Happy Doc Student Podcast

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Dr. Jules (Julie Conzelmann) educates us on the value of an editor and how to find a good one!

Some Universities have policies and/or guidelines related to hiring outside help. Please refer to these documents and consider discussing this choice with your Chair.

Academic writing at the doctoral level is a different “style” of writing and most struggle with this. 

A good editor will save you:

• Time (the clock is ticking, even while you sleep!)
• Money (you won’t be re-enrolling in courses due to numerous re-rewrites) 
• Effort (revisions are emotionally draining and kill your motivation)

Things to keep in mind:

• Be ethical  - this is your document, not the editors 
  • You are NOT looking for a re-write
  •  Your academic voice must remain
• Your editor is NOT a part of your committee
  •  Your editor corrects the writing, formatting, and references
  • The committee guides and approves your content
•  It’s difficult to edit your own writing and this is not the committee’s job
  •  But it is their job to let you know what isn’t clear
• Using a good editor will expedite the review of your papers and keep the people reviewing your paper focused on your content 
  • Think of your editor as a writing tutor

When to get your document edited:

• After your committee has approved and before it goes for formal university review (Proposal and Final Document stage)

 What to keep in mind when looking for an editor:

• Remember: No one is perfect!
•  Scrutinize credentials and experience (certifications, teachers, etc.)
• You can seek out leads on multiple forums
•  Interview people – you are the BOSS!
• Make sure you have referrals (see resources below)
• Is formatting included? (do they know the style you need to use? Are you using a template, and do they know how to work with that?)
•  Will all errors be edited? (e.g., anthropomorphisms, verb tense, grammar, punctuation, etc.)

Bottom line: An editor can be the best thing to happen to you during the dissertation writing process. However: Buyer beware! Do your homework before hiring one. 

How to connect with Dr. Jules (and find a great editor!):

Dr. Jules on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drconzelmanncopyeditor/

Doctoral Dissertation Cohort/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/301089466349

Doctoral Scholar Community Connection/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/376169072958256

Keep it Simple Scholars/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Keep-it-Simple-Scholars-by-Dr-Jules-1101217903251116

 Books by Dr. Jules:

• Keep It Simple Scholars! Volume 1: A Basic Guide for Writing and Editing Dissertations and Theses https://amzn.to/3657lar
• It

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Dr. Scott Burrus was All-But-Dissertation (ABD) for almost a decade! He is now a Provost and Chief Academic Officer. In this episode, he talks about limiting beliefs, how to identify them, and then change them into a belief system using four steps that will get you unstuck.

Are YOU what is standing in your way? With just small pivots the Universe will respond.

Beliefs might be:

·      I don’t have time

·      My family needs me 

·      I’m not smart enough

·      I’ve already failed at this

 The 4 Steps:

1.     Identify your limiting beliefs

2.     Identify how these beliefs impact your life

3.     Envision a new reality

4.     Shift the beliefs 

#1 Identify your limiting beliefs. Ask yourself: What is keeping me from completing this degree? Write down everything you can think of (e.g., excuses) and catalog what is holding you back (write it down).

#2 Identify how limiting beliefs are impacting your life. Ask yourself: How is not completing this degree limiting me? Write these things down. Really dig deep and look at the relationship between our belies. 

#3 Envision a new reality. Ask yourself: What do I want to be doing in 3-5 years? Think as grand, amazing, and ridiculous as you possibly can. What do you want for your future?

#4 Shift the beliefs. Ask yourself: Where did these beliefs come from? Are they true? How can I change them? Understand your beliefs are not truth; they are something you can over-write with new ones. Replace the beliefs that don’t serve you with ones that do. 

Get a journal – there is something magical about writing things down (try it!)

Surround yourself with affirmations, quotes, and words of encouragement that positively shift your beliefs to constantly remind you that you are replacing limiting beliefs with empowering beliefs. 

“A belief is a thought you just think a lot.” Abraham Hicks 

Dr. Burrus’s shared quote: “If I have seen further, it is by standing on the shoulders of giants.” Isaac Newton

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Estimates are that 50% of those who start a doctoral program do not finish and most of those who “stop out” do so at the dissertation writing stage. 

Dr. Todd Fiore, Director of Quality for Graduate Studies discusses the “shift” from course work to ABD (all but dissertation). 

