Six-Months-To-Doctor:-How-to-Complete-a-Dissertation-in-Six-Months

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Your Ph.D. dissertation doesn’t have to be Pretty Hard & Difficult – 4

Did you know that many doctoral candidates can spend more time fixing, revising, or editing their dissertations than they do working on the research and writing? I always wondered what that was about. What I discovered was that by communicating clearly with the members of your committee, you can get a clear idea of their expectations and meet them the first time around. You will still have editing to do, but you can limit the number of times your submissions are kicked back. That’s what I did and it worked very well for me.
Stay tuned to my website for more tips… www.DrJudiC.com
Feel free to ask questions.

Your Ph.D. dissertation doesn’t have to be Pretty Hard & Difficult – 3

If you were to conduct a Google search, you are bound to find countless listings for services offering dissertation assistance.  Many students have successfully used these services.  Once of the main things that we can learn from this new trend is that you don’t have to work on your dissertation. 

While many people are comfortable hiring someone to help them do some of the work, it is more difficult to reach out to others and “I need your help”.  During the time you are working on a dissertation, having a supportive network is one of the most important things you need in place.  It’s not just having people who are there to cheer you on, you need to also have people whom you can c all on for help.  Of-course you have to be able and willing to reach out and ask them to help you.  Having a string network will not just save you frustration, this can save a lot of time as well.

Stay tuned to my website for more tips… www.DrJudiC.com

Feel free to ask questions.

Your Ph.D. dissertation doesn’t have to be Pretty Hard & Difficult – 2

When you think of dissertation, many people think of this ginormous project with bells and whistles.  It is expected to be this major accomplishment and doctoral candidates expect that it would be grueling.  It is indeed all those things.  Completing a dissertation is a triumph, and I believe that anyone who makes it through should be very proud.  Somewhere along the years, we got it in our minds that a dissertation had to be extra hard.  It doesn’t.  The dissertation in itself is a great achievement.  It is indeed going to require much original work that only the candidate can do.  There are resources that are available that can help the process go smoothly.  It takes more time to fix something than to do it right the first time.  When working on your dissertation, get a lot of help to do every part right the first time.  Many student spend more time revising than they do writing their dissertations.  There are many people who are available and willing to help you.  I don’t mean an online service you buy either.  People on your campus and in your life who want to help you get your degree.  You just need to know how to benefit from that.  

Stay tuned to my website for more tips… www.DrJudiC.com

Feel free to ask questions.

Taking Pretty Hard & Difficult out of your PhD dissertation 1

The dissertation is the reason many doctorate students spend too much time s doctoral candidates or ABDs. Suddenly free of deadlines and due dates, many students find the “freedom” overwhelming. The lack of structure often makes it more difficult for candidates to set and follow in a specific direction. When faced with freedom and temptation from every direction on how to occupy this “free time” it’s very easy to get side tracked. If you can set and stick with a schedule, then you can give yourself a serious edge. With my clients I recommend keeping the schedule they had during classes. It’s already an established and dedicatee tome for school work. Stay tuned to my website for more tips… www.DrJudiC.com Feel free to ask questions.

