SMART goals and leverage your strengths to keep you on the road
to success
• Develop effective strategies to get unstuck, and remove roadblocks
• Boost your productivity by managing your energy and time
DATES: Thursdays, weekly at 11:00 AM (Eastern) for 4 one-hour sessions.
No fee for these first 4 sessions.
DATE OF FIRST SESSION: July 9, 2009.
CONTACT: Neena Newberry at neena@newberrycoaching.com
and include ABD Group in the subject line. Upon email registration you will
be provided with the telephone bridge for this class. Class size is limited
to 12 participants.
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Your Ultimate Dissertation Motivation:
6 weeks to overcoming procrastination and blocks
Regain and maintain your momentum to PhD completion
Combining teaching, visualization, coaching, and practice, you will:
• Discover your Personal Dissertation Motivator (PDM)
• Learn how to access and apply your PDM
• Empower your PDM in partnership with ego
• Create a motivating action plan to complete your PhD
DATES: Thursdays, weekly from 12 noon to 1:15pm ET for 6 weeks. No Fee for the first 6 sessions. Maximum 12 participants.
DATE OF FIRST SESSION: June 11, 2009 at 12 noon ET
CONTACT: Stefany G Burrowes, PCC at stefany@sensationalwisdom.com.
Please include - ABD Group - in the Subject line. Upon email registration
you will be provided with the telephone bridge line and further instructions
for this class.
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Writing With Focus, Flow & Follow-Through:
Creative Solutions for Dispelling the Dissertation Doldrums
In this experiential workshop, we will approach your writing project by cultivating the best habits of body, mind and spirit:
Weeks 1 & 2: FOCUS: Design your purpose and structure, by accessing
inner knowing, daily discipline and an ideal vision for your work;
Weeks 3 & 4: FLOW: Develop your process, by learning to shape the optimal
flow of your reading, thinking, synthesizing, and writing;
Weeks 5 & 6: FOLLOW-THROUGH: Practice the skills of time, energy and attention
management for stamina, structure and successful completion.
NOTE: Limited to 6 motivated people from the arts or humanities.
DATES: Meeting 6 consecutive Mondays from 1:00-2:00 pm, ET.
DATE OF FIRST MEETING: July 27th, 2009.
CONTACT: Mary Jansen, mjansen1@verizon.net.
Please include "ABD GROUP" in the subject line. Upon registration
you will be given the telephone bridge line for this workshop.
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Find Joy in the Doing. Celebrate Your Accomplishment!
Discover the pleasures of getting your dissertation done.
Use Appreciative Inquiry to energize your day and find more pleasure in
your dissertation work. Leave the dread behind and start asking these questions:
• What am I appreciative of?
• How can I find a more positive approach to my challenge?
• What are my strengths?
• What does happiness have to do with anything?
DATES: Wednesday, weekly for one-hour at 11:00 AM (EST) for 5 sessions. No fee for the first 5 sessions. Registration is limited to 12 people.
DATE OF FIRST SESSION: Wednesday, June 10th 2009
CONTACT: Please contact Anette Due Rosenzweig at adrcoaching@gmail.com.
Include "ABD Group" in the subject line of the email. Upon email
registration you will be provided with the telephone bridge for this class.
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WHEN RESEARCH BECOMES PROCRASTINATION
Many ABD learners are excited by the act of researching - the reading, the discovery, the interpretation, and the interaction with subject matter experts- that it becomes difficult to determine when enough information and insight is enough. Moving beyond the research to writing is very difficult for many to achieve. If you see yourself in this description, this is the group for you. Over the course of four weeks, this group will:
• Learn to manage time so that the writing process fits around your life
• Build and maintain confidence in your writing skills and your chosen topic
• Move beyond the individuality of the research process and provide a forum to discuss ideas and get the creative juices flowing
• Set short-term deadlines and become proactive
DATES. Tuesday's from 7-8 p.m. EST for 8 weeks. (NO Fee for the first 4 sessions)
DATE OF FIRST SESSION. June 16th
CONTACT: Dr. David DeHaven at david@d3coaching.com
and include "ABD Group" in the subject line. Upon email registration
you will be provided with the telephone bridge for this class.
