Real Academics Blog

Dear Real Academics, There's an old Frasier episode where two of the main characters -- who, by the way, have Ph.D.'s -- are trying to co-write a book manuscript. For those of you who don't know, Frasier is a sitcom from the 1990's. 😊 They try to write at home, but they draw a blank on how to begin the first sentence.  So, they decide to lock themselves in a hotel to be free of distractions.  As one poses his fingers over the keyboard, the other finally comes up with one sentence, while the other elaborates on it.  But it's too late.  The sun comes up and they managed to only write one sentence by their due date. Of course, this is what I want to NOT happen to you.  But... Have you ever felt this way?  Perhaps you have so much you want to say but you don't know where to start. Or, like the sitcom characters described above, you are afraid of getting that first sentence perfect. Perhaps you just don't know what to say. Or,  you are afraid that if you start w

Dear Real Academics, YOU are real academics (why else would you be reading this post?). :-)  You don't need initials after your name (e.g., B.A., B.S., M.S., M.D., M.A., Ed.D., Ph.D.) to qualify, but if you have them or are in the process of getting them...great! What you do need is an insatiable passion for learning, knowing, growing, doing, and wanting to get to the truth as you live out your life.  In fact, we want to help you live out your life joyfully and meaningfully with the gifts, talents, skills, and passions you uniquely bring to the table. As real academics, you are on life adventures.  Whether you are  just reading this blog for the first time,  signed up to receive helpful newsletters delivered to your email inbox,  explored our website  with resources and cool events for you,  or have met with us personally for a coaching session, we are glad you are reading this. Until next time, Maggie and Tiberio www.therealacademics.com

Dear Real Academics, Confession: I'm dying to write. I am one of those strange people that enjoys writing (most of the time).  The last 12 years have demanded quite an enormous amount of writing from me. From writing doctoral level papers, to a dissertation, to over 25 publications (and counting), and everything else (e.g., job applications, award letters, letters of support, conference presentations/papers, annual review reports, course materials for online work).  I've enjoyed this writing for the most part, mainly because I love to learn, achieve, and keep growing. But...after waiting to hear if I received tenure (I did!) and the pandemic hitting at the same time last Spring (yes, THE Spring of 2020), I stopped writing. I was burnt out, thrown off, exhausted, and even de-motivated.  Well, I didn't completely STOP. I've kept writing. I've provided an insane amount of writing feedback for others (students, colleagues, journals -- oh so many journal reviews!). And I