For those who are NOT familiar with Stephen Covey's 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, you may want to check out this site for a quick overview. Sharpening the Saw is the 7th habit...
My question is, how do you sharpen the saw if you've misplaced it? That is exactly how I feel right now. Not only is my focus dull, I think I've lost it all together! When I was taking three 900-level courses, working 20+ hours a week, actively involved in leadership positions for four campus organizations...I was in bed by 2 am, up at 7, and ready to tackle my busy day. I had time for everything including spending quality time with John and yes, I had a social life. I was energized and at the end of the day, everything on my to-do list was crossed off. I even had the strength to write the to-do list for the next day. Where is that person? It certainly does not feel like I'm her! hahaha.
Earlier during my program, I met PhD students who were at the tail end of the journey. They've finished the classes, passed the horrendous qualifying exams, and collected their data. All they had left to do was write up the results and bam! They would be done. I'd see them go sluggishly through the motions, taking every drop of their strength to sit down and write the darn thing. And I thought to myself, "You're nearly done. Just get to it already. It can't be THAT hard. I mean, you've done 75% of the book already!" Now that I've hit the 75% mark...I realized just how difficult it is. I can't explain why it...it just is. I have never stressed out SO much and accomplished SO little in a day--everyday--for the past several months! So this is what the ABD slump is all about. God only knows how much I want to get myself out of this writing rut.
One month. That's all. By this date next month, I SHOULD be completely done. I should be walking away with a stupid grin and a piece of paper that verifies my new identity: Dr. Amelia Asperin. But before all that, I have one week. One week to get my final draft in to my committee. Somebody please find me the strength to get through this one week!!!
3 comments:
if there's anyone who can do it, it's you. as always with anything in life, it's either the birth pains or the final sprint, or both, that's the hardest. but you will sprint, and get to the finish line, then i'll be proud to say i have a batchmate who has a PHD!!!!! Woohoo!!!!!!!
I know you can finish it! (Or are you done already? ;-)
@dawn: thanks, girl! i needed that!
@mai: nearly done...at least i feel a little more confident now! haha. thanks!!!
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