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DISSERTATION 911:
Emergency Techniques for Unsticking the Desperately Stuck
Are you trapped between the shame of dissertation paralysis and the terror
of not finishing? Have you unsuccessfully tried to overcome the distractions
of life's minutiae and build support from others? The good news is: Sometimes
desperation is the best catalyst - and you have lots of that.
You will learn:
• extreme 'block-busting' techniques
• radical strategies for managing your own and other's expectations
• winning techniques to change your attitude, approach, and actions
If you are desperate enough to finally do what it really takes to complete
your dissertation, then this workshop is for you. This workshop is NOT for
the faint-hearted.
DATES: Tuesdays, weekly at 1:00 pm (Eastern) for 8 one-hour sessions.
No fee for these first 4 sessions.
DATE OF FIRST SESSION: June 9, 2009
CONTACT: Jan Hill, PhD at
jan@lifeworkscoaching.ca and include "ABD Group" in the subject
line. Upon email registration you will be provided with the telephone bridge
for this class.
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READY, AIM, BULL'S-EYE!
Turn Your Dissertation Goal into a Heat-Seeking Missile that Can't Miss!
Session 1: Get Ready! Seek & Destroy your Motivation Blockades
Session 2: Aim! Line up Your Shot by Learning to Direct your Focus …
WHERE IT COUNTS!
Session 3: Prepare to Launch: Crucial Techniques that you have been missing!
Session 4: Fire! How to Hit the Mark without Melting Down
DATES: Mondays weekly for one-hour at 12:00 pm EDT time for 4 weeks.
There is no fee for these first 4 sessions.
DATE OF FIRST SESSION: Monday, September 14th, 2009
To register, please contact Michelle Goble at michelle@heartsongdiscovery.com
and include "ABD Group" in the subject line. Upon email registration
you will be provided with the telephone bridge for this class.
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MAKING MOLEHILLS OUT OF MOUNTAINS:
Tools to help you complete your dissertation journey!
Does finishing your dissertation look like an awfully big mountain to climb?
Sign up now for this group to learn ways turn that mountain into hills that
are more easily journeyed.
• Capitalize on your natural strengths
• Manage time and priorities
• Overcome procrastination
• Create a vision of success.
DATES: Every other Tuesday for one-hour at 1:00 pm EST for 5 sessions. There is no fee for these first 5 sessions.
DATE OF FIRST SESSION: Tuesday July 7, 2009
CONTACT: Please contact Paula Solomon at pksolomon@aol.com
to sign up or with any questions you may have. Please include the words "ABD
GROUP" in the subject line. When you register you will be provided with
the telephone bridge line to access this class.
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5 ESSENTIAL STEPS TO OVERCOMING PROCRASTINATION:
Simple Ways to Get into Action and Stay Motivated
If you have been putting off completing your dissertation or haven't even
started due to procrastination, this workshop will help you get into action.
You'll also learn easy ways to stay motivated until you finally get your dissertation
done.
Dates: Wednesdays, weekly from 7:00 - 8:00 p.m. (Eastern) for 5 sessions.
Date of First Session: July 1, 2009.
Contact: Coletta Hagan at coletta.hagan@yahoo.com
and include ABD Group in the subject line. Upon email registration you will
be provided with the telephone bridge for this class.
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Declaring War on Dissertation Obstacles:
Proven Strategies to Win the Final Battles
A 6-Week Program to:
• Create Your Personal Battle Plan
• Keep Your Goal in Mind When You're Down in the Trenches
• Handle the Generals: Advisors to Add Ammunition
• Align Allies
The ones in your Life
The ones in your Head
• Promote From ABD to PhD!
Dates: 6 consecutive Tuesdays 7:00-8:00 pm (Eastern). There is no fee for these 6 sessions.
Date of first session: July 8th, 2009
Contact: Naomi Zemont at momentumconnection@gmail.com. Please include "ABD Group" in the subject line. Upon email registration you will be provided with the telephone bridge for this class.