Slacking or relaxing?

I've been a little behind in my progress, took a short trip this weekend, slept all night yesterday, and went to the movies tonight, so....am I slacking or relaxing? I guess life is about balance, right? So, this has been the opposite end of the spectrum where I've been working myself to death. What is tonight? Tonight is the Mr. No sleep, get this submission done, lets see how this all works!

And the Results are in....slow down

So, I received the paper back today and I was told...to slow down. Not directed but suggested. I understand but that's not how I roll. My sleep pattern is all messed up. After 2 hours or so of sleep yesterday, I got in 3 hours after work and about an hour and a half after that and guess what? Can't sleep, so I refuse to sit in the bed like last time for two hours "hoping" that the sandman will take me down. This weekend will be busy so tonight I'll be attacking the paper. I normally complain about the responses and yap yap yap about how it doesn't make sense and I've lost confidence but guess what? Not anymore!! I have much work to do BUT I am definitely confident in her approach and her suggestions. So, here I am midnight just cracking open my knowledge box (computer). Goal is to finish all except the statistical assumptions tonight and then by Tuesday have a new submission ready for review.

Sleepless nights...

So, paper has been submitted for a few days, lets hope and pray that it makes it through!! For non-related reasons, I can't sleep. Sucks, I've implemented my workout routine, eating healthier but I can't seem to get "good" sleep. Anything over about 5 continuous hours of sleep doesn't work for me, I went to sleep at 10PM, up at 2AM, in bed until 4AM and here I am..yes, here I am. So, I guess I just won't sleep. As I have a meeting tomorrow with my Chair, I might as well polish up on my Statistics and find..um, something/anything else to do. I'm sure there is a purpose to all and reading my books, prayer, and church has helped me with strength and resilience. All in all, it's Thursday...almost time for the weekend!

Kind of Burnt

So as I drudge through the third day of revisions, I'm burnt but I have to finish, so much to consider, so much to check, so much to review...sigh...all in all, it's Sunday, church is out and the only thing on my agenda for today is to complete a paper worth of submission.

Losing my "wolf"

The wolf often signifies the hunt, the ability to track something down and devour it, this is in my heart but is leaving from my actions, I'm losing focus, losing desire for no foreseeable reason.

^That^ picture looks funny but it signifies how I feel...it's symbolic, so don't laugh, heck, go head and laugh..lol.

Often when I get like this I force myself to eat...or force myself to sit here and do it until it's done. Like a child without discipline..I need that...NOW. So here I am on a full Saturday, eat, sleep, up for a sec, sleep, turn on computer, lay down, sleep...makes me feel weak and lost...so, tonight, back to the table.

Full speed ahead!!

Be careful what you ask for. I've been complaining about the expertise and response rate of my advisors. So....this new advisor....this one...this one here....um...well, she's fast and she's good. Really pushing me to get it done. Not a lot of excuses here so far. full 3 Chapter proposal returned in 3 days. Smoking! So, it's time for me to turn it into hyperdrive and get this puppy moving...

And...we are off!!

So....take off!!! I'm focused again. After an hour and some change describing concerns posted on my February 11th post...I think we have it worked out.

So, for those that are familiar with the doctoral level procedure. I have one survey, 9 questions, 3 subscales that produce 3 IVs (independent variables). So, with no other survey or tool, where does my DV (dependent variable) come from? I was "told" that my 3 IVs would produce my DV. I disagree....also, that multivariate analysis does not compare the independent variables to themselves. I may be lost and confused but..I'm thinking

Univariate 

Uni = singular

Variate = variable

...Hence Single variable...

3 IVs, 1 DV

IV1 to DV

IV2 to DV

IV3 to DV

Multivariate

Multi = plural

Variate = Variable

....Hence Multiple variables...

3 IVs, 1 DV

IV1 to DV

IV2 to DV

IV3 to DV

IV1 to IV2

IV1 to IV3

etc, etc, etc..

Get it? I don't know, maybe there is more to it, that is why I wanted to speak to my Stats consultant. So, the way forward was to add an additional question which serves as the DV. I have reserves about that. I'm thinking the school will throw a flag due to the lack of complexity. At this point, I just want to get it done, so if this flies, that will be GREAT! If not, I have a second tool in mind which measures mentoring effectiveness. That means the purpose, research questions, methodology and a whole lot else will have to change. The worst part is the clock is now ticking. This must be done by 25 June.

 All in all, paper submitted, my Chair is normally quick with her responses, so lets see what I get back on this one. I will stay optimistic until I get something back.

Creaming

Morning grind...time to cream the paper. I've completed my first draft for my new advisor and today's plan will be to go line by line to cream the paper...making sure all is in line and correct. I officially have 12 months to complete this dissertation and defend and as I create my timeline, I'm thinking...cake...yup, cake. It will take time but still it's cake, long hours but cake, more money but cake, more thinking but cake, more focus but cake, more sacrifice but cake...with all that said, it's breakfast time. Not really brain food but omelet with cheese, mushrooms, and tomato's and one piece of sausage. I plan to complete everything today. Not much makes me feel better than progress. Doing more, being more, learning more. So after all that yapping, lets get to this cream!!

Changing directions..

So, as I change directions from the previous dissertation to the current, I've decided to try to maintain a better schedule on dissertations nights. The plan will go as such: Home from work Walk dog Prepare for tomorrow Eat Work on paper Gym Shower Sleep Lets see how this all works. So far, I'm excited, I've uploaded a paper and my Chair responded...get this...the SAME DAY...WTHEEEzzy? Is that possible? Am I dreaming? Don't wake me up...and if you do, do it when its all done!! So, let me stop yapping and go to work. Today was a good day (in my Ice Cube voice).

Signed to a new team

So, the contract is signed, I'm feeling like a new man with a new sense of motivation. I've had to review this document to ensure the time, dates, and conditions were correct. The most difficult part was determining when I would be able to complete my proposal, IRB approval, research, manuscript chapters and defense date. These dates are non negotiable and the best thing about this all is that I feel I have a strong skeleton from the previous dissertation.

This dissertation has new variables, research questions, and approach to statistical analysis but the general basics are still the same. So hopefully with this expedited process, I'll be soon on my way to calling myself a "doctor" and eliminating these monthly payments. I'm looking forward to it. Perseverance and dedication are the basic fundamentals to success in many areas, I hope this is the key here. So.....signed, new team, new focus, new motivation. Now....off to work!!