Multiple Angles for Creative Solutions » Resources

Procrastination, Perfectionism, and Action Orientation

Ryan — Mon, 25 Jun 2007 20:15:19 +0000

Through our consulting, Scott and I have found an interesting relationship between procrastination, perfectionism, and action orientation. This sacred triangle has helped us help others - through figuring out where on the “triangle” one is at to learning how to balance all sides of the triangle. Quite often one or two of the three will be overemphasized, and quite often those who come to us have the procrastination-perfectionism combination. Admittedly there are many elements that affect procrastination, as indicated in many popular books on the subject.

However, when dealing with individuals in graduate schools, those conducting research, or those in the business field, it has been quite helpful to start with this simple triangle and then work into deeper issues of, for example, “am I *good enough* (whichever level you want to take that on) to succeed.” At other times we have found that intentional distractions, and even unintentional distractions, are really alternative ways of engaging the topic at hand.

Let me give an example. More »« Less

Two New Hypnosis Sessions by Dr. Hastings!!

Ryan — Fri, 11 May 2007 02:30:21 +0000

Hi All.
We now have two new hypnosis sessions for sale in our MA4CS “Stuff” website store. Dr. Arthur Hastings has been a clinical hypnotherapist for over 20 years. He is also a core faculty at the Institute of Transpersonal Psychology (and has acted in many capacities for the small graduate psychology school, including past president). When I had knee surgery, this is the guy I went to for a pre-surgery hypnosis session! So, check out the new hypnosis session in the store, and enjoy!

Overcoming Writing Blocks

Ryan — Sat, 05 May 2007 05:08:41 +0000

Have you ever had a time when writing just didn’t feel right, or that the mere act of sitting down to write was enough to bring back memories of chores long since forgotten? Maybe you are a cleaner, needing to clean before sinking into your writing project. Maybe you are a solitary writer, or on the flip side, need the extra stimulation of a coffee shop? Well, fortunately there has been A LOT written about writers block (almost an oxymoron isn’t it!).

In my experience writing my dissertation (a large research project I had to complete in order to graduate with my Ph.D.), there were times that I absolutely fought against the urge to write. I knew that I wanted to write, even that I had to write, but that didn’t help me write. I would either find other things to do, sit and stare at my screen, or write something small then edit it for several hours. These behaviors were entirely unproductive, and did not help me to get to the goal of having a completed piece of work.

During our consulting we have found several ways to overcome writers block. One of my favorites is More »« Less

Research as Spiritual Practice

Ryan — Tue, 10 Apr 2007 04:42:46 +0000

Can research in itself be a spiritual practice? Considering the connection between much philosophy and religion - the search for truth - and epistomology - the study of how we know - maybe it is possible to see research as a spiritual practice. Dr. Peter Reason discusses this topic in an online “article” which he prepared for a conference at the University of Surrey in 2000. This discussion piece, titled Action Research as Spiritual Practice compares the process of action research with Rev. Matthew Fox’s Four Paths of Creation Spirituality: Via Positiva, Via Negativa, Via Creativa, & Via Transformativa. This piece is thought provoking, gripping, and potentially transformative itself for the way we all do research. I highly recommend this articles, along with much of Dr. Reason’s work.

For the article, just click the link above. For a direct link to Peter Reason’s personal website, including many of the articles he has written click here.

Forum: Qualitative Social Research

Ryan — Sat, 31 Mar 2007 04:01:52 +0000

http://www.qualitative-research.net/fqs/fqs-eng.htm

Just found this resource - a free, multilingual open-access journal on qualitative research. If you are looking for qualitative research articles, discussions, and debates from different countries, here is the place. Check it out.

Great Resource for Qualitative Analysis

Ryan — Wed, 28 Mar 2007 14:34:40 +0000

Here is a great resource for researchers focusing on qualitative research methods. The site, Online QDA, is a UK based site created with grant funding by a group of researchers. It is a wonderful site that can be used by beginning researchers to learn how to prep and code data, or it can be used as a reference for advanced researchers who wish to look up particular research methods, working with qualitative research software, etc. To learn more, visit the site Online QDA.

Oh, and it’s FREE!