Football, Basketball, Baseball – Gelling The Team For More W’s

As coaching continues to grow, more and more individuals are taking advantage of the opportunities it affords them. Many companies have greatly invested in coaching for their executives and in some cases other non-management teams. One of the benefits of coaching is that it helps the individual get beyond his personal hindrances and move towards excellence.
Many athletes in non-team sports have taken advantage of coaching to help improve their games. Unfortunately I don’t have confirmation thus cannot name a few beyond one of the Williams sisters who appeared in a Tony Robins infomercial. Recently I began working with an athlete who was a member of a team. This very talented individual definitely understands the game and has been able to demonstrate his physical and mental prowess in this are. His concern was that he felt that there was another level that he could be at, but was just not reaching. While he reported feeling this way for a while, he did not decide to take action until this feeling threatened his confidence.
During the weeks that we worked together, he began to identify the barriers that have been affecting his ability to “reach the next level”. He was able to explore the many things going on in and away from the game that were affecting his state of mind when he was playing as well as when he was not. As he reported, those were either not issues or they were at best issues that were “handled”. Many of us have these underlying things which we believe are non-issues and on the surface appear not to be causing any problems, but somewhere closer the core we find the deeply rooted behaviors, thoughts and attitudes that have resulted.
In our sessions we began address each of these “non-issues” until we reached a point where he felt comfortable that he was moving towards his goal. We both felt that he made some major breakthroughs. As a coach my goal is that my clients make changes that have more permanent impact, and learn skills that they will be able to tap into long after they have moved on from coaching. That is one reason I draw on my training as a mental health professional and experience with cognitive behavior therapy.
We had reached the point when we began discussing termination, but my client recognized the systems impact coaching could have. Instead of preparing to end his sessions, he decided to work on plan to get another member of his team to participate in coaching with him. This was an important step for my client because of several reason; one of which was that his rapport with that particular individual could significantly elevate the performance of both in the game. Another issue was how to get pass both of them being these big macho men, to one of them convincing the other to join him in participating in life coaching. The issue is still sensitive and inviting someone to join you in coaching is absolute a far world apart from inviting a couple of guys out for a beer.
When these two men began work on the team aspect of their coaching I began to notice the differences between the individuals and the similarities that strengthened between the teammates. As individuals they each had their own personal issues to work though, but as teammates they shared numerous common goals. The two learned to communicate with each other in a manner that facilitated their ability to not just notice what the other was doing, but also anticipate and interpret each other’s intent based on some key behaviors. Part of their learning included being able to express their expectations of the other and receive feedback; but as they completed these steps the two individuals became a unit within the team. The developed the type of bond that allowed them to consistently perform better even when the rest of their team was not performing as well.
Watching their game films became a new exercise as the three of us were able to discuss the clarity of certain nonverbal cues as well as when the team, having gelled so well could understand what was not said. At the start the two were individuals on the same team. After participating in a number of team coaching sessions, they have really become teammates, with a goal help their team as a whole arrive to where they are – on the road to surpassing excellence.
As a therapist I sought to involve the clients’ family and other significant people in their lives in their treatment. As coach, I still find that there is a great value in involving others in the client’s life to help them work toward their goals. After working with these two clients, I began to evaluate to benefits of this service to athletic teams. I found that similar to business teams; athletic teams that have greater rapport also tend to have better productivity. Whether on a field, on a court or in a boardroom, the ability to communicate is of utmost importance. Each member of the team’s ability to share and receive information from the other members has a potential to significantly impact the entire team’s performance. Therefore, just as businesses have brought in professionals to help with team-building and athletic teams would also benefit from availing themselves of these services.

