Top 10 Lessons Learned in 2013 - Lessons 2 and 1

Welcome back! I've covered the top 8 lessons I've learned this year and we're down to the last 2.

2. Take another person's perspective

One of my area's of research has become perspective-taking, which is the ability to see things from another person's viewpoint. Several articles have come out recently in high-impact journals (like Nature) that cover the importance of being able to perspective-take. There is also a line of research that documents the inability of many criminals to take the perspective of other people. In lay terms, this means "put yourself in other people's shoes". If you cannot perspective-take, there is no way you will succeed in academia, unless you want to publish all sole-authored papers (which is not a good idea). 

I have always thought myself to be good at taking other people's perspective on issues, and almost always I can see both sides to any argument. I say "almost" because for the first time in my life, I really couldn't see someone else's perspective. However, I learned from the experience and know that I know have an even better idea of how to put myself in someone else's shoes. 

And finally, the number 1 lesson of 2013...

1. Take frequent breaks and time off!

I have always heard "take breaks" while working but did not leave by this rule until recently. This year, I began working in short spurts. I work for a designated amount of time then take a break. During the break, I do something. If I am at home, I do a chore, take Jack for a walk, play with Jack, or do a quick exercise. If I am at the office, I walk around, walk to the library, deliver papers, get a drink or snack, or go talk to someone. The breaks allow my brain a little rest time and let my body get some endorphins from movement. 

While this is important, I have recently learned the value of time off. Much of this fall was marked in by low morale for me. I just didn't feel like working, couldn't focus, had trouble maintaining a work schedule, and just felt bleh. When I would take a day or two off, even just for a weekend, I always felt rejuvenated on Monday morning. 

Since the semester has ended, I have continued to barrel through tasks. I have not taken a break since June of this year. AH! I decided I would work really hard, finish manuscripts for an upcoming conference, do a bunch of tasks on my dissertation, send necessary emails, complete work for my jobs, etc., and give myself the week of Christmas off (December 24th-December 29th). Well, my hard work paid off, and I have not touched work since Monday evening (December 23rd). Moreover, I didn't touch work until Monday morning (December 30th). I feel completely rejuvenated. 

The break in work gave me a chance to catch up on writing for this blog and my personal blog, read books for fun, spend time with my loved ones, catch up on movies, play games, go shopping, and do all the things I love. Best of all, I find myself thinking about my projects and feeling excited to get back to them. I was missing that excitement that made my work fun. :) I feel human again. 

What did you learn in 2013? What do you plan to do differently in 2014? Stay tuned for my 2014 goals...

Top 10 Lessons Learned in 2013 - Lessons 6-3

As I am reviewing and reflecting on everything I accomplished (and didn't accomplish) in 2013, I've decided to list my Top 10 Lessons Learned in 2013. Here is the second installment...

6. Manage Conflict

By far, my least favorite part of graduate school is all the conflict. It is a riot! Watching professors behave badly, watching graduate students argue and bicker with each other, watching people cry, watching undergraduates get upset about grades...it is enough to make a person go crazy. Conflict is part of every job and every aspect of life in which two people are involved. Even the most harmonious people face conflict. However, the breed of conflict that is present in academia is unique. 

Academics are highly intelligent people. For the most part, hard working people. And very driven. These three characteristics combined spell trouble. I have dealt with more conflict in academia than in any other part of my life over the past 26 years (and keep in mind that I taught middle school in a high-poverty area). I could continue to complain about the conflict I have witnessed, but I'll stop here. 

It is important to manage conflict to the best of your ability. For me, this has taken several unique forms. First, I have learned that when conflict arises, I need time. When appropriate, I need time to breathe, collect my thoughts, and process all possible outcomes. Once I have done this, I can approach the situation with a level head and help come to a reasonable solution. Secondly, I have learned that I have to escape the ivory tower walls of academia. I am blessed to have friends who are not part of academia and family who keep me grounded. Without them, I would never survive this world. Thirdly, I have learned that I have to expect the unexpected. Most of the conflict I have seen come up in academia is conflict that could not have been predicted. It is impossible to know what is going to cause an uproar, no matter how much you try to plan. Moreover, I've learned that if you try to plan for everything, you are going to make yourself insane. Finally, I have learned not to bring this conflict home with me. Again, this is where the family and friends come into play. Work stays at work. End of story. 

5. You don't have to do it all right now

I have been working on several projects for over a year now. It is fun to see the projects grow, change, and reach a point where the information can be disseminated. It is even better to see how that research leads to new ideas. In academia, we call this a research agenda. The goals of what a researcher hopes to accomplish in his/her career. The hard part is seeing this list continually grow and feeling like I am not doing anything to progress on it. In academia, things take time. It takes a great deal of time and energy to take a project from conception to completion. It takes even more time for that project to reach the masses.

A very wise professor told me earlier this semester, "You don't have to do it all right now. You have a 30-year career ahead of you." That made me feel so much better! She was right. I have more than 30 years ahead of me to accomplish all I want to accomplish. It's ok if I don't get to go to that conference this year. Or if my manuscript doesn't get published in that journal. Or if I don't get to teach that class yet. I have time. It won't all happen overnight. The luxury of having too many ideas is that my career will be rich and full, and I won't run out of things in those 30 years.

