a-b-c paradigms: an online course for academics

A-B-C Paradigms

An online course that empowers academics to be authentic,

balanced and creative

© Sharmishtha Dattagupta

The A-B-C Paradigms course introduces eleven humorous and

compassionate paradigm-shifts that will help you transcend

limiting beliefs and discover your own unique path to living and

working with authenticity, balance and creativity.

What paradigm-shifts are we talking about?

Read on…


As academics we are trained to think critically, which is an

essential skill for research. However, when the sharply critical mind

turns its power on our own ideas and abilities, it has the potential

to trap us in self-doubt, guilt and feeling like an imposter. What

would our lives and work look like if we could calm our inner

critics?

A-B-C Paradigm-

Shift

1


Calm your inner critic

Be self-critical

We have a great capacity for thinking: for bouncing off ideas,

discussing problems, and analysing issues. However, are we able to

quieten our minds when we need to? Our mind may chatter away as

we try to fall asleep or spend a relaxing evening, and may even bring its

noisy self to our precious vacations! Back at work, we may be unable to

concentrate, as our mind spins with distracting thoughts and worries.

What if we could rest our minds and be able to think clearly?

A-B-C Paradigm-

Shift

2


Think less, yet clearly

Think it through

Always wondering how we're supposed to get through our

mounting to-do list and wishing that there were more than 48

hours in a day, we feel constantly and chronically behind.

What if time could expand?

A-B-C Paradigm-

Shift

3


There’s enough time

There’s too little time

As academics, our work is a big part of our lives, and the

complexities and challenges of our personal lives often influence our

work. So while it is helpful to set healthy boundaries, it is absurd and

even impossible to make a dichotomy between work and life and try

to find a balance between the two. What if we could learn how to

set clear and balanced priorities that enhance the quality of both

life and work?

A-B-C Paradigm-

Shift

4


Set balanced priorities

Achieve work-life balance

We've been told that we get the best fruits of our labour through hard

work. We work long hours in the office even on days when we're not

making progress, we join committees and take up responsibilities as a

reaction to perceived pressures, and we continue with projects and

collaborations long after they have stopped being rewarding for us. All

of this leads us to feeling depleted, exhausted, or even burnout. What if

we could work in a way that rejuvenates us instead?

A-B-C Paradigm-

Shift

5


Work wisely

Work as hard as possible

We work on revision after revision of our paper or presentation

and are never quite satisfied with what we've produced. We

hesitate to invite feedback on preliminary versions of manuscripts

or proposals and then feel devastated by criticism on our final,

'perfected' versions. What if we could nurture our creativity by

embracing imperfection?

A-B-C Paradigm-

Shift

6


Embrace imperfection

Strive for perfection

A-B-C Paradigm-

Shift

7


Find answers within

Rely on advice

Each time we find ourselves at an important crossroad, we reach out for

advice. We listen to feedback and opinions of so-called experts. We talk

to well-meaning mentors, friends and family who empathise with our

doubts. While this can be very helpful at times, at other times it leads us

to taking decisions that are not aligned with our integrity and values.

What if we could access and listen to the voice of wisdom within?

A-B-C Paradigm-

Shift

8


Connect with your genius

Doubt your genius

We've been told that modesty is one of our better qualities and

only geniuses can afford to take it easy. Since we seriously

doubt that we're one of them, we try to make our mark through

diligence and hard work. What if we have a genius waiting to

be set free?

A-B-C Paradigm-

Shift

9


Curate less, create more

Gather more information

We've fallen asleep again and again on the sofa after reading the

first two lines of yet another paper. We've started wondering if we've

lost our passion and interest for the subject we used to love. We keep

reprimanding ourselves, setting new goals of being more informed,

and yet seldom, anything changes. What if could curate less and

create more?

A-B-C Paradigm-

Shift

10


Embrace uncertainty

Latch on to certainty

We've been told that there are very limited jobs for the unique

interdisciplinary specialty we have chosen and we're doomed to 'publish or

perish'. So we stop taking on challenging projects that have higher

chances of failure and we're tempted to sign up for an uninteresting job in

the middle of nowhere, despite groans and protests from every part of our

bodies and minds. What if we could compassionately transcend our fears

and start to explore options with curiosity?

A-B-C Paradigm-

Shift

11


Follow your callings

Strive for success

We often define success based on how we are perceived by others,

which is an endless road with an elusive goal. We judge our worth

based on how many papers we have published, what our citation index

is, and whether we have been granted tenure or not. Even when we

end up succeeding in these goals, we often feel hollow and unfulfilled

inside. What if we focus instead on what is truly meaningful for us so that

we can experience inner ‘success' and deep fulfilment?

Participate to shift your mindset!

Join the A-B-C Paradigms online course to learn powerful tools, be

guided through insightful exercises, and receive live coaching

that will support you to shift your mindset so that you can live and

work with authenticity, balance and creativity.

Register before April 15, 2017

by writing to Dr. Sharmishtha Dattagupta ([email protected])


mailto:[email protected]?subject=

a-b-c paradigms: an online course for academics

Education