Is there a monster under your bed?

As you lay awake at night, what are your dissertation fears? That you are not good enough? That you will run out of money? That you will not get your Ph.D., your family will be ashamed of you, and you will end up on the streets? Just as when you are were a child, these are the monsters under your bed.

First, rest assured that such fears and worries are very normal. Often the best way to handle the monster under the bed is to directly confront the fear. You are worried that you are not good enough? Let us examine that. How did you do in your undergraduate and graduate programs? You got As and Bs? Then you should be able to handle the dissertation. Think about (it helps to actually list them) your successes academically, what were you really good at? What always was a problem for you?

What do you feel is your weakest area related to your dissertation? Do not just worry about it, take control of the monster! Is it writing? Then look into taking a writing course. Look into hiring an editor to work with you.

Is your weakest area research methodology? Then read some books in your methodology area, so you feel more confident.

Beware of the common tendency to close your eyes and pretend the monster is not there, while you quiver in fear. Face it and wrestle it to the ground! You are in control of your destiny, take whatever steps you need in order to get rid of the fear and get done! 

Next time, we consider dealing with criticism. Do you have an issue or a question that you would like me to discuss in a future post? Send me an email with your ideas. leann.stadtlander@waldenu.edu