Dissertation Diva Says: You Don't Have to Finish

The first thing I tell my coaching clients: You do not have to finish your PhD. No one is making you. The world won't implode if you don't finish your dissertation.

You read it right: It is perfectly alright to walk away and not finish your PhD. If the stress, hard work, financial strain, competition, boredom, and striving are too much for you, call the whole thing off. Do an about face at the altar. I give you permission. After all, about 50% of PhD candidates do not complete the degree. You can be among them if that is the best choice for you. Changing paths is a valid decision. There are many other challenges worthy of your time on this earth, like pursuing a non-academic career, taking a university job that does not require a PhD, raising your family, writing a book on another topic, making art, starting a business, teaching high school science, becoming a surfing beach bum in Nicaragua, engaging in political activism, traveling around the world, training for a marathon, etc.

Choose not to finish. Do something else. But it needs to be a conscious decision on your part. If you decide to take another path in your career -- for whatever reason(s) -- just do it.   

However, if you do decide to finish your dissertation, dedicate yourself 100% to the task. Don't waver in your commitment.  Realizing that finishing your PhD is a conscious decision -- and not a prison sentence -- is the one essential insight to motivate you from within. Knowing you are CHOOSING this particular challenge is empowering.

If you avoid making any decision, you will stay in the ABD/anxiety cycle indefinitely. Fish or cut bait. Decide, commit to your decision, and take consistent action to reach your goal.

Decisively yours,
Dissertation Diva

Comments

[Photogrrl]

I really enjoyed reading your blog. The advice and ideas can truly
be applied to virtually any large project or task, not just PhDs! I am an artist working on a book project, and remembering that I choose to take on this ambitious task -- and then breaking it down into smaller pieces -- really helps.

[S.]

Hi Liena, thanks for your blog. I find it inspiring and very helpful. All the suggestions about writing are crucial, especially the strategies around visualizations.

The reflection on using the dissertation as a place of choice and empowerment is wonderful. I so need to hear that...

a deep bow and a big hug,
S.

[Trish]

I wish I could, but I feel so 'stuck'...after 5+ years working for the same guy, who the heck else could I get decent/recent work refns from??

[Renee]

I have struggled with whether or not to finish for almost a year now, nearly quitting twice. I am no longer on the same career path, so what's the point? On the other hand, I feel that it will be the great unfinished project which will haunt me to my grave, and that while my friends and family will accept it, they will be disappointed in me (even if they say they won't.) And what about my subject (an institutional history/biography.) I feel like I would be letting my subject down.