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INSIDE THIS ISSUE - Jan. 3 2006
2. Writing Like a Dog: How to Find Dynamic Balance in the Dissertation Process By Paula Eder, Ph.D.
4. Free workshops for ABDSG readers
January 3, 2006
A Note from the Editor
Tracy Steen, Ph.D.
What can we learn from a dog with a frisbee? In this issue, Dr. Paula Eder answers this question in helpful detail, and the rewards are much better than liver snaps! If you are like most graduate students, your New Year's resolutions are about writing more and writing faster. After reading Dr. Eder's article, you might be inspired to make some resolutions that will tune up your overall attitude and approach to the dissertation process.
The New Year is also a good time to resolve to get additional support. At the end of this newsletter, you can find out about three free workshops for ABDSG readers. It's an opportunity to bond with fellow graduate students and learn from experienced workshop leaders. The workshops take place via teleconference, so you can even attend them in your pajamas . . . .
Wishing you a joyful and productive New Year!
Writing Like a Dog: How to Find Dynamic Balance in the Dissertation Process
By Paula Eder, Ph.D.
=============================================================
Does the prospect of completing your dissertation feel like a staggering
burden? Would you like help in learning how to carry the load?
Let's explore your power to create dynamic balance in your
life.
Whether a new challenge is stimulating or disruptive depends a great deal on how you approach it. The more you are locked into old patterns, the more rigidity compounds your problems.
Think of a dog, joyfully leaping to catch a Frisbee. You won't see any rigidity in that effort. Her center of gravity constantly shifts, yet she remains in dynamic balance.
You can use principles of dynamic balance to promote your effectiveness and well being while writing your dissertation. The more fully you appreciate your uniqueness and understand the concepts that follow, the better you can manage your time and experience daily success.
To find your footing: "Start at the place where your own feet stand." (Anonymous)
You can only begin where you are. Learning how you personally experience challenge—as disruption versus stimulation—gives you great power to make changes that work for you. Which of the following statements best describes your situation?
- "This dissertation destabilizes my life. My comfortable routines are ruptured."
- "I'm bracing myself against the mounting demands."
- "I get bogged down just thinking about my dissertation!"
- "I have more demands than I want to/can accommodate."
Now close your eyes and envision the dog's fluid grace as she springs into the air. What do you perceive is creating her dynamic balance? Take a moment to compose your thoughts before reading further. Add your impressions to broaden your understanding:
- She wants to catch that Frisbee!
- She is focused, undeterred by distractions.
- She is in the moment.
- She draws on her reserves for that skyward leap.
- She is healthy and fresh for the game
Translating these insights into effectiveness strategies:
• Establish your direction. You can't move forward and stand still at the same time. Don't let ambivalence destabilize you. Envision yourself meeting your goal to help yourself realign your priorities. Consciously affirm how each short-term inconvenience supports a long-term goal. The more you desire the satisfaction of completing your dissertation, the more readily you can prioritize tasks and keep on track.
• Make the unwanted wanted When are you more in balance: When you are bracing against something unwanted, or when you are em-bracing something you genuinely accept? You have enormous power to flex when you maintain perspective. Give yourself to the work of the dissertation, and your involvement will help sustain you.
• Create a "sacred space" for work. Dedicating an area exclusively to writing your dissertation will help you focus. When your work materials are in place and organized, you are able to resume your efforts with minimal preparation. Small blocks of time can then be utilized more effectively. You might also freshen your special place with flowers or a picture.
• Allocate realistic time. Few things fuel confidence as reliably as maintaining momentum. Work on your dissertation daily, even if your scheduling has to be flexible. Small tasks can accommodate small blocks of time. Close by appreciating your progress each day.
• Coordinate your work with your personal energy curve. It's helpful to focus undivided attention on your dissertation when you are freshest. This is the optimal time to tap into your creativity. When your energy starts to lag, a shift of focus might provide a second wind.
• Utilize your down time. Tasks deferred become magnified in your mind and drain your energy. Are there responsibilities you can meet, even when less alert? Keeping up with these chores will help you maintain your footing on the long path ahead. You might benefit from a friendly pep talk with yourself, too.
• Support your animal vitality! What charges your batteries? Daily walks or aerobics classes? "Smart foods"? Playtime with your pets or loved ones? An extra hour's sleep? Be loyal to your needs. The healthier you are, the more balanced energy you bring to your projects. Let your support team help you here. Make requests small and specific, and tailored to each person's strengths.
• Reward yourself. It's wonderful that you have made this commitment to enrich your life! Your appetite to engage more fully is your "love of the game." Renew this incentive daily by setting aside a time-limited period for your pleasure alone. Counter-balance your dissertation work with what enlivens you. One person might dance to loosen up and shake off fatigue. Another might call a friend. Refuse to feel guilty for your me-time. You'll be fresher and more efficient on the other side.
About Paula Eder, Ph.D.
===========================================================
Paula received her M.A. from the University of Michigan in 1965 and
her Ph.D. from the University of California at Berkeley in 1971.
She subsequently accepted a faculty position at a small New Hampshire
liberal arts college where she taught for seven years. Since 1976,
Paula has maintained a thriving private practice working with individuals
and groups and facilitating annual retreats.
Paula's passion is developing customized practical guides to help individuals find time for reaching academic, personal and career goals. She is fascinated with time and its impact on the success of all endeavors. If you wish to discuss your dissertation or other time issues, you can contact Paula at: paula@findingtime.net or call her at 603-547-6696.