Why is independent research so hard? Why aren’t students prepared?

There is an expectation that students know what to do, but they don’t. Self-doubt is prevalent because most people have not completed a dissertation/doc project before. 

Advice

·      Realize independent research (that requires many, many, many revisions) is VERY different from typical coursework 

·      Take time to understand the steps in your program (usually this will be in a Handbook)

·      Build a strong network of advisors and peers (because not one person will have all the answers)

·      Don’t be afraid to ask questions, especially asking your Chair “what comes next?”

·      It will likely take more time than you think it will (so get good at planning your time – see Podcast #7 with Mark Woods (The Myth of Time Management)

·      Humble yourself (you will be getting critical feedback) 

·      Do not REACT when you get critical feedback; welcome the opportunity to gain a deeper understanding and improve your document

·      Communicate with your social network that you won’t be as available as you used to be

·      Consider creative ways you can take time off work to write

·      Find something that sparks joy for you and integrate it into your writing process – for example, create a playlist

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In this episode, we discuss the importance of recognizing chronic stress in the doctoral journey and how to use functional mushrooms to support your stress response and bring the body back into balance so it can heal itself.

My guest is Danielle Ryan Broida  is a Registered Herbalist (RH) of the American Herbalists Guild (AHG) and certified holistic nutritionist. Dianelle has found her calling as an Instructor of Mycology at Colorado School of Clinical Herbalism, and National Educator at Four Sigmatic. She brings her passion and expertise in herbal medicine, clinical practice, teaching, formulation, and her deep love for fungi, to the Everyday Magic™ of Four Sigmatic.

Bonus insight: Be open to where the universe is taking you during the process. Ask: What lights you up right now? And do more of that. 

What are functional mushrooms? They are under the herbal umbrella of ancient remedies; essentially the use of mushrooms as medicine. Benefits include better mood, stronger immune function, gut health, reduced anxiety/depression, increased cognitive functioning, etc. 

Fungi are their own kingdom (and this kingdom is massive!). They activate our vital life force and help regulate our stress response. They are vitalists that get to the root and give the body the ability to heal imbalances. Rather than simply treating a symptom, they go straight to the cause.

Mushroom supplements are most commonly found in the “immune” section of a natural food store. They are immune modulators versus stimulators (like goldenseal, echinacea, spilanthes). Stimulators are OK but tricking your system long term (a week or more) can be dangerous.

Modulation means the mushrooms will either stimulate OR suppress immune activity, depending on the needs of the body ingesting it. These things are intelligent! 

Functional mushrooms are not illegal (they do not contain psylocibin).

Tips on using functional mushrooms:

·      Form is less important (tea/coffee, smoothie, tincture), pick what is easy for you!

·      Extraction/Extracted is a keyword (more potent)

·      Consistency is key (at least 3-6 weeks)

·      Should be from the fruiting body

·      Should be log-grown or wild-harvested not grown on cereal or grain (rice, oat, etc.)  

·      Dosing – you need to know what you are getting to know how much to ingest. With a good product, start with 500-1500 milligrams a day. Get intuitive and listen to your body. Build up or down based on how your body responds. 

Reishi (“chill”) – Queen of Mushrooms, ranked #1 and is the most studied. Reishi is your best friend for all things stress-support. Today we are bombarded with stressors, which floods the body with stress hormones. When we are stressed, we don’t get proper messages (it is as if all the other systems go on airplane mode). Reishi gets everything back online.

Lion’s Mane (“think”) – Lion's main if your brain’s best friend. Helps will cognitive function because it activates nerve growth factor. It supports your ability to focus. 

Want to skip the research and go straight to a great product?

Foursigmatic.com discount code: HAPPYDOC

Want

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No family time? Missing out on social events? Is leisure a joke? Are you feeling resentful that others have joy in their lives? Is this situation leaving you cranky and ready to throw in the towel?

In this episode, Jodie Hemerda shares her story. She had a proposal and was in a wonderful nurturing space but was ready to throw in the towel…can you relate?

How to crawl out of the hole?

1.     Revisit WHY you are doing this degree program. Need help remembering? 

• Journal
• Talk to your support system
• Sign up for the 7-day email adventure at ExpandYourHappy.com

2.     Take a step back and remember the dissertation/doctoral project is simply an academic exercise.

3.     Find a way to ask for help. Put your ego and pride aside. Even if you are simply saying: I am stuck and don’t know what I need to get unstuck.

