As you write your dissertation, have you wondered how you are going to make it through those times when you feel as if you’ve been punched in the stomach? those low points that come after devastating setbacks?
Do you ever say to yourself, “Why does this have to be so hard?”
Most of us have at one time or another.
When you are knocked off your feet by an unexpectedly critical evaluation of a proposal or a chapter, what do you do?
As I think this morning about what happened in the New Hampshire Presidential Primary, I’m struck with how winning for two politicians came on the heels of huge setbacks.
John McCain’s presidential fortunes at one time had been so low that he had been all but written off.
And who gave Hillary Clinton any chance at all of winning in New Hampshire after being beaten so badly in Iowa?
It has to take a deep reservoir of courage and trust– trusting in one’s self even when you feel incredibly wounded–to come back from huge political defeats.
The same can be said for rebounding from a setback in the dissertation process.
Even though you’ve had a severe setback, you still have choices.
And to find the will to make a choice, you go to your own deep pool of resources.
Deciding that you are going to do whatever you can to get back on your feet, making a choice, and taking action can in the long-run give you strength that you would be hard-put to find in any other way.
That new strength becomes part of your inner resources.
It will be there for you to call on when you hit another snag in your life or career or writing.
I’d love to hear what your experiences have been. How have you dealt with setbacks?
Until next time,
Nancy
Nancy Whichard, Ph.D., PCCYour International Dissertation Coach and Academic Career Coach
ancy @ nancywhichard.com http://www.nancywhichard.com
www.nwcoaching.com
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