A few months ago a person who had finished her course work for her Ph.D., but had not done much toward her dissertation, wrote to say that as someone who worked full-time away from home, she couldn’t fathom how she could add writing her dissertation to the mix of not only working full-time, but also being [...]
Archive for the ‘family’ Category
Full time job? And trying to write a dissertation, too?
Posted in academic, boundaries, commitment, determination, dissertation coach, dissertation writing, family, mental toughness, motivation, planning, restart writing, self-sabotage, time management, writing, writing schedule, tagged dissertation, dissertation coach, full-time jobs, juggling dissertation with work and family, scheduling dissertation time, writing on May 21, 2011 | Leave a Comment »
Yes, Virginia, you do have time to write this week–and then, enjoy your holiday!
Posted in demands, determination, discipline, dissertation coach, dissertation writing, distractions, family, goals, grading, mental toughness, planning, self-discipline, teaching, time management, write more easily, writing schedule, tagged finish grading, write during Christmas week, write early before you're frazzled on December 20, 2010 | Leave a Comment »
For Christmas celebrants, we’re down to the final week. What are your goals for the week? 1. If you’re teaching, have you turned in your grades? Don’t belabor the choices. This isn’t the time to give lengthy comments on a writing project. Wind it up. 2. If you’re trying to get in a few more days of writing and [...]
The Writer’s Downfall: Time-Sucks and Lack of Courage
Posted in children, decluttering, dissertation coach, dissertation writing, family, fears, finishing the dissertation, getting started, housecleaning, planning, reasons for not writing, relationships, self-care, self-deception, self-discipline, self-sabotage, time theft, Uncategorized, writing schedule, tagged ask for help, carve out time for writing, get motivated, make time for writing, mindless activities, moms writing dissertations, negotiating, restart writing, time-sucks, writer’s downfall, writing on September 26, 2010 | Leave a Comment »
Many times writers hire me to coach them because they’re stuck. They haven’t made substantial progress on their dissertation for months. What stuck often means is that the writers are having trouble claiming a chunk of time for the writing because of time-sucks. Time-sucks come in all sizes and shapes. Facebook and email will be your [...]
What do ABD’s want from their parents? Unconditional food
Posted in academic, children, coaching, dissertation coach, dissertation writing, family, relationships, tagged ABD's, food, graduate students, parents, support on August 5, 2010 | Leave a Comment »
“There’s a certain amount of humility that comes with being 30 years old and a graduate student. The stipend is paltry, the housing less than prime,” writes Hinda Mandell. Like many graduate students, Hinda knows where to find cheap or, better yet, free food. The best place to shop free is at her parents’ home, [...]
5 Tips to Help You Maintain Your Writing Momentum and Still Enjoy Your Vacation
Posted in coaching, dissertation coach, dissertation writing, family, habit, Happier, happiness, momentum, re-start, reflection, restart writing, time, time management, write more easily, writing habit, writing schedule, tagged 25-minute writing sessions, life balance, Maintain writing momentum, minimum goals, modest tasks, restart daily writing habit, vacation on July 11, 2010 | Leave a Comment »
Are you worried about losing your momentum while you’re on vacation? But does working on your dissertation while vacationing seem depressing? Actually, writing while you’re on vacation may be easier and more pleasant than you think. Vacation will make you feel happier and livelier. Since it’s easier to write when you’re happy, you may be surprised [...]
Happy Fourth of July: Put Your Writing on Hold and Get on the Road
Posted in demands, family, joy, life, memories, play, relationships, self-care, travel, writing, writing breaks, tagged celebrate family, flyover country, Fourth of July, North Carolina, road trip, take a break from writing, traffic on July 1, 2010 | Leave a Comment »
It’s time again for the Annual Road Trip. Most road trips I’ve been on over the last few years end with our creeping along Interstate 95, wondering when there is going to be a break in the traffic. Road trips aren’t what they used to be. That is, not unless you get far away from I-95. [...]
To Dads Writing Dissertations: Happy Father’s Day!
Posted in academic, brave, courage, determination, discipline, dissertation writing, exercise, family, mental toughness, perseverance, resilience, using your strengths, tagged character strengths, dads who write, Father’s Day, wisdom on June 19, 2010 | Leave a Comment »
Happy Father’s Day to all fathers and fathers-to-be who are writing dissertations or articles for journals or books. How hard it is to be the writer at home or at the library, trying to juggle work and family life. But I want to tell you how wonderful it is to have an intelligent, kind man [...]
Be of Good Cheer on a Snowy Writing Day: 10 Tips for Holiday Eating
Posted in email, family, fun, happiness, joy, laugh, writing, writing breaks, tagged poking fun at holiday eating, snow days and goofy emails, snow days and writing on December 19, 2009 | 3 Comments »
Here on the East Coast of the U.S., it is snowing and snowing and blowing. There’s no sign of snow removal on my cul-de-sac, so it’s time to write. How about you? I hope you’re having a good writing day. It’s also a time for goofy emails. A relative who can always make me laugh [...]
Are You Using Others to Shield You from Your Dissertation?
Posted in coaching, deadline, determination, dissertation coach, dissertation writing, family, finishing the dissertation, mental toughness, motivation, perseverance, procrastination, self-deception, self-sabotage, top strengths, using your strengths, writing, writing, dissertation, tagged ability to love, excuses, family as excuse, family obligations, juggling dissertation and family, others matter, what motivates me on July 18, 2009 | Leave a Comment »
Putting others first is a strength, but using that strength casually and even irresponsibly can lead to procrastinating on your dissertation. If one of your top strengths is the ability to love and be loved, you can be assured that you won’t be lonely in your old age. Probably you won’t be lonely before you [...]
