J1 – Atomic Habits

Posted on by Foster Scotland

Identify and share specific new habits to benefit the doctoral student in the DScIT program. 

Habits can be both negative and positive. As a doctoral student, one must identify all habits and determine if those habits are negative or positive in relation to doctoral studies. A doctoral degree is more rigorous than a master’s degree. A master’s degree allows a student to showcase their skills from their bachelor’s degree while enhancing their knowledge of various subjects. A doctoral degree, more specifically, a practitioner degree is designed to prepare students to make an impact in the subject area.

A new habit that is important is time management. There are numerous required readings in a doctoral program. To be able to read, comprehend, and include citations while writing; reading needs to be completed earlier in the week. While reading you may come across something that you find interesting and would like to cite in your writing. Note-taking is a great asset when paired with time management. As working adults, there may not be enough time to read an entire article or several chapters of a book in one sitting. By planning out the reading and taking notes, when it is time to write a paper you will be more prepared.

I personally draft my papers with the title, headings, citations, and references. While taking notes I add them to my draft. When it is time to write the paper, I write around what I have already drafted and fill in the blanks. It has worked well in the past, I will try it at the doctoral level to see if it works equivalent.

Removing all distractions is an excellent habit. When I prepare to read I place my phone in do not disturb. My office is quiet and the lighting is appropriate to read and stay awake. I have a little white noise in the background to muffle any sounds that may become distracting while working. I also schedule breaks. It is easy to start reading or writing and spend an hour or two fully engaged. I try to take a five to ten-minute break every forty-five minutes to give my eyes a break, stretch, and check for any important missed calls. When the break is up, it is time to get back to work.

What habit stacking can you do?

To effectively habit stack and create new habits, the old habits must be under control (2018, Clear). I am very efficient with time management which creates free time during the day. I need to utilize all my free time to read and complete my doctoral assignments.

Reading: After I check my work emails in the morning on Mondays and Tuesdays, I will read the required readings for the current module. (60 minutes minimum)

Discussion Post: After I check my work emails in the morning on Wednesdays, I will complete any required discussion posts.

Writing 1: After I check my work emails in the morning on Thursdays, I will start my writing assignments for the current module. (60 minutes minimum)

Writing 2: After I eat breakfast on Saturday morning, I will complete the remainder of my assignments for the module. (60 minutes minimum)

Journaling: After I eat breakfast on Sunday morning, I will complete any journaling required for the week.

As you can see, my preference is to complete assignments after I check my work emails. I have automated enough of my job to create free time for my doctorate. I am also mentally fresh in the morning and can give my best verus waiting until the evening when I am tired.

References

Clear, J. (2018). Atomic Habits: An easy and proven way to build good habits and break bad ones. Penguin Random House: London, UK.

Perseverance

Posted on by Foster Scotland

“Somebody said that it couldn’t be done, but he with a chuckle replied
that “maybe it couldn’t,” but he would be one who wouldn’t say so till he’d tried.”

Excerpt by EDGAR ALBERT GUEST

As a child, my friends Mitchell and Mendall always called me a professor. They saw something in me that I did not quite see myself. I loved to tinker with electronics and computers, then share my knowledge with others. In 2010 when I was working for an IT company in Tampa Florida. I was working as a contractor when a position opened up and I informed one of my friends. My friend was hired as an employee and I was asked to train him. While training him he said, “You are good at this. You should become a professor.” As fate would have it, in December of 2010 this company had a Christmas party. I was NOT invited, however, my friend who was recently hired was invited. This is how I found out about the party. Rather than cause any issues in the workplace, I simply started applying for jobs elsewhere.

I decided to try my hand at being a college professor but did not know where to start. I reached out to Michael, one of my fraternity brothers, and he showed me how to create a CV and a teaching philosophy. Michael had been working as an adjunct teaching human resources courses. With everything ready to go, I started applying to local technical schools. The very first school I applied to called me back. I went on an interview, was hired, and started in January of 2011. At the time, I only held a bachelor’s degree and several information technology certifications. As I looked at more and more professor roles, I started to notice I needed at minimum a master’s if I was going to move up in higher education. Since I started an MBA in 2002, I figured it was time to complete it. Within 10 months I finished my MBA.

As I started progressing through academia one thing was certain, I was very good at being a professor and leading a team of other professors. I worked in several positions and noticed to reach my ultimate goal of being a tenure-track professor at a 4-year university, I was going to need a terminal degree. I tried at least 8 universities and various degree programs. I would start out strong and then life would knock me off track. So I gave up. That’s right! I threw in the towel. I withdrew from school and decided to maximize my earning potential with multiple streams of income. I was doing great and earning more than I have ever earned before. There was just one problem. I had traded my time for money and was always exhausted. It was time for a change.

I learned from a co-worker that Middle Georgia State University had a Doctorate of Science in Information Technology. This was it! This was the degree for me. There were other similar degrees online, however, when working in academia degrees from some online schools are not viewed the same as brick and mortar. In 2022 I put together my enrollment packet and submitted it for the program at MGA. I waited and waited AND waited. I did not get accepted. I continued on my multiple streams of income journey until October 2022. Something told me to apply again. I already had everything I needed so I reapplied and was accepted. On May 24, 2023, I started my first doctoral course at MGA and I am looking forward to taking this to completion and graduating. At last, I will have accomplished a goal that has taken me years.