Making Moments Matter
Dear Reader,
Sunday (27 June 2004), my husband and I were chased out of the mountains by a thunder storm and this got me to thinking about my thesis. Our plans for the day changed and we had some extra time. I have come to see moments, extra time, as opportunities. I used to carry around the burden of my entire thesis and all that it entailed (administrative work, research, locating sources -- the list was endless). I would bump into all these worries whenever I ran into a "free moment."
Now, I am always armed with a small part of my thesis and when a moment presents itself, I use it for the very small section of my thesis: to grapple with a particular aspect of my thesis, read a particular section of a secondary source, and the like. I live a life where I am often thrown unexpected time --e.g., waiting in a long line for something I was told would "go quickly." I want to make that time mine!
In the best of all possible worlds, I would be able to complete my work in a quiet space in which I could work long hours without interruption or distraction. But I live in a world filled with life, a thing that will always interrupt and is never perfect. In order to progress in all my scholarly work, I must be tenacious in my creating different ways to do my work.
Moments have become my work space along with the longer stints at my computer or at the library.
I must use all to get my thesis all done.
As always, I am eager to hear of the tools folks use to progress their thesis work.
Best,
Dale
Sunday (27 June 2004), my husband and I were chased out of the mountains by a thunder storm and this got me to thinking about my thesis. Our plans for the day changed and we had some extra time. I have come to see moments, extra time, as opportunities. I used to carry around the burden of my entire thesis and all that it entailed (administrative work, research, locating sources -- the list was endless). I would bump into all these worries whenever I ran into a "free moment."
Now, I am always armed with a small part of my thesis and when a moment presents itself, I use it for the very small section of my thesis: to grapple with a particular aspect of my thesis, read a particular section of a secondary source, and the like. I live a life where I am often thrown unexpected time --e.g., waiting in a long line for something I was told would "go quickly." I want to make that time mine!
In the best of all possible worlds, I would be able to complete my work in a quiet space in which I could work long hours without interruption or distraction. But I live in a world filled with life, a thing that will always interrupt and is never perfect. In order to progress in all my scholarly work, I must be tenacious in my creating different ways to do my work.
Moments have become my work space along with the longer stints at my computer or at the library.
I must use all to get my thesis all done.
As always, I am eager to hear of the tools folks use to progress their thesis work.
Best,
Dale
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