Getting the research badge

So a while back a fellow PhD friend and I were chatting and we giggled about how getting a PhD is like a series of "tests" or "trials" (viva's) that we have to go through in order to become research superhero's. But recently this has continually been on my mind.

I've been reading a book "Long Standing Ambition" by Jono Dunnett, which is his story of how he windsurfed, unsupported around Britain. Although totally different challenge it is still a long project, with uncertain challenges that had highs and lows along the way. He was successful and enjoyed it so much he is now windsurfing round Europe. In reading his story I keep seeing how he grew stronger and more accomplished along the way. Which I've been feeling with my PhD journey recently.

Originally I thought that each viva (I have a total of 4 to do) would represent another stage in my journey and that I would collect my superhero boots, eye mask, cape, and emblem and then be released out into the world. But I've found that there are many more "tests" than I expected. Yes the formal viva's are still a big part of it, but there is peer-review, ethics process, getting your study open, recruiting your first participant , getting a manuscript rejected (more than once), and that's just what I've been through in the past few months. So I can only imagine the challenges that I'll have to face in the upcoming year.

The good news is that which every challenge fight through I get more confident, more knowledgeable, understand myself and the process better. What I find even more exciting is that when the same challenge pops up again, like another rejection from a journal or a funding body, I navigate it a bit better than the time before. I'm learning to use my time and energy more efficiently, which is making me into a better clinical academic.

I'm also getting better at recognizing all the "smaller" challenges, using my fear bubble more appropriately, and celebrating the successful completion of each little challenge and goal. I'm finding that this helps me stay focused while not getting overwhelmed with the greater goal of completing my PhD on time. So although I'm not going to be sitting my second viva until mid Oct, I've decided that with all I've achieved I get to "put on" my superhero eye mask (I got the boots after my first viva).