As I have worked on my doctorate this past year I've found the work we are required to do to be quite grueling, and more often than not I feel like I'm just trying to keep my head above water so as not to drown. Yet, what is keeping me motivated is when I stay focused on the learning rather than on the grade or degree.
When I stay focused on the learning I do things like:
- Share studies, books, articles, and other info with classmates, professors, and/or others related to the research work they are doing
- Meet people, like researchers and "shakers and movers,"--- learning from and sharing with them, even if it is just through email
- Share ideas and thoughts with classmates, professors, and/or others on how to apply what we are learning
- Use the papers I write and other assignments to launch real life applications to make a difference
- Attend conferences, seminars, speeches related to my topic of interest
- Stay passionate on learning from all kinds of sources
- Accept feedback as an opportunity to improve and grow in order to do excellent/quality work
- Write articles with professors who have similar interests
While doing all these things maybe I'll eventually be able to also earn that PhD. In the meantime, I'll just take one step at a time putting one foot in front of the other....and keep on learning with a joyful heart.