4. Journal as much as possible

I have thoughts. A lot of thoughts. About everything. I have learned to journal about those thoughts as much as possible. I have a hand-written and digital journal for every project I am working on. These journals allow me to document and keep track of my thinking. I write about what I read, what statistics I run, why I made a certain choice about a survey, who was on my team, what we talked about in meetings, everything. These journals then become the fuel for my manuscripts, presentations, questions, and future research. 

I have also found that I remember more when I write about it, and my mind doesn't feel as cluttered. When I don't write, I am constantly worried that I am going to lose an idea or a thought, so I hold onto it tightly. This wastes precious memory space in my brain. When I write about the idea or thought, it is captured forever and my mind is free to think up more thoughts. I have found that I think more critically and deeply about topics and about a wider range of topics than before I started journaling. It has revolutionized my academic process. 

3. Write with a purpose

I used to sit down before a blank screen on my computer or a blank page in my journal and have no idea what I was going to do. The silly, past version of me called this "Writer's Block". Often, I would be intimidated and would have no idea what to say. Now, I always write with a purpose. The purpose may be as basic as "clean out your head" or as complex as "write the discussion of the MLB paper". The key is that there is always a purpose. I know why I am writing and don't spend time before a blank screening staring, well, blankly. 

Even in writing this blog post, I knew I wanted to reflect on what I learned this past year. I did a little prewriting and was ready to go. I already had my purpose set. Sometimes the purpose morphs during the writing process and that is ok, too. The point is to start somewhere. 

The final two top lessons learned of 2013 will be revealed soon! 

Top 10 Lessons Learned in 2013 - Lessons 10-7

2013 has been quite the year for me, professionally. I have grown more as a professional this year than I ever have before. While I believe a lot of my professional growth is due to my personal growth as well, I'm happy it happened. There have been some major life lessons this year, too. Here are my top lessons learned in 2013 in grad school. :)

10. Know your role and don't overstep it!

In academia, most people are "Jack-of-all-trades" or Renaissance men. We wear many hats. As such, it can be difficult to discern what our unique roles are in any given situation. As graduate students, the lines are even more blurred. One semester, a grad student may be teaching alongside several professors and the next semester, that same graduate student is a student taking classes from those professors. It can be difficult to navigate the waters of professionalism and knowing your place. Sometimes, I see graduate students stretch beyond what their role calls for and other times, I see them not living up to the basic requirements of that role.

Over this last year, I have come to understand the importance of fully understanding your role and being careful not to overstep the demands of that role. This is true in collaborations, mentoring positions, research projects, co-authorship scenarios, and most other roles that graduate students take on. We have to be especially careful and remember that we are students first. 

One of my biggest frustrations in graduate school is the constant struggle between doing what I want and working on my own research agenda while having to appease my committee and bosses. I'm very lucky in that my committee is supportive and allows me to work toward my research agenda, but it is still a constant battle. 

9. Network, Network, Network

We attend conferences. We present papers. We publish manuscripts. We give guest lectures. We are guest speakers. We review for journals and conferences. We serve on committees. All of this is an effort to get our work disseminated to the masses. My greatest goal in graduate school is not to lose sight of why I began this journey in the first place - I want to help kids get a better education. That's it. In order to do this, we have to get our work out into the hands of other professionals in the field, including fellow researchers, teachers, and policy makers. 

One of the most important things to do as a graduate student is NETWORK! When attending conferences, finding people who are doing work you are interested in and going and talking to them. It becomes even more important when on the job market, as these are the people who will be deciding how good of a colleague you are going to be. I had business cards finally printed up this holiday break, so now feel even more equipped to do my networking to the best of my ability. When I didn't have business cards, I collected them and would email each person I met upon returning home. Through networking, I have received offers to give guest presentations, review for journals, and co-author on manuscripts. It really is important! And, fun!

8. Reward yourself when you accomplish something, big or small

We work hard in graduate school. In fact, my least favorite question to get from anyone is "so your semester is over? How long are you out for?" While I understand the misconception, there is no break in graduate school. Yes, I get to determine, for the most part, how much I work and when, I also have to face the consequences if I fall behind or things don't get done. I work more now than I did as a teacher, and I don't get to enjoy breaks like I did as a teacher. It never ends. There is always another deadline. Always something more to do. 

One thing I have learned, though, is I have to reward myself when I accomplish something. Because there is always more to do, I often keep plowing through even when I finish one task. What value does life hold if there is no celebration, though? Rewards are fun. Rewards can be given for doing something big like sending a completed manuscript out for publication or for something small like finishing a transcription. They can be for things we work hard to finish like a conference presentation or for things that we really don't have a lot to do with like a thank-you message from a student. 

The rewards can also be big or small. The reward can be a day off to go shopping with a friend, dinner with a family member, or a night spent watching a movie sans computer. You decide. My favorite rewards include anything that lets me spend time with my loved ones or allows me to relax and not stress about work and school.

