Approaching Large Tasks by Focusing on Small, Attainable Steps

 When faced with a monumental task, such as writing a dissertation, thinking about the project as a whole may seem overwhelming and even paralyzing. Instead, people should think about the project in terms of small, attainable steps. Using the example of a dissertation, these steps may include meeting with an advisor about progress, reading a source and taking notes, or reviewing an exemplary dissertation in a related field. These steps should all take 45 minutes or less. If any step seems to take longer, it should be divided into more discrete tasks to avoid feeling overwhelmed. For example, instead of thinking about writing an entire chapter as one step, this can be broken down into multiple tasks, such as reviewing sources, writing an outline, completing a subsection, and making revisions.

Reflecting on your project is also a valuable step in the process. One of the best ways to encourage reflection is to go for a walk with a friend and talk about your project and what makes it important to you. This simple action can recharge your drive to tackle the project. Inspiration can also come by talking to people in similar fields, or by reading seminal works related to your project.

Writing as a Therapy for People with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

 Research has shown that writing can prove extremely therapeutic for individuals suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). In his book The Wounded Storyteller: Body, Illness, and Ethics, Dr. Arthur W. Frank argues that writing helps individuals come to terms with permanent changes to their minds and bodies. When people cannot quickly return to the level of health they had before an illness, they can use writing to process the emotions that may lie hidden deep in their subconscious mind. People going through PTSD, as well as their loved ones, may consciously and unconsciously bury certain thoughts and emotions as a coping mechanism. Through writing, people have a vehicle for exploring these emotions in a safe, controlled manner.

Veterans with PTSD sometimes feel bombarded by disturbing thoughts that can consume their minds. These thoughts may come at any time and without warning, which can make people feel like they are no longer in control of their lives. Writing is a tool to confront and process these thoughts in a constructive manner. Over time, writing can give these individuals power over their thoughts and help them regulate their emotions more effectively.