RULES FOR SIDNEY BOARD OF EDUCATION

o The critical nature of academia is paralyzing to some. It’s important to realize that academics enjoy thinking and puzzling things out. The “devil’s advocate” approach that looks for holes in your logic is just part of the process. Try not to take that part personally. o Remember that some of the most famous theorists, even the ones with scads of data to back them up, invited the most invective. Charles Darwin comes to mind – I’m sure you can think of others.

· What if I just don’t know what I’m talking about? o Then finish the piece, have others read it, and find out! Chances are you’re not completely out of your mind.

· Everything I’ve written is junk. It doesn’t make any sense to me any more.

o It’s time to finish the up the part you’re writing, give it a rest, and let someone else look at it. Either fresher eyes or new eyes will help you see it in a new light. o If you’re not totally burned out, push past that feeling. Trust the process. As one client said, don’t flip out just when you’re at the cusp of turning it from cream into butter. It seems like nothing is happening, but if you perservere, you will see that you have produced something worthwhile.

· I can see that it’s not perfectly written. I’m a sham and a charlatan and I don’t deserve to be in this field.

o It doesn’t have to be perfect; it just has to be good enough. o You don’t have to be perfect. If you’ve gotten this far, you ARE good enough. Besides, everyone in academia feels that way every once in a while.

• o Looking over already published papers will remind you that imperfect writing still gets published. And has some value!
• · There’s so much more I could say about this subject. o You can use this excuse never to complete a project about the subject.
• o It’s OK to keep writing about the subject. In your next paper, chapter, or presentation, that is. Finish this one – you’ve probably said enough for now.
• So Give Birth To That Baby!

The world deserves to hear what you have to say. Don’t deprive the universe of your ideas! Release them from your brain and get them out there!

You’re almost done with the whole article. You should feel relieved. Instead you feel like you’ve written a bunch of junk.

• It’s funny, though. At other times you’ve felt that you’ve written something worthwhile.

Now, however, you feel the urge to read several more articles, add more footnotes, edit it some more, or check your email. Anything but wrap it up and send it in.