7. Set goals for each year, month, week, and day

This past year, graduate school got more busy than ever before. Crazy busy. I became so overwhelmed, I really didn't know which way was up. Or down. Or horizontal. Or vertical. That's when I started making weekly to-do lists. Every Sunday night right before bed, I would sit down and on a simple Word document cranked out what I needed to accomplish each day. I also put meetings and special events on the days. As the day progresses, I cross off the item as I complete it. At the end of the day, I can see what got done and what didn't get done. 

This evolved in to me creating a list at the beginning of the week with broader goals. For example, I might want to finish the instruments for my writing study this week. In order to do that, I need to add a fifth scale to the pre- and post-surveys on Monday, edit the content analysis instrument on Tuesday, and upload the pre- and post-surveys to Qualtrics on Thursday. Now, I have weekly goals and daily goals. But, I didn't stop there.

Again, this morphed and evolved into monthly goals, but it looks a bit different. I have a timeline developed for each individual project, presentation, or paper (and even the courses I teach). I set an end goal of when the project should be completed, the date of the presentation, or the submission timeframe for the paper. Then, I back track each month all the way to the current month. Starting at the finish line, I begin listing what needs to be accomplished at that time. By the time I finish my timeline, I have an outline of what I need to accomplish each month for each project I am working on. These monthly goals are where I go to get my weekly goals, and the weekly goals become the daily goals. I also give myself some cushion in my timelines to account for "life". This allows me to accomplish what I want well before any deadline, so I am rarely scrambling to get everything done. 

I have yet to attempt yearly goals, but that will change as 2014 begins. I definitely have a clearer vision of what I would like to accomplish in 2014. I am using my research agenda to drive these yearly goals.

Overall, setting the monthly, weekly, and daily goals has made me exponentially more productive. Even when I don't completely finish a goal in the timeframe I have planned, I still accomplish more than I would without goals. 

More 2013 Lessons coming soon...

The Fruits of our Labors

It has been nearly 3 months since I have updated this blog...not for a lack of things to say or little desire to write, but simply a scarcity in extra time. As I sit in my favorite chair, sipping spiced coffee on this drizzly November morning, I feel like I am finally able to breathe again this semester.

Without question, this has been the most challenging semester I have had to date, and I LOVE it! I have been challenged beyond my expectations and don't feel like I have "failed". There also haven't been too many "frivolous" distractions. Grad school often becomes complicated by riff-raff and nonsense, which seem to have kept their distance this semester.

Moreover, I have finally begun to see the results of my labors from the last few years. Patience is a skill that is essential in grad school. Nearly everything is a waiting game and takes time to come to fruition. Manuscripts take months in the review process, then time to edit. From submitting a manuscript until publication could be years. This semester has been a nice reminder, though, that eventually, all that hard work pays off.

I couldn't have asked for a better time to be receiving so much good news and learning so many new skills. This semester also marks the end of an era - the era of me just being a student. I know that sounds silly since my anticipated graduation date is May 2015; however, it's true! My focus since I was 5-years-old has been on working hard in classes and trying to impress the powers at be of my credibility and aptitude. This semester, I have had to start focusing more on my OWN research. Not the research of others. Projects that I developed on my own or helped develop. That's a nice feeling. From here on out, that will be the main focus of everything I do.

A major milestone was passed a few weeks ago as I scheduled my Preliminary Exams! :) Why they are called "Preliminary Exams" when you take them at the end of course work is a mystery to me. Every department and major in grad school does these a little bit differently and calls them a different name. Once you are in your last semester of official coursework, you take these exams. In my department, this means you schedule a date for the oral portion, with all of your committee members. Then, you back track three weeks which becomes the starting date for the written portion. Basically, there are no rules beyond that. Committee members can send you a question with guidelines for formatting and how to answer that question along with a deadline within that 3-week period. OR, the committee member can ask you to meet in person for a written exam. After you complete the 3-week period for the written portion, you meet with your committee for the oral portion. Here, the committee can ask you any question they want or ask follow-up questions to the written portion. The goal of these exams are to see if you know your stuff and can hold your ground under pressure. Afterwards, the committee decides if you pass. If you fail, bad things happen and we won't talk about that.

After preliminary exams are complete, you have passed a MAJOR milestone. And, you really need sleep. I've warned my family and friends that the month of January is off-limits. I will suck. I will be sleep-deprived. I will need food and water. That's life. Once that hellish month is over, you get to start working on the next big milestone - the Proposal Defense. Before you can begin working on your dissertation, you have to "propose" what you want to do. The goal of this step is to ensure that you have thought logically through the research process and to anticipate any issues that might arise. It's also to get feedback and expertise from the 4 Ph.D.'s on your committee. You prepare a written proposal then present it in a formal manner, get feedback, make edits, and then get to go off on your merry way to write the big-D (dissertation).

(This song comes into my head every time I think about this.)

Once you pass your Proposal Defense, it is really time to start celebrating (for a night or two)! It's the big moment when you officially become a Ph.D. Candidate. You also get to show people that you don't know the alphabet by telling them you are "ABD" (All But Dissertation). It's a big freakin' deal. In fact, many people make it all the way to this stage then never finish. Craziness.

Now, the hard work begins - writing the dissertation. This can take anywhere from a few months to a few years depending on the project. For me, it will take me approximately a year to a year and half, depending on how cooperativeness of my data collection.