4.     Lean into those uncomfortable edges.

5.     Tap into your resources – books you have read, the people around you. 

6.     Understand your committee doesn’t have all the answers. It will be messy. You will fumble. This creates discomfort for everyone. The committee must create a safe space for all to be candid about what their expertise and isn’t.

7.     Have regular meetings with your Chair (don’t be the stubborn student) and be OK with hard conversations.

 8.     Remember to be curious; welcome in a sense of wonder.

9.     Be familiar with any Handbooks, Templates, etc. that your University provides. 

10.  Trust the process.  

Embrace the experience as a way to transform you. The process is full of self-growth and there is no template for that. Allow the magic to come through these difficult moments.

You will move from a paint-by-numbers setting to being a full-fledged artist. 

Resources mentioned in the podcast by Dr. Hemerda:

·      The Dissertation and Research Cookbook: From Soup to Nuts - a Practical Guide to Help You Start and Complete Your Dissertation or Research Project by Marilyn K Simon and J. Bruce Francis

·      Little Green Books by Sage Publishing

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#6 The Myth of Time Management with Mark Woods

In this episode, I speak with Mark Woods, the author of Attack Your Day Before It Attacks You. 

We don’t manage time. We execute activities. Stop focusing on managing time and get conscious about the types of activities you want to execute. The skills Mark teaches are skills that will help not only doctoral students but anyone working from home with others or working as part of a virtual team. 

Do you feel overwhelmed? Stressed? Burnt out? The biggest challenge we have today is work-life balance.

Three gifts we ALL get each day:

1.     Time

2.     Personal Energy

3.     Choice

Skill #1. Color your choices – Activities are never neutral; they impact your life in a positive or negative way. 

Before you engage in any activity, when you get interrupted, and/or when you hear a notification -  Ask yourself: What color is this?

Red: STOP. These are activities that require you to STOP; must be taken care of ASAP. 

Green: GO. Activities that are valuable and enhance your life/project. 

Yellow: CAUTION. This is a bit tricky and requires making a decision – these are things that likely need to be done but not right away. Does this activity add value? Does it align with my current goal(s)?

Grey: NO. Time suckers; don’t have high value to work or personal life. TV, cat videos, etc. Too much of a good thing is often a bad thing.

Productivity Tips: 

Under plan your day: Most people over-plan their day (try tracking your time to see how far off you are). Pick the TOP three. Practice tracking your time; it’s an eye-opener!

Planned Spontaneity: Planning when you will do a “grey” activity, how long you will spend on it, and then hold yourself accountable. This will help you be MINDFUL.

Turn off notifications? YES! Because each notification is an interruption and the amount of time it takes to refocus post an interruption is about 15 minutes! Not needing to refocus will give you more TIME! Use airplane mode when you are writing. 

The other skills (to be discussed on future episodes):

#2: Arranging

#3: Tracking

#4: Flexicute

#5: Focus

Find Mark at: Attackyourday.com

·      New book releasing early 2021; pre-order now 

·      Accountability membership program

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Drs. Linnea Rademaker, J. Scott Shelf, and Peter Williams discuss their podcast: DOC101 - a podcast for doctoral students and those who love them!

Ideas covered:

·      The motivation behind the DOC101 podcast  - discussing the hidden curriculum and providing a mechanism for vicarious learning 

·      Why talking about the experience (which, yes, may include multiple types of abuses) normalizes it, creating the opportunity to find joy in the process

·      De-mythologizing the doctoral process

·      Mindset, cognitive dissonance (how is it that the more you know the more you don’t know?), social support

·      How residential programs differ from online programs, especially in terms of sub-text 

·      The emotional journey and the importance of developing social-emotional skills

·      Factors related to the success of a doctoral student, especially the relationship between the student and the Chair

·      How to balance the frustration of a challenging task with the joy of mastering something that’s difficult to master

·      How podcasts connect people in an otherwise isolating environment via storytelling 

·      Acknowledging that humans are not very great at telling our narratives in an adaptive way

·      Transformation hurts – it’s normal (but it’s a good kind of hurt)

Episodes discussed: Episode 1 Communication with your Chair: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/doc101/id1502759623?i=1000468340133

