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Published on Dec 21, 2015
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The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author’s and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Grand Canyon University. Any sources cited were accurate as of the publish date.
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Perhaps you heard it in the military as I did: Plan your work, and work your plan.
It’s been in use a long time and in a number of different settings. The advice speaks to taking on a project of any size, from cleaning your house to writing a dissertation.
Planning your work includes what’s to be done, the sequence in which to do it and most importantly how to do it. The rest is execution.
Having a good, thorough plan you can execute is vital: If you are stuck, it helps you get unstuck and it prevents you from getting stuck again.
A young chess player once told me, “As long as I know my next step, I am fine. I get frustrated when I don’t know what to do next. I’m paralyzed.”
Having a detailed plan tells you what to do next.
Here’s some practical advice for planning your work and putting it into action (working your plan).
Life is full of setbacks, such as illness, loss of income or a change in your family situation. Don’t be discouraged! Revisit your plan and make adjustments. These unexpected events are opportunities to reach out to others and will make your story richer when you share with fellow alumni and your own learners in the years to come.
Part of the journey is knowing you are not alone. Lean on your chair, committee, fellow learners and us. We are all rooting for you.
I’m sure you’ve developed your own ways to plan your work and work your plan. Feel free to post them for others to see!
GCU’s College of Doctoral Studies offers dynamic degree programs to help you advance your career. Contact us today to learn more about our online PhD and EdD programs and our integrative dissertation process today!
More about Kathleen:
Kathleen F. Laity, PhD, is a senior research specialist for the Office of Dissertations in the College of Doctoral Studies at Grand Canyon University. She earned her BA degree in psychology at the University of California, Berkeley and her PhD in psychology at Vanderbilt University. Her field of specialty is cultural psychology and clinical competencies. She has a passion for education and is a community advocate for first-generation and re-entry college students. Dr. Laity lives in Phoenix with her husband and has two college-age children. She loves reading, practicing Tai Chi and hiking in the desert.