How to boost a man’s self-esteem

Men’s sense of self is more often tied to abilities, they are more into what they can do. Whereas a woman can get a quick boost from a personal compliment, for a man, a compliment about a skill or talent is likely to lead to that same boost quicker. Please don’t mistake this to mean that men are not in tune with their inner selves, because many of them are. Many men have gone through the process of exploring the depth of their souls and come to appreciate who they are greatly. For those men, being able to see, appreciate and acknowledge that inner peace and confidence in him can go a long way. Of-course that would in most cases require knowing this person on deeper level and taking time to see those innermost qualities.
There are a few on the surface things that can help. Making a man feel needed is on that is often a sure fire way to get there. Unfortunately, today’s independent women have been chipping away at this little tool. You pay your own bills, can change your own tires or call AAA, and you will hire someone to mow the lawn on the house that you bought. Every now and again, though it would not be so bad to let him help with some of the manly stuff, like the car or something with the house. You know you could take care of it, but it’s nice to have him do it for you and he relieves you of the pressure or responsibility of having to handle it. One less thing to worry about.
This brings me to my next point. When a man does something for you, whether it is because you could not do it or because you allowed him to help, be appreciative. People want to help, but no one wants to feel unappreciated. No matter how little or how big the deed, it’s important that he knows that his efforts are appreciated. Otherwise he has no incentive to want to help again, and you will both be denying him the opportunity to step up and do more of these things that should make him feel great.
Rewards are great at any age. The last thing I asked of a man, was to come tighten the lug nuts after I changed a tire. Do you think after he came to do this in the middle of his workday that I planned something special for him? You better believe it! He needs to know that he is appreciated. Sincerely telling him is one ay, but it’s also nice to do things for him as well. And this does not mean going all out. It could be as simple as a special dinner that is planned with his preferences in mind. This is simple enough that it could be done for a friend or your man.
Treating a man special is something that is too often overlooked but is such a great tool. Many men will say that this is not their thing, but a spa day is such a great gift. The massage, the facial, the mani/pedi can all be tailored for the manly man (in my immaturity – I still laugh at the clear polish on the nails though). In today’s tougher economic time, it may not be as easy to afford the day at the spa, but providing all the services for him at home may work just as well.
Game day preparations are also a big hit for the sports aficionado. Whether you get everything ready and leave after you get his boys to come over, or it’s a party for two (if you’re WATCHING the game too); when you plan it with him in mind he will feel it.
Taking him to the game is one that can work with your man or any other male in your life. A day about him, where he is picked up (you do the driving no matter how far) and you take care of everything until you drop him home. When you go through the trouble of making a day about someone, that says “I think you are important”, and it validates this person’s place in your life. He will also be thinking “I must really be important for someone to go through all the trouble of planning a day for me”, and that will have a positive impact on his views of self as well. Everyone wants to feel that they matter.
Looks are important too. Just as a woman likes to hear that she’s beautiful when she gets all dolled up, and man will enjoy that too. Men also put forth the effort to smell nice, so when he does smell nice that should also be complimented. Smiles, teeth, eyes and whatever else comes up are also good targets for compliments as well. The catch to making the most impact with a compliment is to lead with it. When a person compliments you first, there is that rule of politeness that you feel the need to return it. No matter how genuine the returned compliment, sometimes it can feel less than heartfelt or you run the risk of the person thinking that you were just returning their compliment. When you lead with a compliment, there is not as much wiggle room for the interpretation of your intent – It’s a compliment.
During the harder times, things get a little tricky. For instance, in these economic times when there are many men who are unemployed. If yours is one of them it’ll be hard on both of you. To start, you may need a book of affirmations (I’m only partly joking with this one). If your man is at that stage he may need you now more than ever, because when he doubts, he needs you to believe in him. He needs to know that you are behind him no matter what. These are the times for the SILENT sacrifices; when you have to pass on something you want, and not complain about it. This is when you don’t go to the concert and plan a nice romantic evening at home instead. It will be hard to work the extra hours and then come home to look over his new cover letter, but your devotion will motivate him to keep trying.
It is true that actions do speak louder than words, but words can also be very powerful. As a therapist, when working with children who were aggressive and getting into fights, I remember teaching them this statement “hands are for helping, not for hurting”. They would memorize it and eventually we got to where they would say it either out loud or just think it when they were angry and wanted to hit someone. This technique took time but once mastered had a good success rate. Adults do get into the physical altercations as much but they can be hurtful with their words. Sometimes it is out of anger or just a purely unintentional slip, but once the words are out they cannot be put back in. The best measure is place a filter between the thought and the verbalization.
Try this exercise that can be used with anyone in your life. When you get ready to say something take a moment to evaluate the potential impact of the words you are going to say. As you do this you will remind yourself “words are for helping, not for hurting”. If you find that the words you were ready to utter are not going to help the person, take a second to find a more positive response before you speak. Use words to empower him. The intent should always be to build him back up, not bring him further down.

Five things you can do:
1. Tell him you believe in him.
2. Show and tell him that he is appreciated.
3. Acknowledge his successes.
4. Wish him well when he’s down, if you pray tell him you pray for him.
5. Remind him how great he is.