I am thankful for the successes of this semester that have kept my motivation high and my enthusiasm going. I am thankful for all the support I have at the university and how blessed I feel each day I am there. I am most thankful for my family, friends, and Jack Jack for all the support they have shown me - and how much they don't give up on me when I am super busy.

Life is good! :)

What I Wish I Knew Then...

Before I started graduate school, I had no idea what I was doing. I thought I knew what being a Ph.D. student was all about, but I was wrong! Now, I know a little bit more but still not everything. For something that all graduate students can relate to, enjoy these funny (yet completely accurate) truths.

My favorite "truth" is this one:

My greatest fear is that eventually, my professors and the other graduate students will realize I have no idea what I am doing - I'm an IMPOSTOR! :) But, then again, if everyone feels this way, am I really doing anything wrong?

Anyway, there are several things I wish I knew before I started graduate school. In no particular order, other than this is how I thought them up...

Learn to toot your own horn...

There are lots of opportunities that come up in graduate school - for research, awards, monies, you name it. Almost always, these opportunities require a letter of recommendation, a CV, and a letter of interest from you. I have learned that many faculty advisors or professors who recommend you for stuff do one of two things: 1. ask you to draft the letter then they will revise it OR 2. will ask you to write up what you would like included which they will add (which is the same thing as number 1). Also for these opportunities, your faculty advisor or professor may not even know about them before you do. 

For both of these situations, you have to know to speak up and brag about yourself. First of all, if you see an opportunity and you want to try for it, you might have to ask for the letter of recommendation or suggest it to your faculty advisor. This can be really hard if you are modest, but do it! Most faculty advisors are not going to deny you the chance to apply for something - the worst that can happen is you don't get it. But, the more things you try for, the more things you can possibly get, and the easier the application process becomes. 

Now, the asking for help part may not be difficult, but what is really hard = writing a letter bragging about yourself. The first few times I did this, I felt so pompous. I am awesome because I'm wonderful and do at least 450283 things, all well... Of course, that is an exaggeration, but it is how I feel when I write these types of letters. The key is to be tasteful, tactful, and humble, but honest. I have found that adding specific numbers helps you be specific without seeming like bragging. For example, say "I presented at 7 conferences at the local, state, and national level last year. OR I wrote two articles. OR I received $458 in grant-funding for an independent research project. (Note: These do not necessarily apply to me, they are simply examples.) These are facts that can be double checked, show you are awesome, but are not bragging. 

For many graduate students, it can be difficult to talk about yourself and why you deserve things, but if you want opportunities, you have to learn to do it well. The best part, though, is that after you've written two or three letters like this, the process becomes much simpler and you have past documents to pull ideas from! 

Lots of meetings...

As a teacher, I felt like I was constantly in meetings for everything under the sun. Newsflash: This gets WORSE in graduate school. Now, I attend more meetings. With more people. And different people. I've gotten to where I have to list in the notes section of my Google Calendar what the meeting is for or I forget. That's the worst. 

The best advice for meetings is to, if at all possible, plan ahead what you want to accomplish. Have set goals for meetings you are leading to keep people on track. For meetings you are simply participating in, try to go into each meeting with an idea or two. This shows your contributions but also keeps things moving. Because we are expected to attend so many meetings for so many thing, it is important to maximize the time on task and minimize an superfluous tangents.

Do something by yourself, but not everything...

Graduate school is a constant balance between individuality and collaboration. You have to be the perfect Jack of all trades who can do it all. Basically, graduate students are like Swiss Army Knives - perfect comparison! It is important to work with faculty and other graduate students on projects. Not only do collaborations help lessen the work load, they give you twice as many activities on your vita. For example, if I am working on a writing study, I might get a few doctoral students to assist me. I'm in charge, but they offer manpower and brainpower. I then become an assistant on their two projects (which each of them are in charge of). Just like that, I'm part of three research projects, but am only in charge of one. 

However, you cannot do EVERYTHING in collaboration. You have to do something by yourself as well. Single-author papers and presentations are gold, unless everything is single. My suggestion and what I've heard from my mentors is to have one single-author presentation per year and try to get a single-author paper out before graduation. Then, if everything else you do is in collaboration, you are in good shape to approach the job market.

It's all a numbers game...

Opportunities come to those who seek them and the more opportunities you seek, the more you get. It's cyclical. I see so many graduate students who are frustrated because they aren't getting to do enough research or teach enough or getting enough funding. Well, I used to be that student too. Then I learned that if I wanted all of that, I had to go after it. Ask professors about research they are doing and opportunities, then jump on the chance to help. You may get turned down a few times, and you will certainly apply for many things you don't receive, but the more you apply and try out for opportunities, the more you will get. 

Just be careful not to accept TOO many things. That can get you into trouble as well. :) 

Those are the top 4 things I wish I had known before I started graduate school.

Now, you know them too! 

New Semester, New Goals!

Last summer, I learned how to be an academic writer. I tried to hone my skills more and improve as a writer over the past year. During the upcoming year, I would like to become an even stronger writer. In order to ensure this can happen, I am setting myself a few simple goals towards writing to help improve on skills that I feel are weaker.

