If you are still on the fence about re-starting your dissertation, the truth is that it doesn’t have to be hard. Make it easy.
For the first session in re-starting your dissertation, you just show up. You don’t have to write. You don’t have to search for articles or read. You just show up. And we all know how important showing up is.
Decide before sitting down how long this first session will be. 10 minutes? You decide.
So this first time in your special place and at the chosen hour, you sit down. Take a few deep breaths. Slow everything to a halt. If you feel anxious, then do some self-calming exercises—talk aloud or tap your pulse point on your wrist or roll your shoulders and your neck.
This is a good time to reflect or meditate. Or think of you at your best.
Again, help yourself to feel at ease. If you find that you need something at your chosen place for writing to comfort you—a picture, a soft stuffed animal, a pillow—make a mental note to round that up once this first session is over. For now, tell yourself that you do not have to stay one minute past your scheduled 10 minutes, or whatever amount of time you had decided.
And when the time is up, get up—don’t stay there.
Now pat yourself on the back because you showed up, you sat there, you calmed yourself, you did not check your email, and you did not answer the phone or make calls.
If you messed up and did something other than showing up, then plan for another initiation of your new writing plan. Plan for another 10-minute session and tell yourself how you will spend your time and what is allowable during that time.
You’re re-wiring your multi-tasking, harried brain. You are showing up. You are sitting in a your chosen place for writing and anticipating doing very soon a great deal on your dissertation.
One step at a time.
“Little by little, one walks far” — Peruvian Proverb
Nancy
Your Dissertation Coach
www.nwcoaching.com
