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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. You can join The Positive Psychology and Coaching Class with P. Alex Linley until October 12, 2006. Click here. Subscribe to our other ezines: INTERESTED IN WORKING WITH A DISSERTATION
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INSIDE THIS ISSUE - October 1, 2006
3. I am the Great and Powerful Oz
Catharine E. Randazzo, PhD, DABPS
4. Free Workshop on Strategies for Finishing the Dissertation (begins October 26)
October 1, 2006
A Note from the Editor
Tracy Steen, Ph.D.
Life can be frustrating, but a good vent is as close as your car's rear bumper. Just consider the following bumper sticker seen on the vehicle of a grad student at a large university: "Another brilliant mind ruined by higher education."
You can identify with the "brilliant" part, right? (Don't be modest--We know you don't reach ABD status without a bright bulb!) And as for the alleged "ruin" in the process of higher education, you can surely envision how that bumper sticker sentiment might have evolved. Perhaps in your own ABD journey you have known the frustration of having a "brilliant" idea dismissively criticized by your advisor or a member of your committee. It happens. And it stings. But don't take it too personally.
Your advisors and committee members are charged with overseeing your transformation from ABD into Ph.D. In effect, they have the privilege and power to create their own peers. Methods vary, depending on your institution and the individuals supervising your work.
Some grad students find true mentors who allow a considerable degree of freedom, whereas others chafe under stringent demands and rigid oversight. If you are in the former category, thank your lucky stars. On the other hand, if your stars have been lowlights, keep moving forward anyway. Even a poorly lit pathway can get you where you want to go.
The downside to any disharmony between you and your academic supervisors is obvious, but there is also an upside. Although it may provide cold comfort at the time, there is truth in the adage that what doesn't kill you makes you stronger.
Through rough times you are learning to deal effectively with problems that occur not only in an academic setting, but in the real world as well. Everything that goes on in the ivory tower--from personality conflicts to unreasonable demands to political power plays--has its counterpart in the average workplace. The critical committee is replaced by the critical peer review. The difficult advisor is replaced by the difficult boss. And so it goes.
Abrasive personalities and all the rest of it will be out there to challenge you in your post-Ph.D. world, but no problem! The good news is that you will have survived those things while ABD and learned from them. Been there, managed that! You won't just have your Ph.D., you'll have fantastic coping skills! And maybe even a touch of hard-won wisdom.
In summary, if your ABD journey has been exceptionally challenging, you will be exceptionally prepared. Prepared for life. And the pride you will feel on receiving your long-awaited Ph.D. will relate not only to your academic accomplishment, but also to your perseverance, resilience and fortitude--admirable survival qualities of inestimable value, cultivated as needed along the ABD pathway. They will serve you well for a lifetime.
Inspirational Quotes
"That kind of life is most happy which affords us most opportunities of
gaining our own esteem."
--Samuel Johnson
"The gem cannot be polished without friction, nor man perfected without trials."
--Chinese Proverb
Now, getting back to bumper stickers, here's one that might strike a chord if you're feeling somewhat exasperated. And even if you're not, it might make you smile:
"I hate Aunt Em; I hate Kansas; I'm leaving and I'm taking the dog!"--Dorothy"
That bumper sticker also provides a neat little segue into Oz, a place you
can visit in
Dr. Catherine Randazzo's guest article, "I am the Great and Powerful
Oz." If you are wondering how that could possibly relate to you and your
dissertation, read on….
I am the Great and Powerful Oz
By Catharine E. Randazzo, Ph.D., DABPS
(All quotes are from The Wizard of Oz, 1939, a Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Picture.)
Remember Professor Marvel? Most people are not familiar with the name. He lived in Kansas and traveled by wagon. He made a living by looking into his "crystal" to see the future for those who asked. He's the one who convinced Dorothy to return to Aunt Em, as poor Aunt Em was suffering from a broken heart at the loss of her precious niece. Oh, but you might know him better as the Wizard of Oz. I'll bet you have already forgotten that the Wizard of Oz was about completing your dissertation!
The Great Oz
"The wizard? But nobody can see the Great Oz! Nobody's ever seen
the Great Oz…."
Dorothy wisely replied, "Then how do you know there is one?"
And that's what I ask you now. If you've not seen yourself succeeding, nor
seen yourself as a doctor in your field, then how do you know you have that
within yourself? Who do you need to be to get that dissertation done?
"I am Oz. The Great and Powerful! Who are you?"
Perhaps you should answer the Wizard's question. Who are you? Can you define that specific set of qualities that you know, deep down, to be you? Which of those elements will determine your ability to complete a dissertation? Which are lurking uncertainties? Bring them all out into the light of day. Then allow yourself a bit of wizardry! Act as if you are a success with a new degree!
Act as if. A simple phrase. An instruction, really. It is commonly heard in Alcoholics Anonymous, and it is used in many other ways. You can start using it, too. Act as if you have what it takes to be great at what you are doing. Act as if you are stronger than your fears.
The Wizard was only a wizard because he acted like a wizard. Try the following: I am a success so I will act like one, or, I will be a professional ______ so I will act like a ______. Envision it! Start to become it! The Wizard had to begin somewhere. He began as a traveling showman convincing people he had the answers. Start acting more like who you intend to be. Start being a peer to your chairperson/advisor. Start speaking like a professional.
"If you please. I am Dorothy, the small and meek."