1. Don't put off abstracts. I don't feel very confident writing abstracts so I tend to put them off. This year, I want to become more confident writing them, so that means practice and research! I think Dr. Goodson's book can be a good start.

2. Learn to like literature reviews.  I will write methods and results all day...I love it! Numbers, stats, procedures - it's logical, analytical, and it makes perfect sense. I don't like literature reviews. Synthesizing what others have done to show that what I'm doing is relevant and necessary? Not a fan. My skills are a bit weaker on this part of writing manuscripts due to my dislike. Therefore, I need to form a better attitude and outlook on literature reviews. Again, I think practice is the key here.

3. Continue to ask for feedback more often. I'm still adjusting to asking for feedback frequently and can always improve on this skill. I don't think you can have too much feedback!

4. Read about writing. When I started my writing journey, I was really good about reading about writing. I've really slacked for the past 8 months. Between reading literature for projects, keeping up with my ever-growing fiction reading list, and actually studying, I haven't had time to read for writing. My goal will be to read one book for writing during the semester. When I sit down to write, I can read 2-4 pages. It may take me 3 months to read the book, but it will be beneficial. And if I finish the first book, I can start another!

I think that is a good start and a good focus for the Fall 2013 semester!

Stop time, please!

Time. In graduate school, the majority of people are constantly fighting against time while wishing they had more. We are always up against deadlines of some sort and anxiously watch the seconds, minutes, and hours tick away. 

This week I've been doing a little making over of my personal blog, and I realized I needed to update the "About Me" section of this blog. In just over two weeks (on my 26th birthday to be exact), I will officially be a THIRD-YEAR doctoral student. What?!?! When did that happen? Didn't I start my studies yesterday? It has been an interesting couple of years with the upcoming year marking my arrival into Ph.D. candidacy (WHOOP!). Here's a little recap of my journey so far:

Year 1

During my first year as a Ph.D. student, I was still a full-time teacher. I decided I didn't have enough to do so I was also a cheerleading coach. Obviously, my focus was getting through introductory statistics and some core education courses, while helping write curriculum for my school, teaching pre-teen girls cheerleading stunts and dances, and shifting from TAKS to STAAR. To this day, I don't remember most of that year - just bits and pieces. 

STAAR-Worthy Memories:

- Telling my stats professor I fell asleep reading one of the articles he assigned. Oops.

- Competing with my students over study times, test grades, and writing papers (If I had to do it, so did they!)

- Submitting my first research proposals for a professional conference

For me, this year was just the beginning, slowly acclimating to graduate studies and finishing strong with my middle school babies.

Year 2

At the end of year one, I made the very difficult decision to leave the classroom and return to school full-time. My mentors had told me that in Ph.D. studies, courses are the LEAST of your concerns. Really, they are just a box you check for completion. The important stuff (a.k.a. what will get you a job) is research, conferences, and publishing. Taking their advice, I was now a full-time student again. This year has been long, but too short with more memories than I can count.

Memories that make being "a-poor-starving-graduate-student" worth it:

- Learning how to write, academically (thanks, Dr. G!)

- publishing my first article (WHOOP, October 2013!)

- attending my first professional conferences

- traveling for work!

- teaching my first courses

- being recognized for teaching (something I truly treasure)

- receiving funds for school

- being part of a research team

- working with students from the researcher point-of-view

- working on a grant

- submitting endless proposals to professional conferences 

- forming collaboration, writing, and accountability groups

- making new friends!

- realizing how important backing up files is! (The Great Computer Crash, November 2012)

What a year! I'm so excited to see what Year 3 brings!

Fuel the Fire...

I love my work, but every once in a while, I go through lulls. This crazy, busy summer has challenged me to write when I don't feel like it, find inspiration where things seem hopeless, and work during life and all its hiccups. There is still a solid 9 days of writing time in July, and I just set a new record, breaking the 60 hour mark...thanks, AERA proposals...

On Friday, I got to attend my writing group for the first time all summer. I was so excited to go, but hesitant to share my work. However, I was pleasantly surprised and received such good feedback. This feedback fueled my energy and drive to continue writing. I came home after writing group excited and motivated to write for the first time in a while! Never under-estimate the power of a good group and feedback.

After writing group, I got to enjoy the company of my group at dinner. While there, a colleague said something that didn't seem important at the time but has become more and more relevant as this weekend continued. She said, "In grad school, you have to worry about yourself. You can't be overly concerned with what other people are doing or you will go crazy."

I could not agree more. Grad school can become very cut-throat and competitive. I am often amazed at the audacity of things people say and do - although, I try to remind myself that we are all under a great deal of stress and that affects our judgment. In grad school, what you put into the process is what you get out of the process and everyone has different goals. If I tried to do everything that I saw the people around me doing, I would die of exhaustion.

I have found that collaborating with others gives you more opportunities while splitting the work load. However, it is also a good idea to have a few things that are just your own. Not only does this maintain your sanity, but it allows you to separate competition.