 

I’m just saying though…

Dream Big… Live Bigger…
DrJudiC
www.DrJudiC.com

And now, the shameless plug to stay on http://www.blogsurfer.us … Gotta get that traffic.

The Recession Budget Stretcher

The economy is slowly making a come back but no matter what anyone chooses to call it, we have been going through a recession.  From the top to the bottom of the economic ladder, we have all been impacted on some level.  The good news is that there are some minor adjustments that we can make to help alleviate the strains.

I think it was on the radio that I recently heard talks of a person who’s Food stamps have been cut down to just about 30%.  The discussion that was taking place was about how she and others in the same predicament were not asking for an increase, they just did not want the cut.  I agree.  $400 is not enough to buy food for the moth for a family with children.  I further agree that $150 is a nearly impossible grocery budget for a family with children.  The fact is, everyone has less to work with.

Take a state like Florida for example.  When people around the country have less disposable income, they are likely to spend less on vacations (shorter trips, less expensive hotels and so on).  This means that the taxes coming in are less.  With the current state of the housing market, property taxes coming in have also been reduced.  If people don’t have the funds to pay more taxes, the state can impose and increase taxes, but that only reduces likelihood that people will pay.  If the state does not have money, budgets will have to be cut.  It’s just a fact of life.

One place you can do more with less is the store.  Here are a few little tips that can help.  When times are tough waste is even less desirable.  Because of this, it is important that you get quality products that will not be ruined before it is fully used.  This does not just apply to groceries, but to anything that is purchased.  If you buy the detergent that requires a second wash it is waste and counters the “savings”. 

During the few minutes between games today I decided to go grocery shopping.  I got much of my groceries from Wal-Mart SuperCenter.  While at the store I noticed a sea of white and blue.  That’s the new packaging color for Great Value, which is the Wal-Mart store brand.  I’ve been buying many things from the Great Value (store brand on the food side) and Equate (the store brand for other products) lines for several years.  My Equate lotion works just like the Lubriderm I used to buy, but I pay about $2 less.  Now I buy the Great Value Vanilla Twist which tastes just like the Vanilla Oreos I used to buy.

For many people the hesitation was based on the history of generic brand items which were of lesser quality.  Now the quality is the same, but many people still buy certain things for their Name Brands.  While I was in the store, I heard someone complaining about how she was not getting enough money on her EBT card (that’s the food stamp card) to get what she needs.  I saw her more than once and observed that we were getting many of the same things: milk, juice, cereal, snacks, frozen pizza, pasta, pasta sauce, tortillas, breakfast items and a few more.  As we neared the register, I saw that look from her again as she looked at the sea of white and blue in my cart.  Hers was very colorful: lots of bright reds and other enticing colors.  In the end eight out of my 28 items were brand names.  These were items that either did not have a Great Value option or I did not like the Great Value rendition.

On average, the difference between the store brand and the other brand named product is $0.50 to $1.  On some items the difference goes up to $2 or higher.  I spent $65 on groceries today.  Based on the price differential on the items that I purchased, I estimate that I saved over $15.  Most people who know me would say that I am VERY picky, which leads me to believe that the quality and taste of the products that I buy must actually be good, and it’s not just my imagination.

As an organization, I’m not very fond of Wal-Mart.  Though I have not looked into the company this year, but based on information as recently as 1-2 years ago, they did not treat their employees or suppliers well.  They were pretty much taking advantage of everyone they dealt with in order to be able to buy things at rock bottom prices and sell it back lower than their competitors could even imagine.  I don’t appreciate that and have refrained from shopping there whenever possible. 

For their customer; Wal-Mart has and continues to step up in a big way.  The most recent thing they have done for their customers is expand the Great Values line.  Today, customers have many more options.  It seemed like almost every item had a Great Value option and more continue to come.  A while back I saw that Great Value started to carry Vanilla Oreos.  At Wal-Mart, Oreos are $2.50 on sale but usually $2.98 (I think), but under the Great Value brand they are sold for $2 regularly.  Today I saw that they are making Lactaid.  Last summer I painfully purchased a half gallon of Lactaid for $4.50.  This summer the price has thankfully come back down to $3.38.  They don’t have the one I use just yet, but I see that Great Value is making Lactaid and it is being sold for $2.98.

