NESSA’S NOTIONS: Milestone ahead? Please hold
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By VANESSA W. SNYDER
I really wanted the name of this blog to be “Milestones.” It would’ve been so perfect, having started at end of an unusual year and with the promise of a new one. Writing about reaching the next milestone in my doctoral journey would’ve been a lot more fun, and perhaps even easier to write.
Well, I’m not there just yet.
Nonetheless, here I am on a Sunday morning of gentle snow – 24 hours after spending yet another Saturday filled mostly with writing – reflecting on what has become a personal holding pattern.
Holding patterns aren’t very exciting on the surface, but further examination reveals some progress. For example, I’ve completed the first three chapters of my dissertation without being told to start all over (which was a real fear)!
Right now, I’m stepping back to take a critical look at what I’ve written and ask myself important questions.
Am I telling the story I need to tell? Have I captured the full scope of my research problem? Is it clear? What’s missing? Do I need to do more?
How does my dissertation compare to others? (I spend lots of time reading successful dissertations.)
Turns out you can be pretty busy during “holding patterns.”
They don’t indicate lack of activity. They actually mean the opposite if you embrace it. They’re opportunities to learn, think, and reflect before moving on to the next thing. They force you to be in the moment and absorb all that comes with it.
It’s almost like doing a plank. Your whole body is holding and it hurts. But something is happening inside of you that makes you stronger if you stay in the position. Holding patterns are necessary and we can’t skip them, because that’s often where we learn.
So, don’t run from holding patterns in your life. Embrace them. Learn from then. Build upon them.
Before you know it, you’ll be at the next thing – probably the milestone you’re waiting for.
(A former journalist currently working on her doctorate in Social Emotional Learning, Vanessa is a dedicated and passionate educator in the DC Public Schools system. She loves learning, leadership, innovation, collaboration, and discovering new ways to drive student gains and support staff members).