Fuel your fire. Get feedback. Talk to your support group. Worry about yourself. :)

Healthy Competition

During the last semester I have really struggled with the idea of accountability. I like to write. I love my work. I enjoy reading. It has never been difficult for me to get motivated to complete my work - except when the word is dreary or dull. However, when I started graduate school I constantly heard that I should join a writing group and build accountability for myself. Wanting to meet the expectations of graduate school, I inadvertently joined several writing groups. Just from knowing people, I became part of these groups.

Unfortunately, my productivity plummeted after becoming part of these groups. At first they were helpful, but I quickly became engrossed in the competition of the groups. Who could do more? Who did "enough"? The goal of the groups seemed to focus more on showing off rather than actual work (whether this is true or not is open to discussion, but this was my perspective). Soon I began to dread the groups and would avoid them. Only one group really kept me motivated, but I had trouble making it to those group meetings. I felt isolated. When I worked alone, I was VERY productive and enjoyed the work more. What was wrong? Was I doing something that needed changing?

After speaking with a trusted professor, I tired a few new strategies. Rather than using accountability groups that I did not draw motivation from, I relied on an accountability partner who I trusted. A healthy, natural competitiveness had evolved with this person, but neither of us had the negative feelings associated with competition. We could be happy for each other's successes and it made each of us want to achieve more. Through this competition, I was able to still write for a total of 54.6 hours during the month of June. That was amongst traveling every weekend, a family emergency, presenting at a conference, and submitting a manuscript! I'm so relieved and feel inspired again.

Accountability groups are important to success in academia, however, as a wise professor told me "when they cease to be beneficial, no matter the reasons, you have to get out". Finding a group that matches your goals, work style, and personality is one of the most important factors in accountability group success.

Accomplishment Lists > To-Do Lists

I love lists. I make lists every day - grocery, to-do, done, dreams, places I want to visit, books I need to read, songs to download. It goes on and on and on. The note feature on my iPad is littered with lists.

Almost a year ago, I started making to-do lists for each week and sharing them with my accountability group. The list held my goals and aspirations for the week; the things I wanted to get accomplished. Soon, however, I felt like the lists became a competition. Who could get more done? Who could get the most done? If my list only has three things on it, is that ok? I became very discouraged by the list. In an effort to remedy my waning enthusiasm, I started making daily lists instead of weekly lists. I was able to accomplish more this way, but I would go through days thinking, did I do anything? What did I accomplish? Sometimes, especially when working on large projects, it is difficult to see the results of our labors. We can't see progress as it is occurring  even though it is there.

Recently, I've changed tactics yet again...I'm not making accomplishment lists! I still have my long to-do list with aspirations, but each day, in my journal, I title a page "June 9th Accomplishments" (clearly the date changes each day). I don't write on this list what I want to accomplish, I write what I actually accomplish. AFTER, and only after, I complete a task, no matter how large or small, it goes on the list. That may be sending an email, editing one page of a paper, reading a chapter, updating my blog, walking the dog, whatever it is. Each day, I am then able to reflect on what I did rather than what I wanted to do but fell short on. It is such a relief and I can see how my projects are moving forward.

What did you accomplish today? Make an Accomplishment List and see how it goes! :)

Creating in the Middle

One of the greatest struggles for academics is balancing life and work.  I see this struggle already among graduate students and the lingering question follows us constantly: how can we enjoy the important things in life (family, friends, "the little things", our hobbies and interests) without sacrificing work?  A recurring theme has happened this week that might shed some light on answers to this not-so-rhetorical question.

Thank you to a wonderful professor who sent me a book chapter about creating in the middle this week!  This chapter gave some tips for meditating in order to focus on the task at hand, even when distractions surround you.  As I read the chapter, I realize that I do many of these things already when I am trying to focus myself, but it was great to have a vocabulary and resource to reference!

I'm currently reading Writing Places: The Life Journey of a Writer and Teacher by William Zinsser.  Last night, I came across a part of his book where he says that he never let his writing interfere with his life.  He never wrote in the evenings or on weekends - that was family time.  I loved reading that even a well respected professor and educator created boundaries for keeping work and life separate.

Currently, I am struggling with this divide.  I feel constant guilt at not giving my family and friends the attention they deserve due to my career aspirations.  I feel an equally strong tug to indulge in my interests, which are many and diverge from graduate school and work.

May has been a particularly challenging month, but I feel it has been my chance to prove I can "create in the middle".  It is almost the end of May, but I still have two celebrations left.  After 5 birthdays, 1 anniversary, 1 dissertation defense, finals, graduations, and other celebrations, I am relieved to see my writing log.  I haven't felt like I have worked this month at all because I have been so busy with the personal side of life.

Of the 31 days in May, I have been gone from my home for 16 of those days to visit other people for life celebrations.  I have to admit it has been fun, but how is anyone supposed to be productive?  Well, to continue Zinsser's Writing Places theme, I have written: at the beach, in a car (a lot!), late at night on friends' couches, in the country, and outside a movie theater.  This month, I have written in 8 different cities in Texas.  My writing log shows I have written over 40 hours this month (which is triumph all by itself!), and I have finished several large-scale tasks.

