Do you feel sometimes like you have lost your motivation? Today
I am going to suggest some ideas to help you find it again. Do you have a dissertation
journal? If not, now is the perfect time to start one- write down how you are
feeling, try to determine what exactly is bothering you- do you feel frustrated?
Are you feeling overwhelmed? Describe why and how it makes you feel. Then the
important next step is to write down why you originally started this process.
What led you to be in graduate school and working on your dissertation? What
led you to select the topic that you did? Now you need a plan, how will you
work through your current emotions to get to where you want to be? If you need
help on this, your chair should be a great resource. You need a definitive plan
to move forward! Some ideas to consider- working with the writing center (talk to
your chair about the writing center's developmental editing service). Consider
a writing intensive- this is a 4-day retreat with faculty to help you write
(see the residency website). Get a dissertation coach (this doesn’t have to be
formal, a friend or mentor can be in this role- set weekly goals and be
accountable to them).
Another
suggestion is to use affirmations to help keep you going. Something like – "I
am intelligent, creative, and capable- I will complete my dissertation and be
Dr. (your name)." Tailor it to fit your needs. Then say it to yourself
frequently. Write it out and post it near your computer, make it your current life's
motto.
A final suggestion is to use visualization regularly.
Picture yourself graduating, putting on your cap and gown and walking on the
stage. See yourself receiving your doctoral hood and being called doctor.
Having a hard time seeing it? Attached is a photo of the "new" Dr. Veronica
Semenova being hooded last summer. See yourself in the picture!
Next time we will begin working through a literature review.
Do you have an issue or a question that
you would like me to discuss in a future post? Would you like to be a guest
writer? Send me your ideas! leann.stadtlander@waldenu.edu
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