Store brands are very easy to spot.  You simply look for the item and brand that you want, and look next to it.  Most of the time, the name of the store is on the packaging.  The second step is a side-by-side comparison of the ingredients of the store brand and the brand name you wanted.  Since they are usually made by the same company, you should find that the list of ingredients is pretty much identical.  The list should also be in the same order, indicating that the amount for each ingredient is similar in both products. 

In addition to buying store brands, there is also the possibility to save with quantity.  I was looking at a 16 ounce box of spaghetti that was priced a $1; but next to it was the 32 ounce box for $1.78.  Knowing that I will use the entire box before it expires, I can buy the larger box and save.  Of-course the math is not always that easy, but it is worth it to take a couple seconds and do the math to see if there is an opportunity to save by buying lager.  Another benefit to this method is that if you buy a double box instead of single, you also save time and other resources by not having to return to the store as often.  I also understand that money may be an issue for some people.  In that case I would recommend doing this gradually.  Instead of buying the larger box of pasta and peanut butter, get some this time and more next week.  Eventually you will reach the point where you purchase certain things every other trip and can take advantage of the savings.  Always look for the difference in price and ensure usability before you buy.

Remember, quantity is another factor that can lead to waste.  Buying too much can cause a situation where things will be ruined before they are used.  Larger quantity should only be purchased if it can be consumed during its shelf life or at least frozen to extend shelf life.  Otherwise it’s just paying more for no reason.  If you’re going to go through the trouble of buying extra, it is important to do the math to make sure that there is a saving.

This is not an endorsement for Wal-Mart or the Great Value brand by any means.  The intent of this piece was to remind readers of the little steps that can make a big difference.  My savings today were 25% of what I spent, and I don’t have to go shopping next week, because I took advantage of larger size savings where possible.   Now that lady can look at my cart funny while she complains that her foodstamps don’t reach far enough, but I can still buy 25% more.

I’m just saying though…

Dream Big… Live Bigger…
DrJudiC
www.DrJudiC.com

And now, the shameless plug to stay on http://www.blogsurfer.us … Gotta get that traffic.

Boost your Self-esteem – Nurture your talents

We’ve all heard the saying “if you don’t use it, you loose it”. In most cases that is not exactly true, but in some way it may be. We all have great talents within us, but too often the demands of everyday life lead us to put them aside. As children, many of us had these great talents that we “outgrew” when we chose to follow more practical routes. The truth is more practical does not always mean better. And choosing the “practical” does not have to mean giving up on the enjoyable.
These talents provide many necessary parts of our lives that are often overlooked. By continuing to nurture a talent individuals also find an opportunity to also experience personal growth and improve self-esteem.
The first is the opportunity for growth. As you nurture your talents the skill level will undoubtedly improve. This is not to say that by continuing to practice the piano every one can become the next Mozart, rather that over time and with practice, they will play better. In order to do this, you have to find opportunities to continue developing your talents. If as a child you sung well, this may be you great talent that that needs to be nurtured. Take the time to practice. Singing along with the radio can be great, but in most cases you would then be trying to sing with/like the artist you are singing with and not developing your own voice and sound.
When lessons are possible and finances allow, take a lesson or two, to get the basics and add some structure. This will provide motivation to keep going. The better you get, the better you will feel. The better you feel, the more motivated you will be to work harder and get better. If you were a visual artist, the same principles will apply. Catch 22? Just little.
The point is, whatever that talent used to be that inspired you as a child, it could still have the same impact if you allow it. As you develop your talents, there is a level of growth that you will experience as you learn more about your craft and about your self. This will boost confidence in your skills as well as capabilities. Practice doesn’t make perfect, but it makes better and provides more opportunities to learn and get even better at what you do. In that process you will also grow as you discover more about your abilities, great skills and learning styles and even what make you tick or pleases you. What better way to uncover your learning styles could there be? Or even better, can you imagine all the other things you will achieve when you know the best way for you to learn? This can be helpful on a personal and professional level.
Continuing to grow in your craft will also lead to a continuation of personal growth. Without fail, personal growth is bound to lead to an increase in confidence and higher self-esteem. Wonder how it work?
Well as you experience personal growth, you start to learn more about yourself and start to appreciate more of your greatness. You can discover some unique attributes that were previously hidden or ignored. The more good things you know about someone, the more you tend to like them… that goes for yourself too. Even if you were to discover some not so great things about you, who you are growing personally, you will be inclined to work on these potential blemishes, and even that will make you feel good.
Now let’s say by some fluke none of the above happened for you (though very unlikely). What then? Well then you would have had a ball trying. So either way you still win. So how about it? What hidden talent will you nurture?