To find out about Paula's next free teleclass on using time wisely to reach your objectives, visit www.findingtime.net.
Inspirational Quote
Not a shred of evidence exists in favor of the idea
that life is serious.
--Brendan Gill
Are you taking yourself (and your work) too seriously? Ask yourself, "How can I make this fun?"
Three Free Workshops for ABDSG Readers
1. GET A GRIP - TAKE CONTROL OF YOUR DISSERTATION AND GET IT DONE!
4 weekly sessions on consecutive Tuesdays January 17, 24,
31 and February 7
WHEN: 11:00 AM to Noon Eastern Standard Time (4:00
AM
Greenwich Mean Time)
WORKSHOP LEADER: Janet Slack
TELEWORKSHOP DESCRIPTION
Join me for 4 invigorating, weekly coaching sessions that will help you to "get a grip" on your dissertation process. Janet Slack will guide the group and help you develop skills and techniques to keep your thoughts, notes, research and writing under control. Discover ways to organize time, manage stress, stay motivated and get the project done. Are you ready to get a grip?ABOUT YOUR WORKSHOP LEADER
Janet is a therapist in private practice in Western North Carolina and an experienced coach. She is the owner of Life Adventure Coaching and believes in the concept that we can approach the hardest task as an opportunity. See her website at www.lifeadventurecoaching.com.TUITION
These classes are FREE to ABD Survival Guide Subscribers. Long distance charges for the call will apply.TO REGISTER
Please email Janet at janet@lifeadventurecoaching.com. Put the words "REGISTER ABD GROUP" in the SUBJECT line of your email. In return, you will receive a confirmation email specifying the dates, time, and bridge number of the Teleconferences.
2. FINISHING YOUR DISSERTATION EVEN IF YOU HAVE A LIFE
4 weekly sessions
on consecutive Tuesdays January 31 and February 7, 14, and 21, 2006
WHEN:
7:00 PM to 8:00 PM Eastern Standard Time [12:00 AM GMT]
WORKSHOP LEADER:
Marion C. Bloch, Psy.D.
TELEWORKSHOP DESCRIPTION
Join me for 4 encouraging, weekly coaching sessions that will help you set priorities, stay energized, and complete your dissertation, without putting your real life on hold. Dr. Bloch earned her degree in the midst of work, marriage, and family. She has since helped several other graduate students finish theirs.ABOUT YOUR WORKSHOP LEADER
Marion is a psychologist who is working as a school psychologist. She also has a coaching practice that includes working with all aspects of families; from family business to how family life affects how we organize and manage our lives.TUITION
These classes are FREE to ABD Survival Guide Subscribers. Long distance charges for the call will apply. After the first month, additional costs will apply.TO REGISTER
Please email Marion at maya.cb@verizon.net.
Put the words "REGISTER ABD GROUP" in the SUBJECT line of your email. In return, you will receive a confirmation email specifying the dates, time, and bridge number of the teleconferences, along with some preliminary activities to get you started in the learning process.
3. 4 WAYS TO MAKE SPACE IN YOUR LIFE FOR YOUR DISSERTATION
Sign-up
for a free 4 part series: Monday evenings, January 9, 16, 23, 2006
WHEN:
7:00-7:59
PM Eastern Time [12:00 AM Greenwich Mean Time (GMT)]OR Tuesday afternoons
January 10, 17, 24, 31, 200612:00- 12:59 PM Eastern Time [5:00 PM
Greenwich Mean time (GMT)]
OBJECTIVES
Create space in your home and life to complete your dissertation.
Develop a plan to include working on your dissertation daily.
Learn techniques to alleviate the anxiety around writing.
Establish a timeline that you can stick to and finish.WORKSHOP OVERVIEW
Join an enthusiastic and motivated group of people who have decided to tackle the obstacles of getting their dissertation done and get on with their life!ABOUT YOUR WORKSHOP LEADER
Cathy Rodrigues has developed proven strategies that help ABD students get their work completed. Through providing support, accountability and identified resources, she works with doctoral and master's candidates to make adjustments in people's lives that help get the work done.TUITION
FREE to ABD Survival Guide' Subscribers. Long distance charges for the call apply.TO REGISTER
Please email: Cathy@CathyRodrigues.com
Put the words "REGISTER ABD GROUP" in the SUBJECT line of your email. In return receive a confirmation email specifying the dates, time, and bridge number of the Teleconferences, along with some preliminary activities to get you started in the learning process.
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 writing
coaching in general at tracy@mentorcoach.com. You can also visit
her website at www.tracysteen.com
YOUR OWN COACH
If you are considering whether to get your own coach to help you
reach your academic goals, send any email to the following: 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 focused on training accomplished helping professionals
to become extraordinary coaches. He is also founder of eCoach (www.ecoach.com),
which trains interdisciplinary professionals to become coaches.
and visit www.coachingtowardhappiness.com, for his Coaching
Toward Happiness newsletter on applying the new science of Positive Psychology
to your work and life (131,000 readers). Ben lives in suburban
Maryland with his wife, Janice, and their two children and
Norman, their Norwegian dwarf bunny.
=====> Ben J. Dean,
Ph.D., MentorCoach®
4400 East West Hwy/ # 1104 • Bethesda, MD 20814 • USA
Tel: +1-301-986-5688 * Secure Fax: +1-301-913-9447
Web: www.abdsurvivalguide.com • www.mentorcoach.com
© Copyright 2005 Ben J. Dean, Ph.D.
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rights reserved