The UnDissertation Blog - Commentshttp://www.theun-dissertation.com/the-undissertation-blog/en-CASquarespace Site Server v5.9.2 (http://www.squarespace.com/)Dr. Karen Shue comments on The Dissertation MarathonDr. Karen ShueMon, 01 Feb 2010 20:46:58 +0000http://www.theun-dissertation.com/the-undissertation-blog/2009/11/19/the-dissertation-marathon.html#comments219431:2265808:comment/7184526You are so welcome! I'm delighted that you're finding it useful to you --

And that you let me know you're out there and reading -- if there are specific things you'd like to hear about/talk about, let me know and I'll try to target that for you.

If I can help more directly, of course, you can let me know that too ;-)

Deep breath -- keep well-hydrated (with water and whatever else keeps you Flowing ;-) -- you CAN do this!

]]>aje_aje comments on The Dissertation Marathonaje_ajeSun, 31 Jan 2010 14:49:19 +0000http://www.theun-dissertation.com/the-undissertation-blog/2009/11/19/the-dissertation-marathon.html#comments219431:2265808:comment/7163615I have been ABD for nearly 2 1/2 years. I found this blog last summer and appreciate the tips and messages. This comparison to a marathon hit me this morning. I know I can do this! I know that I can DO this. Here I go back to editing and adding to my Introduction and Problem.......

Thanks for the Blog.

]]>Dr. Karen Shue comments on The Dissertation MarathonDr. Karen ShueMon, 18 Jan 2010 19:55:18 +0000http://www.theun-dissertation.com/the-undissertation-blog/2009/11/19/the-dissertation-marathon.html#comments219431:2265808:comment/6989369I suspect that both will be easier to the extent that you learned from the first time how you work, how to stay motivated (or work anyway), how to pace yourself, how to deal with frustrations and disappointments, etc. etc.

These kinds of Big Projects are such valuable ways to learn about ourselves and how to work with ourselves rather than against/in spite of ourselves -- an opportunity not everyone is so aware of!

Good luck with your new course! -- and the half-marathon!

]]>Carly - UKEssays.com comments on The Dissertation MarathonCarly - UKEssays.comMon, 18 Jan 2010 15:09:25 +0000http://www.theun-dissertation.com/the-undissertation-blog/2009/11/19/the-dissertation-marathon.html#comments219431:2265808:comment/6987241As somebody who has both ran a half marathon and written a dissertation proposal, I completely agree. I did both with little experience and this summer I am starting a Master's course so I will be doing it again. Probably going to run the half marathon again - I wonder if both get easier the second time?

]]>Lori comments on Beating the Giants: What Could You Achieve if You Didn't Know It?LoriThu, 08 Jan 2009 00:42:25 +0000http://www.theun-dissertation.com/the-undissertation-blog/2009/1/7/beating-the-giants-what-could-you-achieve-if-you-didnt-know.html#comments219431:2265808:comment/2655000Karen - What an inspirational video! Thanks for sharing this with us!
As I watched this video the following came to me:
"Mind Over Matter"
If we BELIEVE we can do it, we will do it.
Forget about the past and focus on the present, the here and now.
We are, what we BELIEVE we are.
We can do, what we BELIEVE we can do.
THE CHOICE IS OURS.....WHAT DO YOU CHOOSE?

]]>Dr Karen comments on Beating the Giants: What Could You Achieve if You Didn't Know It?Dr KarenWed, 07 Jan 2009 22:19:37 +0000http://www.theun-dissertation.com/the-undissertation-blog/2009/1/7/beating-the-giants-what-could-you-achieve-if-you-didnt-know.html#comments219431:2265808:comment/2654610I believe this may be the musical link you are looking for ;-)

http://www.imeem.com/people/-2so8H/music/Fd3YN_a-/mark_willard_alex_kendrick_facing_the_giants_theme/

]]>Amanda comments on Beating the Giants: What Could You Achieve if You Didn't Know It?AmandaWed, 07 Jan 2009 19:34:18 +0000http://www.theun-dissertation.com/the-undissertation-blog/2009/1/7/beating-the-giants-what-could-you-achieve-if-you-didnt-know.html#comments219431:2265808:comment/2654031Nice comments Victoria. I particularly like the reminders about which ideas we are reinforcing. I am spending too much time not only reinforcing what others are saying but also in thinking that x tactic can't work for me for whatever reason. I must believe I'm really special--and not in a good way. :/

]]>Victoria comments on Beating the Giants: What Could You Achieve if You Didn't Know It?VictoriaWed, 07 Jan 2009 19:24:45 +0000http://www.theun-dissertation.com/the-undissertation-blog/2009/1/7/beating-the-giants-what-could-you-achieve-if-you-didnt-know.html#comments219431:2265808:comment/2653990Wow! What a powerful video! Thanks for sharing this, Karen!! Did you just happen to come across this, or have you been saving it for a day like today? ;-)

I have two thoughts---one about the blindfold, and one about the coach. The blindfold kept the boy from seeing how far he had yet to go, thus his focus was limited to the NOW--the step that was immediately before him. I wondered if he would have kept pushing himself if the coach had not been continually yelling, "Keep going. Don't quit! Don't let me down. You can do it!"

Applying this to our dissertation challenges: Today we discussed the importance of keeping our focus on the here and now. For us that means knowing what task we need to work on right now, in the next 15 min, or 30 min, or two hours. All those minutes accumulate, and we have put in a lot of time and accomplished our goal! Of course, we need to have a target, but we can't allow too much of our energy to be expended on gazing at the target from afar. If we continue working, step by step, we will reach the target in time.
Another point I see has to do with feeling like we can't do the task before us and being willing to face the difficult challenges before us. We would not have gotten where we are if we didn't have the ability to complete the dissertation, but sometimes it seems too hard. I think we need to be cautious about the messages we are hearing and attending to (the neural paths we are reinforcing). If we attend to the nay-saying messages, which may come from ourselves or from others, we will get discouraged. So, we need to keep telling ourselves, "Keep going! Don't give up! You can do it! Don't let me down!" AND, we're fortunate to have each other to say to us, "Keep going! Don't give up! You can do it! Don't let yourself down!" (punctuated by the occasional high-kick and pom-pom waving *v*) ;-)

One more thought......I was wondering how much the music contributed to my emotional response to the scene being shown. I don't think it would have been as powerful without it! Where can I get the sound track? I need to play it as I work! ;-)

]]>Lori comments on Stop Spinning: Mindfulness WorkshopLoriThu, 18 Sep 2008 19:50:59 +0000http://www.theun-dissertation.com/the-undissertation-blog/2008/9/17/stop-spinning-mindfulness-workshop.html#comments219431:2265808:comment/2004120Karen,

Thank you for the information on the mindfulness class! I am very interested in learning more about this topic. Unfortunately, I will be on the road traveling next Friday and unable to telephone at noon. I am hoping the session will be recorded and have emailed Sheila with this question. If anyone else attends the session please let me know your thoughts.

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