Finish Your Dissertation Once and for All!: How to Overcome Psychological Barriers, Get Results, and Move on With Your Life

by Alison B. Miller

Are you having difficulty finishing your dissertation? Are you feeling stuck after trying various approaches, or panicky about the entire enterprise? If so, it is unlikely that your cognitive abilities are to blame. More likely, the culprits are anxiety, self-doubt, procrastination, perfectionism, and the thoughts, feelings, and behavior that accompany these difficulties. This book was written to help you overcome these problems and finish your dissertation once and for all.

Combining psychological support with a project management approach that breaks tasks into small, manageable chunks, experienced dissertation coach Alison Miller shows you how to overcome negativity and succeed beyond your own expectations. You will learn how to plan and structure the dissertation process, work effectively with dissertation chairpersons and committees, and take care of yourself on the dissertation journey. Tips for mastering all of these skills are presented along with exercises to reinforce key lessons, ideas, and strategies. By the end of the process, you will not only have finished your dissertation--you will also have learned the self-confidence that comes from knowing how to stay engaged when difficulties arise and the joy that comes from accomplishment in pursuit of your personal values.

Genres: Psychology, Writing, Academic, Self Help, Nonfiction

181 pages, Paperback

First published December 15, 2008

Reviews

[Kendra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very helpful guide for managing expectations during the dissertation writing phase of earning a PhD. Great tips for setting up and sharing timelines combined with action plans to stay on track and avoid procrastination. Now I just have to put all of these ideas to use...😂

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

(2024) I do not believe I would have finished my dissertation if not for this book. Practical two-pronged approach: cognitive behavioral (CBT) approaches to overcoming the psychological barriers to doing something intimidating and big; and, project management techniques for staying on track. Rereading almost 10 years after the initial read because I need to use both of these skills to execute personal and professional projects in the present. Even now—separating your behavior from your emotions feels impossible. To act in accord with your values (do something you want long-term) but which generates fearful and uncomfortable emotions, seems nothing short of heroism. Maybe it gets easier the 3rd or 4th time?

(2014)Turns out I AM just like every one else. A useful book.

[Cynthia · Rating 4 out of 5]

🤣

Seriously, very helpful pointers to help work through the dissertation process.

[Theryn Fleming · Rating 3 out of 5]

One-sentence synopsis: "I'm good enough, I'm smart enough, and doggone it, I'm going to finish this dissertation!" Yes, all I kept thinking about whilst skimming this were Stuart Smalley's daily affirmations. From the title I was hoping for something directed at people who are already in the midst of working on their dissertations—more concrete ideas about speeding up the process. Essentially I'm already doing everything suggested in this book. So while it was an affirmation (ha) that I'm on the right track, sadly it offered no magic bullets. Will continue to plod. (Have started to think Evelyn Hunt Ogden's suggestion to hire someone to help with monotonous tasks wasn't such a crazy idea after all.) Recommended for anyone floundering at the "I don't know where to start" stage.

[Melissa Norrbom · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book really helped me identify the negative behaviors, thoughts and feelings I was having towards starting to write. Even though I'm a psychologist, I was ironically having difficulty with the psychology of writing my dissertation! I was using all kinds of excuses but this book helped uncover the deeper fears and move past them. I'm only a couple weeks into my timeline and action plan but for once I'm moving forward with clear small manageable tasks that have me seeing the light at the end of the tunnel.

[Tom Uytterhoeven · Rating 3 out of 5]

Does this book give you practical advice on writing a dissertation? To some extent it does. There are some exercises, some lists, some hints and tips on how to do things. I would advise reading chapters 2-5 (overcoming negative feelings and procrastination, structuring your work, planning your work), but chapters 1 (general intro) and 6-8 (on working with your supervisor, handling feedback, taking care of yourself) are in my opinion rather common sense. That makes about half the book being a bit redundant...

[Natalya Androsova · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you are a graduate student struggling to finish your dissertation or any major research project, this book will offer you everything you need to succeed. You will learn to better understand your thoughts, emotions, and behavioural patterns and will have plenty of specific examples and invitations to take simple practical steps that will allow you to move forward to the finish line.

This book is clear, powerful, and practical. It combines a deep dive into psychology, a holistic and balanced approach, and a kind and compassionate tone. I loved Alison's guidance, wisdom, and beautiful prose. I wish I had this book and Alison's gentle guidance when I was writing my PhD dissertation.

Highly recommend to all graduate students!

[Kimberly Read · Rating 3 out of 5]

Let's call this one a 3.5 because I'm vacillating between a 3 and 4. There are some great words of advice and useful tips. However, I found the book highly repetitive, which forced me to skim a great deal. Perhaps this is a deliberate device to hammer home the points? Also, I'm not fond of exercises or worksheets, but that's just me. I will certainly use this book for motivation again as I continue my dissertation.

[Lyndon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Part therapy, part 'thesis advisor', Miller's book is the right medicine for those "struggling with struggling" when it comes to a dissertation, and those who need someone to say 'here's a plan, now get on with it.' The right book for me.

[Vincent Russo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty good, I initially thought this book was going to be filled with vagaries and non-concrete elements of advice, but was pleasantly surprised. This book (like most of the others I've found) are geared toward students that are not in a STEM field, although much of the soft-advice still applies.

[Leah]

I'm praying to all known deities, friggin paramecium and aliens (just in case; ya never know) that this works!!!

[Georgina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really useful, but not the most useful one... It was the book that ultimately made me dive in on my dissertation. I don't know where would I be without it.

[Kelly Dombroski · Rating 5 out of 5]

See my comments in this review: https://throwntogetherness.wordpress....

[MindOverMatter · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am not new to the things mentioned in this book. I did meditation, I heard about the unhelpful thinking patterns, she describes. I heard about other people doing the kinds of plans she mentions. I even try to work with them myself. It certainly takes time to build up the habit and I may not be that far yet. However, I thoroughly enjoyed the way Allison Miller describes all these things that I am familiar with - however, not familiar enough to not have learned a great deal from the book. Now I need to continue to practice and work with the content in order to finish my dissertation once and for all. :) Great book and really helpful!