Katherine Fusco
  • Home
  • Books
  • Essays
  • Scholarly Articles
  • c.v.
  • Works in Progress
  • Contact

The Mindful Academic Writer


A Blog on Practice

Public vs. Private Shaming

7/14/2014

0 Comments

 
Picture
Not fulfilling obligations to one's daily work often produces a sense of shame. I know that I get super grouchy and snappy when I don't exercise or write for a couple of days in a row. My shortness with those around me is a quick tell that I'm feeling bad about myself.

Unfortunately, I'm willing to feel bad about myself for a little while before changing the pattern and getting back to the computer or getting back to the yoga mat. In other words, I'm the one person that I'm pretty willing to disappoint; I am also the person who is most abusive in the dishing out of shame when I fail.


In contrast, most of us are pretty good about meeting our responsibilities to others. Knowing
that other people expect us to show up is a powerful motivator.

It makes sense, then, that bringing other people into the process helps. Even though they are less harsh with the shaming when I don't do my daily work, the fear of disappointing them works pretty well.

This month, for example, I am experimenting with using an accountability partner. Each day this week, we'll talk on the phone for 15 minutes and say what we've done. I also announced to my family that I planned to work on the book for a minimum of 3 hours each day this week. Knowing that I've announced these intentions to so many people is part of my motivation this week.

We often think of fear of failure in wholly negative terms, but consciously introduced, it can do work on our behalf. It's what keeps us lesson planning, writing conference papers, and completing our committee work.

By making other people the people who I am showing up for, the writing process becomes a bit more social, which adds a bit of support, and a bit of productive social pressure.



0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    Categories

    All


    Blogroll
    Get a Life, PhD
    getalifephd.blogspot.ie/
    GradHacker
    www.insidehighered.com/blogs/gradhacker
    The Professor is In
    theprofessorisin.com/pearlsofwisdom/
    The Thesis Whisperer
    thesiswhisperer.com/
    Tenure, She Wrote
    tenureshewrote.wordpress.com/

    ​

    Archives

    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.
Photos used under Creative Commons from Ian D. Keating, Port of San Diego, Hey Paul Studios, smerikal, philosophygeek, brian.gratwicke, shirokazan, Maria Eklind, h.koppdelaney, ☺ Lee J Haywood, ninacoco, VinothChandar, apartmentshowcase, dickdotcom, Allagash Brewing, medchedli, flying_7ucy, taymtaym, blondinrikard, katerha, blumenbiene, Helga Weber, juhansonin, Evil Erin, danajackson58, Paul L Dineen, quinn.anya, Jarosław Pocztarski, Seabird NZ, wwarby, anshumanharsh, jenny downing, anna gutermuth, MacBeales, peddhapati, GreenRavenPhotography.com, gailhampshire, torbakhopper, cyberpunk65, Derek Bridges, Albion Europe ApS, Rennett Stowe, Daveness_98, Drew Coffman, 42andpointless, VinothChandar, Average Jane, h.koppdelaney, auspices, r.nial.bradshaw, Matt Callow, Lex Kravetski, nSeika, Toffee Maky, Rob.Bertholf, ilovememphis, Xtreme Xhibits, chrysav.koutroumanou, striatic, It'sGreg, Michiel Thomas, Maria Eklind, stimpsonjake, ikewinski, seyed mostafa zamani, mugwumpian, jude hill
  • Home
  • Books
  • Essays
  • Scholarly Articles
  • c.v.
  • Works in Progress
  • Contact