Forums IMPORTANT: PLEASE READ Paraliminals, Paraliminal Resets, Paraliminal Walkabouts, Natural Brilliance, Sonic Access Specific but generalizable issues - which to use?

I'm dealing with a specific situation in which I am experiencing some significant blocks... it is also clear to me that many (though not all) of the things blocking my progress are somewhat generalizable. I'm sure that if I "magically" got through this situation, the issues would raise their heads again in other situations. I've got a few of the paraliminal CDs, but I'm not sure which is best for my situation (as I can think of ways in which several of them could be seen to apply). So, I'm hoping some of you with experience with these could offer some advice/opinions.

Here's the situation:
I'm in the final phase of my PhD dissertation process. I've collected all my research data, done all the reading, and now have to do the analysis and pull it all together. I've been dragging my a** on this for quite some time (it's taken me a few years just to get to this point - as I manage to find plenty of other things that interest me and keep me busy, and fed). I've had all the data for over a year, and have gradually gotten the numbers crunched, the interviews coded, and so on. I've found some strategies (such as going into self-imposed "exile" for a week) to get work done, but I keep getting re-stuck.

I realize there are several issues involved:
- not feeling like a PhD (and, relatedly, not really giving myself full credit for my accomplishments to this point)
- knowing that I have many decisions I'll have to make once I'm done (what to do, where to live, status of relationship, etc., etc.)
- a mountain of debt I'll have to deal with when I'm done
- some resistance to being "academic" in my writing, citing, proving, etc. (I feel I'd rather write a book than a dissertation at this point)
- perfectionism (the kind that makes one stop from really trying rather than the kind that makes one do a gazillion revisions)
- and I'm sure there's more

In front of me I've got:
Automatic Pilot
New Option Generator
Personal Genius
Self-Esteem Supercharger
Belief

- for each of which I can come up with a rationale why it would make the most sense for me.

Oh, and I've also recently started Holosync.

Hmmm... that was interesting... as I was typing which CDs I have, I think I got an intuitive 'hit' -- it seems Self-Esteem Supercharger is "speaking to me". So, perhaps I don't need advice afterall... I'll go ahead with this post anyway, and would still welcome any comments, thoughts, or advice.

Thanks,
Scott

Self-Esteem Supercharger was my choice too.

Also belief.

There appears to be the unspoken belief that you can't handle it if you get it finished, behind all that. That could why you want to avoid it.

Alex

I can identify with you - having the same problem years ago writing up my MSc. I think you may have gone into overwhelm with the list of activities and pressures outlined in your post. I also now write articles and books and find it relatively easy - by just doing it. Just start and write - it does not matter if it makes sense, is properly cited and referenced - just write a first draft. Even if you don't like what you write - just write. Even if it does not make sense. Write don't evaluate what you write - just get into the process of writing.

I think the problem is typical of any problem which is so big - it is reflected in the mataphor in answering the question "how do you eat an elephant?" The answeris - in small chunks.

Now, my daughter is writing her MSc thesis and she is following the same advice about write, write , write - don't evaluate. When she was completing her undergrdauate dissertation she used to come to me and say "look this is not good". My response was it does not need to be good at first - just get the ideas down - bad grammar and punctuation included.

On a fnal note when I need a paraliminal to focus myself on doing things I just listen twice to "get around to it" - and then when I arise in the morning it is like a guided missile is tied to my butt - its works for me in every circumstance. Not kidding. Good luck Doctor.

Alex, and Philip, thank you for your responses.

I will start with Self-Esteem Supercharger, and follow-up with Belief... we'll see how that goes.

Philip, yes, it seems it is not that unusual for this sort of stuckness to happen... I've spoken to a few others recently who have either gone through the same thing with a Master's or Doctoral thesis, or have known someone who did. My girlfriend's sister has a friend who took 8 years to finish her dissertation because she'd get stuck, unstuck, re-stuck, over and over again. I suspect that for many of us it is indeed the fact that the task seems so daunting, and the dividing up of the project perhaps tends to still be in too large chunks! I will give just sitting down and writing something a try -- I think for me part of the problem with that has been that up to now I've always been able to make my first draft pretty darn close to the final for anything I've written... I realize that isn't likely to be possible this time!

Again, thanks for your responses. I'll keep plugging away at it!

Take care,
Scott