Youre almost done with the whole article.  You should feel relieved.  Instead you feel like youve written a bunch of junk.

Its funny, though.  At other times youve felt that youve 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.

It doesnt matter if its a revise and resubmit article for a journal or a draft chapter to show to your dissertation advisor.  Theres something anxiety-provoking about letting go of your work and putting it out there for the wider world to see.

One very brilliant client of mine told me how she had a similar feeling when she was 9 months pregnant.  The babys room wasnt ready, and she had so much more to do.  She tried to will herself not to give birth yet.  Luckily, her body didnt cooperate.  Now she tries to do the same with journal articles.

This reluctance to release ones work is so common in academia, that it may well be the norm.  In some cases, though, it can become crippling.

Reasons for Reluctance to Release Writing

Here are the kinds of statements that I hear from academics in regards to this issue.  Each statement is followed by an alternate way to look at the situation.  If youve found yourself saying anything like this to yourself, try the alternate way of thinking on for size.

Ø      Who am I to make that definitive a statement?

o       If not you, then who?  What makes someone else an authority and not you?  Where and when did the current authorities start having the authority to make their statements?

Ø      I have an idea, but I cant find any references to cite that say what Im thinking.

o       Maybe thats because its an original idea!  Sometimes new ideas really are leaps.  Run it by some colleagues and see what they think.

Ø      Im intimidated by the fact that others have written about my subject for much longer than I have.

o       Sometimes people who are steeped in a subject cant think about that subject in as clear a light as a newcomer.

o       A new voice is always welcome (and if it isnt, too bad for them.)

Ø      My viewpoint doesnt fit the mental maps of academics in my field, so they will disagree with what I say.

o       Try to welcome disagreement!  The best scholarly contributions often incite others to argue vociferously against the new ideas.  By generating discussion youre advancing the field.

o       The critical nature of academia is paralyzing to some.  Its important to realize that academics enjoy thinking and puzzling things out.  The devils 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 Im sure you can think of others.

Ø      What if I just dont know what Im talking about?

o       Then finish the piece, have others read it, and find out!  Chances are youre not completely out of your mind.

Ø      Everything Ive written is junk.  It doesnt make any sense to me any more.

o       Its time to finish the up the part youre 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 youre not totally burned out, push past that feeling.  Trust the process.  As one client said, dont flip out just when youre 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.

Ø      I can see that its not perfectly written.  Im a sham and a charlatan and I dont deserve to be in this field.

o       It doesnt have to be perfect; it just has to be good enough.

o       You dont have to be perfect.  If youve 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!

Ø      Theres so much more I could say about this subject.

o       You can use this excuse never to complete a project about the subject.

o       Its OK to keep writing about the subject.  In your next paper, chapter, or presentation, that is.  Finish this one youve probably said enough for now.

So Give Birth To That Baby!

The world deserves to hear what you have to say.  Dont deprive the universe of your ideas!  Release them from your brain and get them out there! 

Gina J Hiatt, Ph.D. is a clinical psychologist, tenure coach and dissertation coach and enjoys helping faculty and graduate students complete research, writing projects, and publish, while maintaining high teaching standards and other commitments. In addition to dissertation coaching, she teaches workshops and teleclasses on time management, writing, career planning and grad student/advisor relationships. Sign up for my free newsletter at http://www.academicladder.com or call me at (703) 734-4945.