A productive, academic client says that the most important thing she learned while she was writing her dissertation was to use small chunks of time during the day for her writing. Working on her dissertation in just 30 minutes here and there allowed her to finish the project. What have you tried that will help [...]
Archive for the ‘boundaries’ Category
Write your dissertation in small chunks of time
Posted in academic, accountability, boot camp, boundaries, dissertation boot camp, dissertation coach, dissertation writing, distractions, getting started, restart writing, time management, training, write more easily, writing breaks, tagged Pomodoro technique, timer, train yourself to write in small chunks of time on January 18, 2011 | 1 Comment »
To focus on your writing, get a cat
Posted in advice, boundaries, coaching, commitment, courage, determination, discipline, dissertation coach, distractions, flow, focus, mental toughness, self-discipline, start writing, take charge, trusting yourself, write more easily, tagged cat's effect on a writer, focus, Murial Spark, Publishing, trusting the process, writer's self-discipline, writing on November 21, 2010 | Leave a Comment »
Can’t concentrate? Having trouble getting into flow with your writing? Get a cat! Advice to writers can come from the most interesting places. An unexpected, but most entertaining source of advice is A Far Cry from Kensington, a novel by British writer Muriel Spark. A Far Cry takes place in 1954 London. Mrs. Hawkins, the narrator, has a job in publishing. And yes, [...]
What do I need in order to be a successful writer?
Posted in academic, advisor, beliefs, boundaries, courage, determination, discipline, dissertation advisors, dissertation boot camp, dissertation coach, dissertation writing, finishing the dissertation, goals, Happier, happiness, mental toughness, perseverance, positive psychology, realistic goals, self-sabotage, strategies, top strengths, using your strengths, writing, writing, dissertation, tagged boldness, character strengths, invest in hiring a dissertation coach, optimism, perseverance, successful writing on January 3, 2010 | Leave a Comment »
If your goal is to finish your dissertation during this new year of 2010, be bold, be optimistic, and persevere. Positive psychologists for several years have said that the strengths most important for happiness are curiosity, optimism, gratitude, zest, and loving and being loved. My experience as a dissertation and writing coach tells me that [...]
7 Tips to Increase Writing Productivity Before the Holidays
Posted in academic, accountability, anxiety, boundaries, coaching, commitment, deadline, demands, dissertation coach, dissertation writing, distractions, getting started, goals, planning, productivity, realistic goals, showing up, start writing, time management, writing breaks, tagged hiring a dissertation coach, meeting a deadline, taking responsibility for your writing, writing productivity on December 14, 2009 | Leave a Comment »
Trying to finish a dissertation draft or an article or a chunk of writing before the holidays? Also trying to keep on top of your daily job or finish your grading? And don’t even mention that you have kids. Did you mention that you’re sleep-challenged? And struggling with the real need to eat sweets just [...]
5 Tips on How to Have Your Dissertation Over and Done With, Even if You’re Teaching
Posted in academic, boundaries, demands, dissertation coach, dissertation writing, finishing the dissertation, goals, perseverance, planning, positive psychology, productivity, reflection, strategies, structures, take charge, take stock, travel, writing, writing, dissertation, tagged dissertation coach, find ideas for writing while teaching, finish your dissertation, grateful to be teaching, make writing the priority, say no to extra work on August 27, 2009 | Leave a Comment »
Does the end of August mean the start of a school year for you? Are you teaching this coming term? My clients who are returning to teaching this fall are determined to learn from their past mistakes and also to build on their successes. It’s great to hear their optimism as they plan for a [...]
How Does a Daily Writing Habit Help You Manage Negative Feelings?
Posted in academic, boundaries, discipline, dissertation boot camp, dissertation coach, dissertation writing, distractions, mental toughness, procrastination, productivity, self-deception, self-sabotage, Smart Tips, tagged capture ideas, daily writing, guilt feelings, manage feelings, negative feelings, scheduled writing, use bullets, writing habit, writing to an outline on August 10, 2009 | Leave a Comment »
As you attempt to write your dissertation, do you find that your feelings sometimes get in the way? What feelings do you find yourself dwelling on? Among my dissertation coaching clients, guilt in various forms is high on the list: • Guilt for not being further along in the work • Guilt for taking too [...]
Summer Productivity Tips: Use the August Hype for Successful Writing
Posted in academic, accountability, advisor, boundaries, coaching, dissertation advisors, dissertation boot camp, dissertation coach, dissertation writing, distractions, motivation, New Year's Resolution, productivity, restart writing, tagged dissertation boot camp, dissertation coaching, juggling dissertation, marketing, motivation, success is a habit, successful writing, summer productivity, use the hype, working full time, writing, writing habit on July 20, 2009 | Leave a Comment »
What does August have in common with January and New Year’s? If you are an academic writer, a PhD in academia, or an ABD, the last half of summer and August, in particular, may be the calm before the storm, the last best chance to do some serious writing before classes start and maybe before your [...]
To Write More Easily, What Can You Put Off ?
Posted in boundaries, dissertation boot camp, dissertation coach, distractions, planning, self-care, self-sabotage, time management, tagged draw boundaries, eliminate the drama, induce a good mood, Take responsibility for your mood on February 8, 2009 | 1 Comment »
How often have you been in the midst of a conversation with a close relative or friend and suddenly you’re asked, “When do you think you’ll finish your dissertation?” Or you might get this zinger: “Do you know of anyone in your field who has actually landed a job?” When you are minutes away from [...]
Find Motivation and Structure for Writing Your Dissertation in Dissertation Boot Camp
Posted in academic, boundaries, coaching, dissertation boot camp, dissertation coach, dissertation writing, momentum, motivation, productivity, self-care on January 20, 2009 | Leave a Comment »
Experiencing a dissertation boot camp makes great sense. A dissertation coaching client gave an enthusiastic review of her dissertation boot camp. Not only was she productive, but she also gained new insights about the process of writing a dissertation. She noted many accomplishments from dissertation boot camp, such as: 1. Drawing boundaries around the time [...]
