Do you have the "Dissertation Blues?" Do you ever feel stalled or unable to start your writing? This happens to lots of people, especially when working on a long project like a doctoral study. There are lots of ways to get past these moments. One a number of people have found effective is to have a self-talk phrase or mantra.
"Just do it" (a la Nike) is a classic one which can be a way of encouraging yourself to jump in and get going, where ever, whatever.
"It won't be easier next week" is one that Gokce, one of the writing advisors here at the DSC, said she uses to prevent procrastinating and get herself to settle down and work. DSC writing advisor Linda says her mantra is "If I do this now, I can enjoy all sorts of fun stuff later" which reminds her that there will be rewards for getting her work done. Kevin, the DSC's IRB advisor and a doctoral student himself says "Practice developing two minute talking points" which gives him a small task that can be done.
When writing this, I found all I had to do was ask and people could tell me their mantras. A friend from my cohort said hers was "I must proceed as if I know what I am doing" (that one scans well). Another got through his writing by telling himself "No one knows more about this than me."
In my own case, I tend insecure whether or not my writing is good enough. If I let those thoughts go on, I soon find my writing time has passed and I haven't gotten any new ideas down. My mantra is "This is as bad now as it's ever going to be." That probably sounds depressing, but really it reminds me that I can always revise
Do you have a mantra? You should! Please share yours by leaving a comment below.