Episode 3 Writing = Thinking: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/doc101/id1502759623?i=1000468340141 

Episode 4 Social Support Networks: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/doc101/id1502759623?i=1000468340140

Episode 13 Getting Paid (with Dr. Rose Opengart): https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/doc101/id1502759623?i=100048467074

Episode 14 Crazy Walls and Literature Reviews: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/doc101/id1502759623?i=1000486249277

Episode 15 Valuing the Literature Review (with Dr. Larry Machi): https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/doc101/id1502759623?i=1000487663507

Episode 18 Of Figs and Simplicity: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/doc101/id1502759623?i=1000493787141 

Episode 22 Speaking Theoretically: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/doc101/id1502759623?i=1000501373832

Dr. Rademaker’s Podcast: Action Research - Global Conversations
https://anchor.fm/l

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Note: This interview was a bit over 40 minutes long and will be released in all its glory as a YouTube in early 2021. Please check my website for updates on the release of the Happy Doc Student YouTube channel: www.expandyourhappy.com

Books mentioned (authored by Maureen St. Germain):

Be the Genie 

Flower of Life (will be re-released in April 2021)

Opening the Akashic Records

Maureen’s website: www.MaureenStGermain.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stgermainmaureen

Movie in your Mind

1.     Think about your biggest goal. NOTE: It’s important to go beyond getting the degree (see math below). Do not envision yourself at graduation but go past this event. What is the wildest dream that you imagine after you become a doctor?

2.     Pick a person you are close to, but you don’t talk to often

3.     Imagine a conversation - this is KEY because it goes beyond just thinking about it; the mental conversation lights up something that could happen making it “real”.

a.     They ask you: How is it going?

b.     You recount your accomplishment

c.     They respond (feel yourself smile; allow yourself to giggle).

d.     They ask: HOW IS YOUR LIFE NEW AND DIFFERENT?

e.     Get specific – emails, pride, finances; FEEL what it feels like  - envision your story.

f.      Continue this mental conversation allowing it to take on a life of its own.

Tips 

·      Pay attention to your body when you talk about your goals. 

·      Do this at night before bed so that you can call in that energy during your dream time to support you. Focus on HOW DOES IT FEEL? Ask yourself: How does it feel now that I have?”

·      If feeling is difficult, identify something similar that you did accomplish and go one day past that. For example, how did it feel when you were awarded your Master’s degree? Or when you passed a licensing exam?

For those interested in math and/or sacred geometry, check out: Fibonacci sequence and the Golden Mean (phi). Phi is the ratio we prefer; it explains much in the Universe and explains why going beyond the event works for manifestation. This is a demonstration using the two numbers Maureen spoke about in the interview, but I encourage you to get out your calculator and try it for yourself. 

5, 2000 (5 + 2000 = 2005)

2, 2000, 2005 (2,000 + 2005 = 4005)

2, 2000, 2005, 4005 (2005 + 4005 = 6010)

2, 2000, 2005, 4005, 6010 (4005 + 6010 = 10015)

2, 2000, 2005, 4005, 6010, 10015 (6010 + 10015 = 16025)

2, 2000, 2005, 4005, 6010, 10015, 16025 (10015 + 16,025 = 26040)

2, 2000, 2005, 4005, 6010, 10015, 16025, 26040 (16025 + 26040 = 42065)

2, 2000, 2005, 4005, 6010, 10015, 16025, 26040, 42065 (26040 + 42065 = 68105)

2, 2000, 2005, 4005, 6010, 10015, 16025, 26040, 42065, 68105 (42065 + 68105 = 110,170)

2, 2000, 2005, 4005, 6010, 10015, 16025, 26040, 42065, 68105, 110170 (110170/68105 = 1.618)

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In this show:

1.    Why self-care is so important 

2.    A new definition of self-care

3.    Why I believe most don’t have a daily practice (and it’s probably not what you think!)

4.    Three traits of a successful practice 

Stress negatively impacts your body and your mind. If you’re stressed, you don’t think clearly. Self-care practices are related to less stress and a calm and clear mind (read: Better dissertations in less time with less stress!)

Gem #1: Adopting a simple self-care practice is the single most powerful thing you can do to unleash your genius

A calm and clear mind allows you to research more efficiently, think critically, write better, respond rather than react to feedback, and maintain harmonious relationships in and out of the school setting. 

