Professor Fang Shu

Do you still remember my research project for which I spent several months collecting the data? (Read Don't Be a Perfectionist) Here's an update: I've finally finished the data analysis. No longer am I a perfectionist!

Having a research project under my belt before starting my Ph.D. dissertation is so beneficial. I am so happy you insisted that I do one. Although I have spent quite a bit of time learning statistics, I still had trouble distinguishing between a mediator and a moderator before starting this project. It used to be difficult for me to understand factor analysis and structural equation modeling, despite watching numerous YouTube videos. You know what? The magical thing happened as I started to analyze the real data that I collected in the real world. My understanding of statistics has improved considerably since then. Additionally, I discovered that I made many mistakes while developing the survey questionnaire, and I realized some of my "great" ideas were actually bullshit. Thank goodness I won't repeat the same mistakes when it comes to my dissertation. 

My training in Brazilian Jiu-jitsu (BJJ) can be related to that as well. Like many BJJ practitioners, I enjoy learning some fancy movements and techniques online. It was, however, only by stepping on the mat that I truly understood how the techniques worked. Additionally, I was frightened to attend any BJJ tournaments and fight with other athletes. However, the magic is that whenever I came back from a tournament, regardless of the result, I was on another level, technically, physically, and mentally.

Thus, if you tell me that you have come up with an awesome idea, I would encourage you to do it! Make it happen or at least know it isn't that great. If you complain that you can hardly understand something, I urge you to do it rather than thinking about it all day long! Trust me, it works! It is the power of DOING!