Faith Moves Mountains featured

This blog post features research that one of my colleagues is participating in.

I Gotta Feeling Black-eyed Peas - Daily Anthem

The kids and I love to dance to this song. Also, while I'm humming it in my head, I can change the words to "Today's going to be a good day." As far as anthems go - Perfect!

Is Your Computer a Friend or Foe to Productivity?

This is a complicated question. There are many web-based tools that I have mentioned previously that can enhance your productivity, especially when that productivity involves writing. However, I also know that my computer time hinders my productive capacity. It must for others as well. Otherwise there wouldn't be so many tools out there to turn off the internet capability on your computer so you can actually write without distractions. Here's one tool for the Mac.

On our campus they have writing boot camps where people commit to writing for a week in a computer lab that has had the internet access disabled.

Sometimes you simply need a mental break from what you are working on. Google has a "take a break" feature that disables your computer for 15 minutes - enough time for a mental refresh, quick snack, or brief walk.

Getting Over Writing Anxiety

Something that seems to hit most graduate students at least once in their young careers is writing anxiety. For me it hit in full force during my second year and that fear can still creep up on me when I least expect it or desire it. So, what can you do?

I was introduced to a productivity tool that can also help with writing anxiety called Write or Die. It is web-based but can also be purchased for download onto your own machine. Check it out. It was useful for me to start getting words on paper and helped to keep my momentum going. However, if you find staring at a computer screen unproductive, try getting out a legal pad and start scribbling. Set a timer and force yourself to write for 10 minutes at a time.

Also, I found that creating a relationship with a specific person at the Writing Center on campus was a real boost. I always make my appointments with my person. It helps that she is a kind soul and seems interested in my subject area. She helps catch my most common mistakes and makes the review process extremely pleasant because we can laugh and joke while we edit.

You could also form a partnership with another graduate student and do the same thing for each other.

Another option, which I haven't tried but looks interesting, is a paid writing coach, something like the writing club at The Academic Ladder.

Impossible from The Open Letters -Daily Anthem

I just heard this catchy tune from the newly formed group, The Open Letters. Check them out on Facebook and MySpace, too. I also like their song, Stupid but Strong, which you can hear there.

Remember the Milk

My life just became a whole lot easier. I found out about the "Remember the Milk" utility on Profhacker. His blog provides some useful tips on making the most of this organizational tool. I can't believe how perfect the name is for a nutritional anthropologist!

Sean Hayes- When We Fall In -Daily Anthem

I've been following the work of Sean Hayes since I saw him last year on Pandora. I was inspired by his song "Alabama Chicken" and the soulful sound of his voice. I think his spot as a Pandora Featured Artist has served him well. Here is his fancy new video "When We Fall In."

A little boogie woogie, everyday --Daily Anthem

The kids and I like to start our mornings with the "Move It, Move It" song. I think I can add this Jerry Lee Lewis song to the morning wake-up routine. I heard it on NPR while I was driving home from the library and it made me want to get out of the car and dance in the street. You also have to know that Paul and I love to swing!

I do my little boogie woogie everyday.

A Daily Anthem

I think part of getting through the Ph.D. "thing" is getting into the correct mindset. Having a mantra last semester really helped me with this. For my mantra, I pictured the WWII poster of the woman rolling up her sleeves. Yes, "we can do it" became really important to me. This semester, in addition to a mantra, I've decided a daily anthem will be helpful.

You can help. What are your favorite anthems? You know, the songs that put a smile on your face and a spring in your step. Songs that stick with you, which you can continue to "play" in your head as you go through your day.

My first anthem is from Rare Earth - I Just Want to Celebrate. Many thanks to Patsy and Randolph for reintroducing me to the song.