“How to be Productive at an HBCU without Killing Yourself”
The Hub Blog is about writing but not JUST about writing. Our CareFull Scholars program asserts that the health and well-being of the scholar is crucial to the quality and quantity of the scholarship. We seek to cultivate the Scholar’s Mind by tapping into the inherent genius that is our own inner wisdom. To do this we begin with the practice of writing as a set of activities that requires a healthy body, quiet mind, restful spirit and effective use of technology. For those who need to know the whole picture, this week’s blog is the entire outline for the 2022-23 Hub Blog: Writing as a Practice and not just for a Product or “How to be Productive at an HBCU without Killing Yourself.”
For this year-long conversation I’ll be inviting guest bloggers to join me in addressing these topics. We will also respond to your comments as we write together using these and other tools. So, what are you planning to write in the next 3 months? Please, tell us in the comments below, then start today. You have 15 minutes.
Writing as a Practice and not just for a Product
Write to clear: Morning Pages
Write to think: Your Mother Lode document
Write every day (M-F) for 30 minutes (25 + 5 using Pomodoro Method)
Write to empower:
Create knowledge - empirical studies
Synthesize knowledge- lit reviews (Chantelle’s Template),
Pursue Understanding (concept or theoretical papers, practice briefs, special issues)
Establish a Voice- edited books
Get Money- grant proposals (federal, state, private)
Leave a Legacy (influence the field)
A method for DAILY Scholarly Writing
The Pomodoro method uses focused and diffuse thinking
Keeps your writing focused on the task at hand
Strengthens a writing habit: Scheduled 25 minutes for writing+5 min stretch every day M-F
Plan your Pomodoro as you would a meeting
Protect the time. Writing is not done after everything else.
Allows for the connecting of your ideas when productivity is tracked and examined weekly as part of Weekly Planning
Structures for Support that will help change your relationship with your writing.
Mental and Emotional Structures for Support
Personal Visioning- Where does your writing fit in your own strategic plan? (Faculty Success Program)
Collaboration- Join this Community- you don’t have to write alone
Prioritize: Schedule an appointment for your daily writing by planning your week around it (Faculty Success Program)
Technical Structures for Support
Where to put the writing
Mother Lode Google Document
OSF links and OSF Templates
Organizing
Working a Plan
MicroSteps(From the seed idea to the submission)
Logic Models (Does your thinking make sense)
Writing as community (Create accountabilities bigger than you)
Writing Log: Track your progress with tools for Project Planning
Mastering Your Tools
Your computer
A scholar’s desktop
Tabs and shortcuts
Folders and Subfolders
Cloud storage and back-ups
Apps for an efficient workflow
Word Processing Tools
MS Word, Pages
Outline feature
Track changes
References from footnotes
Personal Data Base of Citations
Zotero, Endnote, Refworks and others
Lit Review template- Excel
Software for writing
Craft
Drafts
Notes
Audio files
On line tools for Collaboration
Physical Structures for Support
Place to write that is inviting to you
Personal habits conducive to writing
The Clear Your Desk habit
Keep a notebook for your notes habit
Personal wiki habit
Get rid of paper habit
Know your personal ambience preferences for writing
Use Writing Tools that inspire you
Scrivener(an app for writing)
Levenger(beautiful paper and pens)
Feed your spirit: quiet your mind
Mandala coloring book (paper or digital)
Yoga and Stretching
Walking and Running (10,000 Steps per day)
Eating Healthy (Eat, Not a lot, Mostly plants)