Transcript Good Writing Psychology Wednesday 14 October KSW.G.01 Repeated 3.30pm Friday 30 November, KSW.G.01 Ohemaa Nkansa Dwamena/ Adam Sandelson LSE Student Counselling Service.

Good Writing Psychology
Wednesday 14 October
KSW.G.01
Repeated
3.30pm Friday 30 November, KSW.G.01
Ohemaa Nkansa Dwamena/
Adam Sandelson
LSE Student Counselling Service
Aims
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To examine common difficulties in
writing
Focus on psychological issues
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procrastination
perfectionism
To identify management techniques and
sources of advice
Introduction
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What are the
common difficulties
involved in writing?
Common Difficulties
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Feeling overwhelmed with material
Adapting to a new style of learning
Developing an independent critical voice
Procrastination
Perfectionism
The context for study includes
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Transition to different
type of study
Coping with the
academic cycle
Sustaining momentum
Pressures in all areas of
my life - home, family,
relationships, career,
jobs…
How I feel about me
What is procrastination?
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Excessive habit of putting off tasks
We may disguise avoidance by being busy
We may find things to do that are
interesting or even useful, but don't
contribute towards the main goal
It may involve feelings of anxiety, stress,
guilt, shame and depression
Why do we procrastinate?
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time management
inability to prioritise
overload of tasks
feeling overwhelmed
anxiety about the task
fear of failing
fear of success
Why do we procrastinate?
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negative feelings - e.g. "I'm
stupid",
all-or-nothing thinking
boredom
habit of avoiding difficult things
Use personal timetabling to:
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acknowledge what you have achieved
save mental energy
be realistic
meet deadlines and keep up with work
have effective study time and relaxation
enjoy yourself without guilt and worry
Looking behind the time issue
What kind of internal
pressure do I put myself
under when preparing a
written assignment?
Are you a perfectionist?
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Is whatever you do never quite good enough?
Do you often put off handing in work, waiting to get
them just right?
Do you feel you must give more than 100% on
everything, or else you’ll be mediocre or a failure?
Are you working toward success or trying to be perfect?
Perfectionism
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Self-defeating thoughts and behaviours.
Linked to high ideals, not realistic goals.
Perfectionist attitudes can actually
interfere with success.
It can deny you satisfaction and cause
you to achieve less than people with
more realistic goals.
Causes of perfectionism
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learn early in life you were
mainly valued for your
achievements
Value yourself based
on approval from others
Feel vulnerable to criticism
Decide to be perfect as a defence
Vicious circle
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Set an unreachable goal.
Fail, as the goal was impossible to achieve
Constant pressure and failure reduces
effectiveness.
Growing self criticism and blame,
exhaustion, anxiety and depression.
At this point you may give up completely
on your original goal and set yourself
another unrealistic goal, thinking "This
time if only I try harder I will succeed".
Myth 1: I wouldn’t be the success I
am if I weren't such a perfectionist
REALITY:
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No evidence that
perfectionists are more
successful, more likely
the reverse!
Success may be achieved
despite compulsive
striving.
Myth 2: Perfectionists get things
done and they do things right.
REALITY:
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Procrastination, missed deadlines,
low productivity
Small tasks become overwhelming
Agonizing over non-critical details.
Myth 3: Perfectionists are determined
to overcome all obstacles to success
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REALITY:
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Can’t concentrate on the
process of getting the task
done.
Writer’s block
Depression and anxiety.
Myth 4: Perfectionists just have this
enormous desire to please others
REALITY:
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Relationships become complicated
Achievers are willing to make
mistakes and risk failure.
Imperfection is part of being
human.
What can I do about it?
Realize that
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Perfectionism
is undesirable
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Perfection is an illusion
that is unattainable.
Strategies to move forward – I
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Set realistic goals
Set goals in sequence
Experiment with standards for success.
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Try for 80% or even 60%
Focus on the process of doing an
activity not just the end result.
Evaluate success in terms of whether
you enjoyed the task.
Strategies to move forward - II
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Check your feelings:
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Face your fears:
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"Have I set up impossible expectations for myself
in this situation?"
"What am I afraid of? What is the worst thing
that could happen?"
Allow mistakes
Work with others, break up the inner
dialogue!
Writing is personal
What psychological and
personal issues are evoked
in me through the task of
writing?
Dynamics of writing
include:
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Trying to please
Wanting to be clever
Wanting to achieve as highly as
others
Historic patterns, such as last
minute success
Dynamics of writing
Past
relationships
Current
relationships
My
relationship
with the
Writing task
What can I do?
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Look at my internal dynamics
Write down historic messages
Record a more realistic
assessment of your ability and
worth as a person
Writing Strategies - I
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Free yourself up
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Wait for a structure to arrive
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Bullet points, mind maps, scribble ideas
Go for a walk; Talk out loud
Give yourself time to work it out
Learning and writing involve unconscious processes
Work with others, use study groups, etc.
Writing Strategies – II
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Relaxation
Regular time to switch off
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(and process your task in the back of your
mind)
Recall past achievements
Imagine looking back at this task in 2 or
6 months time
The final stage of writing
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Time to think
Allow a structure to emerge
Budget about an hour for each sheet
Aim for clarity, rather than being stylish.
Let go of putting an essay together like a
jigsaw
Remember - is it a book or an essay?
Conclusions
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Look after yourself (diet,
sleep)
Keep a supportive structure
for your day to day life
Remember the end point –
you will have written the
essay that only you could
have written at this time in
your life.
Sources of advice and help
•Your Academic Adviser
•Departmental staff
•Disability and Wellbeing Service
•Student Union and Advice Centre
•Deans
•Student Counselling Service
•Language Centre
Library, IT Services
Student Services Centre
Moodle: Learning World
Medical Centre
TLC study-skills advisers
LSE Peer Supporters
Don't wait until problems have grown
impossibly large
It’s OK to ask for help earlier
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LSE Student Counselling
Service – KSW.507
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Free and confidential
Mainly short term counselling
Book appointments in advance
See Website for
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Stress management handouts
Self help resources
Relaxation MP3’s
Future Workshops
How to deal with study related stress
Thursday 28 October, 3.00-5.00: OLD 4.10
How to build confidence for academic writing
Wednesday 14 October, 3.30-4.30: KSW.G.01
Friday 30 October, 3:30-4:30: KSW.G.01
How to manage depression
Friday 13 November, 2:00pm - 3:30pm: KSW.G.01
How to manage your time effectively
Thursday 19 November, 2.00-4.00: OLD 4.10
How to learn from experience: End of term review
Wednesday 02 December, 12.00-1.00: KSW.G.01
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Groups
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Stress Management Group (3 weeks)
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Self Esteem Group (3 weeks)
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Therapy Group (7 weeks)
Places on all groups need to be booked in advance.
Please see the website, Call Ext 3627, visit KSW.507 or email
[email protected].
And finally …