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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. Subscribe to our other no-cost ezines: Visit Ben Dean's Live Coaching Workshops in Dallas, Austin, St Louis & Detroit. INTERESTED IN WORKING WITH A DISSERTATION
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INSIDE THIS ISSUE - April 28, 2008
2. Running the Marathon: The Dissertation as a Long-Distance
Sport
By Judith Tutin, Ph.D.
4. Positive Psychology Immersion Master Class with Chris Peterson, Ph.D.
April 28, 2008
A Note from the Editor
Tracy Steen, Ph.D.
Starbucks does a lot more than make a great cup of coffee (or tea, if you prefer). They are currently making an effort to revive a downward trend in business by launching a website at mystarbucksidea.com to solicit their customers' suggestions for change--all kinds of change. Check out the site and you will find that Starbucks is eager to know everything from "ways we could improve to things we've never even thought of."
It will be interesting to see how Starbucks' innovative, customer-oriented idea of a survey works out for the company, but what does it have to do with you and your dissertation? Probably nothing, unfortunately. However, wouldn't it be great if the idea of the Starbucks survey were appropriated by every graduate department in every university? Wouldn't you just love to make some suggestions on how to improve the process in which you are involved?
Although most of us talk among ourselves (okay, so sometimes we grumble) about changes that could and should be made to improve our program, we generally leave our department just as we found it. After all, there are few entrenchments as firm as academe. Faculty is a rather permanent fixture, whereas we are transient. Because we eventually leave and don't come back, the grad department, unlike Starbucks, doesn't have to think about pleasing returning customers. And for that reason (alas) our departments have no similar incentive to assess our preferences via anything akin to the Starbucks survey.
And so it goes….The department remains the same as grad students enter and leave, and many of the same obstacles are encountered over and over again with each new batch of hopeful candidates. But though some of the obstacles are the same, each ABD is privileged to have his or her own encounter, and one of the things we try to do in this newsletter is help you prepare for some of those encounters.
Let us know of any specific ABD problems you would like us to address. We are always eager to get feedback from our readers. And check out the ABDSG Archives: You will find a vast number of topics ranging from how to assemble your committee to how to prepare for your defense, from how to manage your time to how to manage your anxiety, from how to find flow to how to find balance. The list of topics is extensive because the number of potential obstacles in the path of an ABD is extensive, but consider this bit of wisdom from Frank A. Clark: "If you find a path with no obstacles, it probably doesn't lead anywhere."
If that's true, bring on the obstacles! (Hey, you've already got them!)
According to Dr. Judith Tutin, all we need to overcome these obstacles is a little grit, which she defines as "the combination of perseverance and passion for important life goals." In this issue's guest article, "Running the Marathon: The Dissertation as a Long-Distance Sport," Dr. Tutin describes "how the gritty are likely to succeed in the dissertation process."
RUNNING THE MARATHON: THE DISSERTATION AS A LONG-DISTANCE
SPORT
By Judith Tutin, Ph.D.
You've donned your cap and gown. You prepare to collect the coveted document signifying you have made it through…jumped all the hurdles and surmounted all the obstacles. Your name is called and your heart is pounding. As the last few years of your life flash before your eyes, you might contemplate how you did it.
How is it some of us are able to achieve our wildest and most improbable goals? For example, I recently read about three guys who decided to run across the Sahara Desert. They ran a 4500 mile ultramarathon in 111 ultrahot days. What does it take to run a marathon, or to complete a dissertation, academia's ultramarathon?
Grit is defined as the combination of perseverance and passion for
important life goals. Leaders in many fields, including art, medicine, law
and journalism, have it. West Point cadets who have it are more likely to
make it to their second year. Studies have shown it's more predictive of success
than intelligence alone. Like marathon runners, the gritty maintain
focus and forge ahead, even in the face of failure, in order to achieve their
goals. I'd have to say the three ultramarathoners had some serious grit
when crossing that desert.
Fascinating in its implications, the study of grit is still in its
infancy (hint, hint: dissertation topic for social science types). The Grit
Scale, developed by Angela Duckworth and her colleagues, includes items about
perseverance, overcoming setbacks, finishing what we start, being diligent,
avoiding distractions and maintaining focus over time. Just the things you
need to run a marathon or complete a dissertation.
Taking what we know about grit so far, and what we know about running marathons, here's how the gritty are likely to succeed in the dissertation process.
Find a passion. To complete a marathon, you've got to have the passion for running. For the dissertation, you must have the same kind of passion. Read, discuss, brainstorm and sample until you find something that captivates you as much as a new lover. When you find it, go with it, and picture the cheering throngs at the finish line when you wow them with your brilliant discovery.
Dedicate yourself. Running coaches recommend that you consider training options, pick a plan that fits with your personal style, and then dedicate yourself to it. It's the same with a dissertation. Do you write better with an outline or without? How much coffee is too much? Does it take an hour, or two days, to get enough distance from your work to have a fresh perspective on it? Make your choices and commit to them.
Learn from setbacks. Even the most careful runners sustain injuries. In any process involving numerous variables, there are going to be setbacks. Sure, losing ten pages you thought you'd saved hurts. It won't happen again with that new autosave setting on your word processing program. Expect that your road will have some obstacles to block your way, but carry on. Find another route and proceed with enthusiasm.
Think positive. Runners often use self-talk to push themselves through training; e.g., just one more hour and I'll be in the comfort of my home, eating and relaxing. You thought you found the perfect stats person, but she isn't available when you need her. Think…no one is indispensable. There are others just waiting to crunch my data. Argue against your negative thinking and come up with positive alternatives.
Identify role models. To learn about methods of training and the gear they need, aspiring runners ask the experts. Look at the most successful members of your department. Inquire about their dissertation process. How did they do it? Ask for help and incorporate suggestions. Be inspired by their accomplishment, the very one you are about to achieve.
Run the marathon. This is not a sprint. You're in it for the long haul. Map out how and when you expect to reach milestones along the way (e.g., starting the proposal, selecting the committee, starting data collection, writing the first chapter). Write it down. Celebrate each milestone reached, and get ready to party big-time when you reach the ultragoal.
You walk slowly up to the stage. The diploma is about to be placed in your slightly clammy, outstretched hand. You family and friends are cheering and applauding, along with so many others. You don't know whether to laugh or cry. You have just finished your most important marathon. How ultracool is that!
Judith Tutin earned her Ph.D. in psychology from the University of Vermont in 1984. She has taught psychology and conducted workshops in positive psychology, self-esteem enhancement, parenting and anger management. She does life coaching to help people run the marathon, wherever it may take them.
Contact Dr. Tutin to schedule a complimentary coaching session, or with comments and questions at: Email: jtutin@bellsouth.net or Web: www.drjudithtutin.com
Listen to Dr. Duckworth interviewed about self-discipline, self-control and the marshmallow study at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0-QGdCpltVo