Not a great start in the "act as if" exercise. But, this is how some of us feel. That dose of helplessness or twinge of inferiority can sabotage you! Stand up to it! See yourself as strong. Don't do the smoke and mirrors thing that the Wizard used to fool the citizens of Oz. That only kept folks away. It didn't help the Wizard feel strong. After all, he didn't go out to try to get the Witch's broom. He thought that was an impossible task. You will NEVER finish your dissertation if you think it is an impossible task. You cannot expect to succeed if you believe you cannot succeed.
Convince yourself you are ready. Dream of yourself researching and writing. If statistics is where you feel meek, align yourself with a strong statistician. If writing isn't your strength, find an honest and supportive critic. Knowledge is power. It is a sign of strength and wisdom to know one's limits if one also knows that the limits can be remedied. Dorothy and her pals found the strength and courage in each other to do the "impossible." Meek is a matter of mind and it can be overcome!
"Pay no attention to that man behind the curtain."
Bad advice! Pay lots of attention to whoever is hiding there. Is that person behind the curtain YOU? Are you hiding? Do these tasks of transformation sound too hard? No point lying--They can be quite tough. But you don't have to start by strolling into the office of the feared Department Head, Dr. Dreaded, slapping her on the back and suggesting drinks on Friday night. You can, and probably should, start small.
Make your transition a smooth one. Remember, this is NOT about how others see you. The citizens of Oz saw a great and powerful man. The professors at your university see a competent almost-doctor. This is about YOU. This is all about transitioning from scared student, for whom this project might seem huge, to competent doctor with diploma in hand. The earlier the transition starts, the easier it can be to tackle the fearsome (yet never impossible) tasks.
If you were to picture yourself looking back on a completed dissertation, what would you see? Would you be able to say: Oh, that project was such a nice start to. . . .? Or is your memory going to be: I made it a much bigger deal than I needed to...? My personal favorite: What a great time in my life. I learned a lot and grew so very much!
Take your fortitude out for some exercise.
"….you are a victim of disorganized thinking. Back where I come from we have men who are called 'heroes.' Once a year they take their fortitude out of mothballs and parade it down the main street of the city…."
The rest of the year, the heroes are like you and me. We all have the potential to do great things. The trick is finding out how to know and employ your potential.
When was the last time someone told you how great you are? Was it your child? Your mom? A professor? A pal? If it was too long ago to know, ask for a repeat affirmation from someone you trust. Ask them to remind you, from time to time, what they think of you. Have someone help you recall why you are doing this. Ask for help when you are weak and cannot drag out the fortitude that started you on this path. A period of weakness does not mean you are not meant for great things. It only means you forgot.
For many people it helps to actually have a Medal of Honor or Strength as a reminder. What could your "medal" be? Perhaps you could use a photo of yourself in a time when you felt invincible, or a token like a class ring or a Phi Beta Kappa charm, or a rock from your favorite beach. Maybe a loved one has given you a gift to tell you that she was proud of you. What a great medal that would be. Focus on your medal and take a brief hero's stroll in your mind. Hear the cheers of those you care about. Remember and savor your successes and let them energize you toward completion.
"No. No, dear. I'm a very good man. I'm just a very bad wizard."
The Wizard got by on good impressions! Make a bunch of good impressions, but don't make the wizard's error. Start with you! Impress yourself! See how far it takes you! And don't be surprised when it takes you all the way to Oz, where diplomas are given freely. Just look out for the big white rabbit, because that's an entirely different story!
Catharine E. Randazzo, PhD, DABPS, welcomes comments and questions about this article, and about getting your dissertation done! She is a coach and neuropsychologist in the farmlands of NJ. Dr. Randazzo believes most strongly that you can complete your project and even enjoy it, as she did hers. She has been coaching people through their theses and dissertations since she was a graduate student. You can reach her at CoachCER@aol.com, or find out more at www.Coach2Rewards.com. "Happiness is a choice that requires effort at times." - anonymous
Free Workshop - Strategies for Finishing Your Dissertation
6 one-hour sessions at 1:00 PM Eastern on Thursday, Oct 26;
Nov 2, 9,16, 30; Dec 7
WORKSHOP LEADERS: Kathy Kozma, Ph.D., and Kent Woodward
TELEWORKSHOP DESCRIPTION
Join us for sharing, support, tips and humor. You'll leave lighter, brighter
and more energized for living your life and completing your dissertation.
ABOUT YOUR WORKSHOP LEADERS
Kathy, a licensed psychologist, credits the phone support she received from a fellow ABD as pivotal in completing her dissertation. She has a coaching practice, Coaching for a Better Life. Her motto is "Because Living Your Best Life Matters".
Kent, as an entrepreneur, knows the benefits of setting and meeting goals first-hand. He is a teacher (and student) of meditation and mindfulness. His coaching emphasizes discovering and using each person's unique strengths.
TUITION
These classes are FREE to ABD Survival Guide Subscribers. Long distance charges
for the call will apply.
TO REGISTER
Please email Kent at woody424@aol.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.
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
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 began writing the ABDSG in 1997. Over the years, the ABDSG has provided
thousands of hours of pro bono coaching and teleworkshops to ABDs all over
the world. Ben is also 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 superb coaches. Finally
you must subscribe to the Coaching
Toward Happiness eNewsletter! It's 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, their two children, and Norman, their
Norwegian dwarf bunny. They all love coaching from the beach!
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