Dissertation stresses

I think one of the biggest mental hurdles for me now being in the dissertation phase of my academic career is that up until this point there are very clear steps you complete. You complete each given assignment for a class. Then you complete a class. Then you complete a series of classes. But now each quarter is not a new class with new assignments to complete but a continuation of the ongoing dissertation process. I realize that there are milestones built into the process for "completion" but its not the same as completing an assignment our a class. There is still more to do and for me it always feels like I need to be doing more. This creates a continuous cycle of stress for me. I am working on developing a way for me to coping with and/or relieving the stress.

Appreciation

I was going through some of my old photos and came across this shot. This isn't one pf the best photos I have taken but I like it because it reminds me of the interactions of nature and an experience I had being able to watch the interaction take place.I think it is important to be able to appreciate our artwork for reasons other than technical quality or sale-ability and this image does that for me.

Using Social Media

I think with the increasing proliferation of different types of social media websites it is important to have a separate strategy to how you are going to engage with each format you decide to participate in. 

I am not here to tell you how you should use each format to make it work best for you other than to say use social media in a way that is specific to you as an individual or business. Everyone is different and has different desires for the goals of using social media so to me everyone's usage should vary depending in their specific circumstances. 

Also don't feel like you need to participate in all iterations of social media. Use the formats that make sense for you. I use Twitter, Facebook, +Google, Pinterest, and LinkedIn. I even have multiple accounts for some of them. However, I use each format and each account differently. 

Some sites I post to more frequently than others and I share different types of things on different sites. For example on Facebook I have three different accounts. I have a business page dedicated solely to my photography business. I have another page dedicated to my PhD Dissertation research where I post things related to that effort. And finally I have a personal page used mainly for keeping in touch with friends and family where I share a wide variety if things across the spectrum. 

Another way I diversify my social media usage is I usually don't post the same things to every site. If I have something I want to share that I think will appeal to my audience on more than one social media platform than I will share it simultaneously in multiple platforms because it makes sense to do that. But one thing to keep in kind is, why would someone follow you on multiple social media formats if you post he same thing in each format. It seems that if you want to build the largest audience it would be smart to diversify your usage. 

Here is an example of one post that I shared across multiple platforms because I felt it would resonate with each one.

Buy a print of your favorite animal and help support the Chemung County SPCA. Now including Buddy, Copper, and Thor. http://krnaturalphoto.photoshelter.com/gallery/SPCA-Animals/G0000Lo3vbBDdmaQ/