I don't claim to have it all figured out, and I certainly don't claim to know how to consistently create in the middle of life.  However, after this month, I feel I am well on my way to better understanding how to manage life and career.  May has been fun.  I was productive.  Best of all, I don't feel guilty for playing so much! :)

Please don't throw tomatoes at me...

...unless you mean Pomodoro!

Surprise, surprise, I have another confession.  Clearly, this blog is becoming the place where I atone for my misbehaviors as a writer, most often stemming from my stubbornness.  Anyway, for the past year, I have heard colleagues refer to a writing technique called "Pomodoro".  This technique is a way to monitor writing time without reaching the burnout stage.  (More information can be found here.)  The basic idea is to write for 25 minutes then take a 5 minute break.  After a few cycles of this, a 15 minute break is given.

Like I said, I've seen colleagues use this technique, but I never put much faith into it.  I've even worked beside colleagues who were using this technique and refused to play by the rules.  This past week, I attended a four-day writing workshop that once again mentioned this Pomodoro strategy.  Something in the way the instructor presented it struck a chord with me.  I thought, "hmm...that's interesting, maybe I'll try it."  I've tried it 3 times since then (including currently) and I love it!  Why do I now love it, you ask?  Simple.  I am a multitasker and this strategy allows me to be more efficient and do more!  (I'm not sure if that is the intended purpose of the strategy but it works for me!)

On Thursday, my house had reached cataclysmic levels of filth.  Something had to be done, but alas, I had writing to do!  I set the Pomodoro timer to 25 minutes and wrote.  During the five minute break, I thought, "hey, I can clean a few counters in 5 minutes," which is exactly what I did.  Then, I wrote for 25 more minutes.  During the next break, I said, "I can sweep part of the floor in 5 minutes".  This continued for 4 hours!  By the time I had finished, I had written extensively, finished my writing to-do list, and cleaned both bathrooms in my house!  It was magic.

The second time I tried Pomodoro, I took care of tedious little tasks I dislike like paying bills online, responding to emails, and such.  Once again, I got all my writing done (plus some extra) and completed the mundane tasks I don't like.  Today, I am integrating mini workouts with my writing.  Write for 25 minutes, workout for 5.  This appeals to my love of writing and dislike for working out but gets both things done.

As always, writing strategies amaze me.  The benefits of having a set writing time, using new strategies, and having a support system to guide me through the process really are the difference between success and failure.

Revised Food Pyramid

I have a confession: I have never considered myself a good writer.  I failed my 4th grade TAKS writing exam because I couldn't pass the written portion.  I distinctly remember being taught how to write in a remedial summer class when I was 17.  It was a glorious moment.  Sun rays fell from the sky.  The Rocky theme song played in the background.  I was one happy girl.

As a member of the Millenial Generation, success is fleeting and instant gratification are necessary to my progress.  I came to college, focused on English rhetoric, and became a creative writer.  When I entered my doctoral program, I once again faced obstacles in writing.  Academic writing scared me.  No flourish?  No exaggeration?  No sarcasm?  :(  Intensive writing training became my future, and I have since learned a thing or two.

Since I have learned some of the nuances of academic writing and have improved as a writer, I find myself needing to write.  When I don't write for a day or two, something twitchy starts happening in my eyes and fingers, and I get this deep-rooted anxiety.  It isn't the same anxiety I used to get of "oh no, that paper is already due!?!"  It's more like a "oh no, I skipped lunch and my body needs nourishment!"  Once I sit down to write, whether it is for academic or personal purposes, I instantly feel better.  My soul has been fed.  My writing nourishment for the day is complete.

In hopes of continuing on my writing journey, I've been reading William Zinsser's Writing to Learn for the past month.  Two quotes have really spoke to me: 

1. "Writing can get into the corners that other teaching tools couldn't reach."
2. "Revising helps the students to rethink."

These quotes sum up why my brain now needs writing daily.  First of all, writing allows me to reach places in my thinking, analyzing, critiquing, and planning that I could not get to alone.  Secondly, the process of editing, or revising, my writing forces me to rethink.  I must constantly prove to myself why things are correct or not correct.  

A wise researcher once said, "good writing is good teaching".  I am fortunate to dedicate my writing abilities to some teachers who helped me realize what I could accomplish with healthy writing habits.  Writing takes me places I could not go alone.  Writing allows me to explore.  Writing opens my soul to the world around me.  Writing bridges the gap between what I read and what I think.  Writing is powerful. 

Thanks to Zinsser's book, my great teachers, and a need to write daily, I have constructed the following letter to be sent to the USDA.  Writing should be part of a healthy life!

Dear USDA,

I am writing to propose an amendment to the current dietary guidelines for Americans.  I feel that an important component of daily nourishment is missing from the standards: writing.  Please consider including a daily dose of writing in the revised guidelines.

Sincerely, 
Concerned, but not-writing-malnourished graduate student

Location, Location, Location!

Grad school is monotonous sometimes.  It is fast-paced, but that speed does not always mean the requirements are new, interesting, or engaging.  Oftentimes along this journey, I feel run-down, overwhelmed, and disenchanted.  I have to remind myself that if it were easy, everyone would do it.  But, how can I temporarily overcome the bored, lackluster feelings so I can be productive?

