"The secret of success is constancy of purpose."
- Benjamin Disraeli
Received the following article through email. Dr. Jeanette Kreiser offers words of wisdom on completing your dissertation by staying the course no matter at what speed you choose to move. They are very good reminders, which we thought we know but often forget along the way.
Unfortunately, her advice on "Involve others" seems a more difficult task than doing the dissertation itself. Why? You see, I have tried every effort to form the study support group or even a simple 2-person buddy system, yet all my fellow course mates are too busy with their works and personal commitment to do it. ~sigh~ Look like I have to partner myself then. :(
From Academic Sprinter to Marathon Winner
(By Dr. Jeanette Kreiser, ABD Survival Guide)
Five years ago, I completed the Marine Corps Marathon. It took me more than 6 hours!
But, in the process, I learned an important lesson: You can meet most life challenges by simply staying the course and continuing to move, however slowly, toward the goal you have chosen.
That is how I recently lost 50 pounds as well. A consistent, determined mindset and a realistic plan got me to a healthy weight. (Now, let's hope that that same mentality will keep me at my goal!)
What does this have to do with the doctoral dissertation?
Most successful students, up to the point of the doctoral dissertation, have been academic sprinters. Many of us (I know that this was true in my case) were whizzes at hunkering down to prepare for that final exam or at disciplining ourselves for an all-nighter to complete a term paper. Your movement through school has been through a series of clearly delineated semester-long sprints.
So, while you have prepared through most of your academic career to be an academic sprinter, for the dissertation, you now have to develop the skills and mindset to be an academic marathoner.
Here are some of the principles I discovered in marathon running that can be applied to the dissertation marathon.
* Be determined!
By sticking to your goal, even in the face of frustration and discouragement, you are demonstrating that you have that quality. However, you may find that you have some outspoken "gremlins" within you that weaken your motivation. Don't try to just ignore them, because they can still move underground and undermine your efforts. Identify them and root them out!
* Set clear and realistic goals.
In running a marathon for the first time as an out-of-shape 55 year old, I did not expect to be among the first to complete the race.
The doctoral dissertation represents your first attempt at extensive, serious scholarly research. If you continue in academic circles, you will probably spend considerable time revising it or reworking parts of it for publication as a journal article or book.
Whoever said that the "best dissertation is a completed dissertation" was correct! After you complete your degree, you can rework your dissertation, having learned from your earlier problems and having received feedback from faculty, advisers, and mentors. Overly ambitious goals and complex topics can result in self-criticism, discouragement, and, ultimately, failure to complete the task.
* Vary your pace and the length of daily workouts.
You can't run at top speed for extended periods of time over long distances every day of the week.
The same principle applies to writing your dissertation. Set a reasonable and varied dissertation pace for yourself. Identify achievable goals and create a clear and sensible plan. Develop a writing schedule that allows time for rest and rejuvenation.
* Make the process as enjoyable as possible.
Nothing beats running on a beautiful day and through scenic surroundings!
Likewise, find a pleasant and comfortable environment in which to write your dissertation. Think about the positives aspects of the writing process. Note what you are learning and discovering and share your new knowledge with interested others.
* Involve others.
To prepare for the marathon, I joined a program that provided a coach and a ready-made support group. My group and I, runners of similar abilities and goals, planned to run the race together. We counted on encouragement from one another when motivation flagged or when facing physical obstacles. We also provided healthy competition for one another and realistic standards to measure ourselves against.
I completed my doctoral dissertation because I found a dissertation partner in a friend who started the doctoral program with me, MaryAnna. She and I envisioned the joint party that we were going to give when we graduated This clear goal and our semi-formal partnership keep me going in the final, intense phase of dissertation writing. And, perhaps best of all, in partnering with MaryAnna, I made a close, lifetime friend as well.
Find one or more people at a similar dissertation stage as you are and arrange for regular communications about your successes and difficulties.
* Develop a conducive social environment.
Marathon runners found the encouragement of family, friends, and even strangers, who cheered us along the route invaluable in keeping us going to the finish line.
Let family and friends encourage you as you move along the dissertation path. Tell them of your plans and goals and of how they can help you achieve them. Share your successes and turn to this support when you are having difficulties.
* Be sure to take potty breaks! Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate!
I put these two "rules of the road" together, because for the marathon writer the implication is clear: Be sure to take care of your basic needs for good nutrition and good health, mental and physical. Take care of yourself when you hurt, but then get back to running/training/writing as soon as possible.
REMEMBER! If you consistently put one foot in front of the other for 26.6 miles you will eventually complete the race!
The same is true for your dissertation. As long as you continue to move forward, even at a very slow pace, you will be successful in the end.
