7 S's to Spell Ph.D.

7 S's to Spell Ph.D.

It takes 7 S's to spell Ph.D.: Strategies for Dissertation Success

If you've been reading about the dissertation process for a while, you've learned some about the “how?” of completing various aspects of your dissertation- how to pick the topic, how to start the writing, how to manage your committee. This article deals with a bit of a different question- the question of “who?”. Who do you have to be to finish your dissertation and move on with your life?

Now, you might be wondering “why?” the “who?” matters. It matters because there are definite personality styles and traits that will serve you well in completing this massive project. This article presents the 7“S's” of dissertation success.

1) Self

Self refers to the quality of who you are. Are you generally a person who has finished projects in the past (I'm guessing you must be, otherwise you haven't made it this far!), are you a person who is flexible, adaptable, and able to sustain long-term action towards this goal?

Action Tip: Take a few minutes and think about how you can change your self perception to that of a person who will succeed in this project. Make a choice to hold onto this idea or belief or experience.

2) Strengths

Strengths refers to your natural capacities and capabilities. The most successful dissertation (or life!) experiences occur when you “play to your strengths”. So, if you're very skilled in certain areas, utilize these as much as possible- find creative ways of using your existing gifts and talents. [And yes, we all have them.]

Action Tip: Take a minute and quickly list out your strengths. Are you really good at working with people? With statistics? With synthesizing information? Begin to ask yourself how you can bring more of your strengths into your daily dissertation experience.

3) Structure

Structure refers to the framework you've created to make your dissertation a priority. If completing your dissertation is important to you (and it probably is, if you're still reading this far), create a structure that uses your strengths. The most successful people are those who can create an environment that allows them to be their absolute best.

Action Tip: Look around your environment. What steps could you take, today, to make your environment better? What would need to be different to provide you the structure to complete your dissertation?

4) Support

Support refers to having people in your life who are helpful and caring, and who believe in you and your capacity to complete the degree. This may be a writing group, your spouse, family, advisor, coach, therapist- anyone who believes in you and your skills. You will experience the greatest and easiest success when you have at least 5 supports in place.

Action Tip: Count up your support systems. Make a commitment to add, or find, at least one more support within the next 4 weeks.

5) Seeing

Seeing refers to developing the absolute knowledge that you will, indeed, complete your dissertation- that you CAN do this. It is easiest to experience “seeing” when you've put steps 1-4 in place. Know, absolutely, that many others have completed their degrees, and that you can do this, too.

Action Tip: Write some positive statements or affirmation type statements- anything that inspires you- and place them around your office, home, and work space. These will help to keep your vision strong.

6) Stick-to-it-iveness

Stick-to-it-iveness is another name for persistence. Developing the capacity to stay with this project, and keep asking useful questions (“how can I get this done?” not “what if I never get this done?”) is one of the biggest predictors of dissertation success. Stick-to-it-iveness often develops after “seeing” the goal, so the more you can strengthen your vision of completion, the easier it will be to stay with it.

Action Tip: Utilize inspirational stories of people who persisted in the face of overwhelming odds. Realize that “failure” or “criticism” is a guidepost on the road to success. Life is often marked by unsuccessful attempts- but success comes to those who keep trying.

7) Separation

Separation refers to the idea of recognizing that there is more to you than your dissertation. Each comment or criticism on your writing DOES NOT change who you are. What you DO is not who you ARE. The more you can recognize that you are a good, competent, and capable person- even when you receive difficult feedback- the easier your dissertation process will be. Don't take it personally.

Action Tip: Using the support system you have in place (see tip #5), ask the people on your team to provide you with a lot of caring, affection, and compliments. This will go a long, long way to softening any negative feedback or criticism you may receive. It is easier to separate from the dissertation when you have people who think you're great, no matter what.

Try implementing at least one of these tips today. With consistent practice of these principles, you, too, will spell Ph.D.