To compound these feelings, I have lost enthusiasm for my favorite coffee shop.  I have loved this coffee shop for years, but it has become too popular, too unreliable, and too familiar.  While I love routines, I also have a longing for change to keep my brain stimulated.  Now, when I go to my favorite coffee shop, I see too many people I know, I find that the wireless Internet connection is hit or miss, and I just feel "blah" about the whole excursion.

Many of my grad school friends have gotten into the habit of telling each other when we are going to work in order to maintain accountability.  I have to admit, that while this started off positive for me, it is yet another thing that has made me less productive.  I'm an introvert.  I need my space and quiet time.  Yesterday, I felt very unmotivated and decided to try a mini experiment to squelch some of my negativity and concerns during this crazy-busy time.  I went to work at a new place and didn't tell a soul where I was headed.  It turned out to be the most productive three-hour time slot I have had in a long time.  I accomplished my entire daily to-do list, was completely motivated, and enjoyed my work.

Sometimes, motivation comes in the oddest forms.  For me, it was location.  A new location.  Fresh ideas.  No interruptions.  I got to work my own way, in my own style without the constant, unchanging eyes of my peers watching and judging that I am accomplishing enough.  It was pure bliss.  I feel that this experiment will be continued later this week with a new location - until I find a new permanent place.  Hopefully, it will serve coffee. :)

Where do you find your inspiration?

Inspiration: the desire to do something

This is my personal definition of inspiration.  Things that inspire me drive me to do something to the best of my ability.  In writing, inspiration is one of the key factors to success.  Without it, we fail as writers.  With it, we can accomplish a great deal.  Here is what inspires me with my writing:

1. Giving feedback

I absolutely love giving feedback to my peers!  Not only do I get to read other people's writing and see their faces light up with I praise them or give them a good suggestion, but I learn so much about writing, in general, through the process.  I have never given feedback to someone without walking away going, "I never really thought to say it this way," or "I liked how that person used this word [or phrase, or format, etc.]".  Bottom line - giving feedback fuels me with more tools to improve my own writing.  Plus, the warm, fuzzy feeling of helping someone be more successful isn't too bad either.

2. Getting feedback

This one is a little more scary for me.  It's downright nerve-racking sometimes to ask for feedback on something I have poured my heart and soul into.  In the back of my mind, I am always thinking, "This is the time they are going to realize that I'm a fraud and have no clue what I'm doing.  It will finally show".  I'm sure many people experience this nagging feeling of inadequacy.  With that thought reeling in my mind, nothing makes me happier or fuels my fire to write than hearing, "This is so clear!" or "You are such a creative writer" or some other derivative of positive feedback.  Even the smallest word of praise goes a long way.

3. Passion

Without a doubt, this one is the easiest inspiration to find.  If I am passionate about something, my desire and ability to write skyrocket.  Students.  Writing.  Reading.  My life.  My family.  Things that make me mad.  Things that make me happy.  Divine interventions.  These are easy topics for me to write about.  I can whip out notes, emails, blogs, papers, presentations, poems, short stories, or reviews at the drop of a hat for things I'm passionate about.  The trick with this, though, is to find something I'm passionate about even with writing I'm not passionate about (what I refer to as "silver linings").  

What inspires you to write? 

And remember (in honor of the title and subtitle to this blog): 

1. We're all just living on a prayer. 

2. Don't stop believing. 

Slowing Down Continued...

17.05 hours

That is what my April writing log claims is my running total as of 7:05PM on Sunday, April 7th.

In my last post I gave a list of the things I did Saturday morning rather than writing...well, no wonder my dog needed to be walked, my house was a mess, and I needed a break.  It's only been a week into April and I have written about half as much as I did all of March.  I've accomplished a helluva lot, but I'm a bit tired.  I'm very proud of myself for being so disciplined, especially when I can't figure out where an additional 17 hours of writing time came from this week. 

Silver Linings! :) 

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Slowing Down

Earlier this week, a professor of mine wrote a wonderful blog post about slowing down.  This semester I made the classic mistake of biting off more than I can chew and as a result, I've been struggling.  The silver lining is that I am writing more now than ever before, and it is pretty decent quality.  The not-so-silver lining is that I feel like I cannot get caught up.  After reading the post about slowing down, I decided to give it a try.

My to-do list for this weekend says:

Finish statistics summative exam

review article for a journal

finish rough draft of statistics paper

begin drafting methods section of content analysis paper (visit it for 1 hour)

complete edits for VFM manuscript

grade lesson plans my students turned in

read chapters for classes

upload quizzes to course website

review proposals for conference

(Please excuse my random short-hand.)

It's 3:21pm on Saturday and what have I done this weekend?

Answer: 

Went to the OPAS show of The Phantoms of the Opera and had a girls night last night

Did my grocery shopping for the week

Cleaned my house

Walked my dog

Did laundry

Had a 45-minute phone conversation with my best friend

Spent 2 hours revamping my blogs

Did at least one of those items include writing?  Yes.  Do I feel accomplished?  Absolutely.  Am I happy with the outcome?  You better believe it. 

I slowed down this weekend, took care of myself and my well-being, and I feel refreshed and ready to tackle some of that to-do list.  :)