Word Brains

By Dorian Ramsey

 You’re almost done with the whole article. You should feel relieved. Instead you feel like you’ve written a bunch of junk.

It’s funny, though. At other times you’ve felt that you’ve written something worthwhile.

Now, however, you feel the urge to read several more articles, add more footnotes, edit it some more, or check your email. Anything but wrap it up and send it in.

It doesn’t matter if it’s a “revise and resubmit” article for a journal or a draft chapter to show to your dissertation advisor. There’s something anxiety-provoking about letting go of your work and putting it out there for the wider world to see.

One very brilliant client of mine told me how she had a similar feeling when she was 9 months pregnant. The baby’s room wasn’t ready, and she had so much more to do. She tried to will herself not to give birth yet. Luckily, her body didn’t cooperate. Now she tries to do the same with journal articles.

This reluctance to release one’s work is so common in academia, that it may well be the norm. In some cases, though, it can become crippling.

Reasons for Reluctance to Release Writing

Here are the kinds of statements that I hear from academics in regards to this issue. Each statement is followed by an alternate way to look at the situation. If you’ve found yourself saying anything like this to yourself, try the alternate way of thinking on for size.

Who am I to make that definitive a statement?

o If not you, then who? What makes someone else an authority and not you? Where and when did the current authorities start having the authority to make their statements?

I have an idea, but I can’t find any references to cite that say what I’m thinking.

o Maybe that’s because it’s an original idea! Sometimes new ideas really are leaps. Run it by some colleagues and see what they think.

I’m intimidated by the fact that others have written about my subject for much longer than I have.

o Sometimes people who are steeped in a subject can’t think about that subject in as clear a light as a newcomer.

o A new voice is always welcome (and if it isn’t, too bad for them.)

My viewpoint doesn’t fit the mental maps of academics in my field, so they will disagree with what I say.

o Try to welcome disagreement! The best scholarly contributions often incite others to argue vociferously against the new ideas. By generating discussion you’re advancing the field.

o The critical nature of academia is paralyzing to some. It’s important to realize that academics enjoy thinking and puzzling things out. The “devil’s advocate” approach that looks for holes in your logic is just part of the process. Try not to take that part personally.

o Remember that some of the most famous theorists, even the ones with scads of data to back them up, invited the most invective. Charles Darwin comes to mind - I’m sure you can think of others.

What if I just don’t know what I’m talking about?

o Then finish the piece, have others read it, and find out! Chances are you’re not completely out of your mind.

Everything I’ve written is junk. It doesn’t make any sense to me any more.

o It’s time to finish the up the part you’re writing, give it a rest, and let someone else look at it. Either fresher eyes or new eyes will help you see it in a new light.

o If you’re not totally burned out, push past that feeling. Trust the process. As one client said, don’t flip out just when you’re at the cusp of turning it from cream into butter. It seems like nothing is happening, but if you perservere, you will see that you have produced something worthwhile.

I can see that it’s not perfectly written. I’m a sham and a charlatan and I don’t deserve to be in this field.

o It doesn’t have to be perfect; it just has to be good enough.

o You don’t have to be perfect. If you’ve gotten this far, you ARE good enough. Besides, everyone in academia feels that way every once in a while.

o Looking over already published papers will remind you that imperfect writing still gets published. And has some value!

There’s so much more I could say about this subject.

o You can use this excuse never to complete a project about the subject.

o It’s OK to keep writing about the subject. In your next paper, chapter, or presentation, that is. Finish this one - you’ve probably said enough for now.

So Give Birth To That Baby!

The world deserves to hear what you have to say. Don’t deprive the universe of your ideas! Release them from your brain and get them out there!

Find tips about selling things, how to sell things online, what to sell online, workplace ethics, slander in the workplace , workplace bullying and other information at the Knowledge Galaxy website.

Your Source For Online Education

How is Online Education Different from Traditional Education

By Dorian Ramsey

 These days, the internet has grown into a veritable wealth of information for college seekers. Everything from applying for financial aid to taking a course can be accomplished online. Now, a student can even obtain online degrees from one of many schools offering online education as a viable alternative to a traditional classroom education. How different are these two methods of teaching, and do either prove better for the student? There’s an abundance of information regarding online education, and distance education is becoming increasingly popular for students everywhere.

First and foremost, there are some obvious benefits in obtaining online instant degrees. For example, juggling a job, school and a home can be very difficult as far as commuting to the classroom every day. With online education, you eliminate the need to attend classes, and instead access your coursework from an internet website. This presents an obvious benefit to the overworked college student because his commute is basically slashed in half. What’s more, many distance education programs allow students to complete the coursework any time during the day, while still adhering to overall deadlines. This allows for flexibility that a traditional classroom setting can ordinarily not provide.

However, is an online education truly comparable to the type of education a student would receive in an actual classroom? Many professionals in the field say yes, and certainly students seeking online degrees can confirm this response. Not only does online learning provide a stimulating environment for students, but it promotes even interaction among every student because everyone has a say in classroom discussions. What’s more, online education programs allow each student to learn with the methods that work best for them. Plus, many employers respect online degrees as much as a traditional college degree, so there’s really no difference in the amount of education or respect a student will receive when attending an online college.

While traditional colleges will never be eliminated, there’s definitely been an increase in the amount of students attending online colleges in recent years. Many people choose to follow the online education route for the diversity of material they can find, or because the teachers are more approachable via the internet than they would be in a classroom setting. Students definitely need discipline and self-motivation to succeed in obtaining online degrees, but there’s still the same level of help and support from teachers and students online that there would be in a classroom. What’s more, internet college students are learning skills that will be beneficial to them in the workforce and beyond because of the way technology is evolving today.

Online degrees are becoming an increasingly popular way to obtain a college education and many students are turning to online education because of the quality of material, convenience and the level of flexibility inherent in distance education programs. Because there’s no distinct differences between an online education and a traditional education, students are assured they are receiving the same kind of education that they would in a brick and mortar setting. There are definite benefits to online degree programs, and students with discipline and motivation can and will succeed greatly in online education programs.

Read about relationships, jealousy in relationships, communication in relationships, corporate job, jobs for convicted felons , tips for finding a job and other information at the Knowledge Galaxy website.

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