Basic definition - Things we do to take care of our health, especially during times of stress (but so few do).

 Why don't we do it? 1) Ability, 2) Resources, 3) Lack of Joy 4) Time 

 Gem #2: A self-care practice expands time

How? A calm and clear mind allows you to tap your intuition which will guide you in managing activities. We cannot manage time, we can only manage activities and your intuition will help you do this (Check out episode #6 for more details on this point).

Try it: https://youtu.be/M4xXa6N7OnE

Why don’t we do it? Hidden in the belief that you don’t have time is that self-care is a selfish act.

Gem #3: As a species, most humans are short on self-love, the fuel that motivates a self-care practice. 

Picture a rocket going into space. Self-love is the rocket fuel that motivates you to practice self-care. When you do that, you can blast off to your genius best and highest self.

Let's redefine self-care so we can get out of this predicament. Self-care is any activity that provides evidence that you care about yourself. It is the expression of self-love, the rocket fuel to becoming you were meant to be. But it’s scary to step into your true and authentic superhero self. We talk about the imposter syndrome a lot in academia, but guess what? This is prevalent beyond the ivory tower. 

I’ve given you the problem; here is the solution: Start with self-care and self-love will follow. Don’t take my word for it; try it.

We have a divine seed of self-love. This seed of self-love is buried under layers and layers of junk (think of an onion). Take small steps towards a daily self-care practice and the layers will come off.

Let me show you how to do this: SEA.

S. Simple: What can you do in about 5 minutes?

E. Enjoyable: What sounds fun? *critically important*

A. Agile: Be ok with it changing

Viktor Frankl: Between stimulus and response, there is a space.  In that space is our power to choose our response. In our response lies our growth and our freedom. 

How do you find your SPACE?  Start with the breath. YouTube: https://youtu.be/6PvrbU6HL8A

Do you care enough? 

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1. Humility is your new best friend. Don't expect things to come easy; the ability to humbly ask for guidance when you need it is imperative. 

2. Grades mean (next to) nothing. Having a 4.0 doesn’t mean much in a doctoral program, because a doctoral degree is a terminal degree. Instead of focusing on grades, adopt a growth mindset and seek to truly master the content in your courses.

3. Accepting critical feedback is non-negotiable (prepare to be rubbed the wrong way). You will receive a lot of feedback throughout your program. Commit to taking feedback in the spirit it is intended – to transform you into a doctor. Dump being defensive and get curious. 

4. Self-care is your secret weapon. Stress impacts your ability to think clearly, and if there is ever a time you need to unleash your genius it is now. If you don’t already have a daily self-care practice, get one. 

5. Journaling is magic for writer’s block. Putting pen to paper allows you to tap into ideas that simply don’t come out when you are sitting in front of a computer screen. 

6. Becoming an expert takes time (probably longer than you think). Getting your general research idea accepted by your committee typically comes only after reading MANY (think 50-100) articles on your topic. If you are struggling, chances are this is why.

7. You can’t do it all (and that’s ok). If you don’t already have about 15 hrs/wk to dedicate to your studies, now is the time to figure that out. Having a strategic plan can be the difference between finishing or not (and for those in a relationship - the difference between staying partnered or being single at graduation). 

8. Hiring outside help is common (and can be your saving grace). Scholarly writing at the doctoral level takes years to hone. Also, many research projects require techniques not taught in core courses. Your committee is there to guide you, not teach you these additional skillsets (see next point). 

9. Your committee is not doing this work for pay (and are very busy people). Being on a committee is how faculty give back to their profession and stay connected to their field. It is not done for money.

10. Your passion may be your pitfall. If you are too close to the topic, it can wreak havoc, making it difficult to maintain a scholarly voice. More importantly, you will likely uncover wounds; healing emotional trauma takes time and energy, two things that will be scarce. 

11. Your committee is made up of humans (they aren’t perfect). It is very common for a Chair to pass a milestone document only to have the committee return it with significant feedback. At some point, you and your Chair will habituate to the text and not be able to “see the forest through the trees”. Your committee members will be reading your document with fresh eyes and will see all the gaps and inconsistencies. 

 12. It’s ok to take a break (or even stop altogether). Universities do not encourage breaks because if you take one, you might not come b

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