I have been a tad reluctant to start writing. Since it is my first post, there is a great deal of pressure to get things really right! That said, the one thing that I have learned since beginning my doctorate a year ago, is that the key to writing is to write. You can always edit later and the process of writing does two important things. First, it forces you to clarify your thinking. Second, it creates momentum which is essential for anyone who is seeking to complete an 80 000 word thesis in a reasonable time frame!
A quick update about me and then some thoughts on my hopes for this blog. I work full-time in a mid-sized corporation. About a year ago I decided to pursue a long-standing dream of completing a doctorate. My goal is to become a Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) on, or before, the end of 2013. It has been a year of very “heavy-lifting”; a significant intellectual stretch and a challenge to balance, or perhaps integrate work, life and academia. My research interest is leadership, more on that later.
I am frequently told that pursuing a doctorate is a lonely journey and a highly stressful and time consuming undertaking. I suspect that what I have been told is true. That said, my goal is not only to survive this journey but also to thrive. Ambitious? Probably, but this first year has been simultaneously challenging and energizing! I am quietly optimistic that the next 3.5 years will be similar.
I am starting a blog for several reasons, but the most important is that I am a huge believer in the benefits of reflective writing , sharing learnings and dialogue. People have been very candid, open and generous with me so far and I hope to be the same to others.
It is late and I have a full day of work tomorrow, so I am signing off for now. Not sure how frequently I will post but will try and get a few in over the next week or so.