I’m just saying though…

Dream Big… Live Bigger…
DrJudiC
www.DrJudiC.com

And now, the shameless plug to stay on http://www.blogsurfer.us … Gotta get that traffic.

The Seven Habits of Highly Successful People – Developing Habits

They say youth is wasted on the young.  Some times I wonder about that statement.  I purchased this book during my first semester of college, as a requirement for my First Year Seminar.  I bought it like all my books at that time, because my scholarship provided funding for books.  Luckily I’m a packrat with a lot of space so I was able to keep it all these years.  I have gone through this book several times in recent years and continue to have some aha moments each time I pick it up.  Today was the realization that I recognize something new each time I open it. As a college freshman I did not take full advantage of the opportunity that was before me, when I read it again later I was able to see the potential of these lessons.

The first and most important thing about these seven habits for me was that they were all for the most part internal.  It’s all things that the individual could take charge of and achieving once they decided they wanted it. And of-course committed to it.  Success behaviors, once they become a habit, are able to translate into the desired success.  Stephen Covey defines habits as “the intersection of knowledge, skill and desire”.  He continues to say “Creating a habit requires work in all three dimensions” (p. 47).  This could not be more true, and this to is internally motivated.

Can I do this is different from I can do this.  One of the primary differences is that one question and one asserts.  This also means that with one statement opportunity is left for doubt to come in and potentially limit possibilities.

Desire is one of our greatest resources, and with enough desire the possibilities are endless.  With a strong enough desire, knowledge and skill are attainable; although I am not sure how true the reverse will be.  Many people can remember a time when there was something they really wanted and their parents were starting to implement the “if you want it you have to earn it”.  Yes what a nightmare that was.  But the more important memory should be of how far and how much you were willing to work to get it.

Developing a habit is a simple process, though not without difficulties.  If there is the desire the other two components suddenly become more attainable.  Desire is the drive that will push you to get things done.  That is what will make you stay up to finish that last project or read the last page.  This is the reason that when people seek success or financial freedom, it is best that they seek to use what they are passionate about to fuel this desire.  What the passion will do is keep you interested. 

Take for example the many Multilevel Marketing opportunities or Real Estate Books or CD packages that are available and tout financial freedom in no time.  These programs are offered to everyone and encourage everyone to take advantage of these opportunities… Ever wondered why they work for some but not all as is promised… One of the reasons is the lack of passion.  Unless they are truly passionate about that what they are doing.  They are therefore not as motivated to go above and beyond and do what it takes.  I started writing this but got caught up in other stuff, but the other day a friend gave me copy of an overview on CD.  So this is my queue to finish the blog series I planned.  So look forward to that in the coming days…

I’ll go though each habit.  A reminder for those who read it and a taste for those who haven’t.  I believe that these habits a have the potential to help people move mountains if they have a desire to get to the other side.  As Keith Harell would say, let’s go from part-time Positive to full-time Positive.

Pardon the shameless plug… I’m tying to stay on http://www.blogsurfer.us … Gotta get that traffic.

I’m just saying though…

Dream Big… Live Bigger…
DrJudiC
www.DrJudiC.com