Where did I put my motivation?

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 at graduation. 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