Key self-coaching questions [Self-coaching series for academics Ep. 2]

The real reason you’re “procrastinating” 

If you’ve ever told yourself you “just don’t have time” to write, this episode will gently call you out—in the best way. You’ll discover what’s actually underneath procrastination and perfectionism (hint: it’s emotional, not logistical), and why understanding that changes everything about how you approach your writing.

A simple question that can instantly unlock stuck projects

What if the thing keeping you stuck isn’t the task—but the feeling you’re trying to avoid? This episode gives you a deceptively simple question that can cut through resistance fast. Once you see it, you won’t be able to unsee it—and it might be the key to finally opening that draft you’ve been avoiding.

The mindset shift to move past fear

If fear of rejection, failure, or judgment is slowing you down, this episode introduces a question that flips your perspective completely. You’ll learn how to recognize when your “worst-case scenario” is already happening—and how that realization can free you to take action immediately.

The hardest (and most important) question

This episode ends with a question that sounds simple—but can be deeply confronting: What do I want? If you’ve been prioritizing everyone else’s expectations over your own goals, this moment in the episode will hit. It’s an invitation to reconnect with your own agency, desires, and direction.

A practical tool you can use today—no coach required

You don’t need a coaching session to benefit from this episode. You’ll walk away with three specific questions you can use immediately—whether you’re stuck on a paper, avoiding a decision, or just feeling off track. These are tools you can return to again and again.

About the Self-Coaching for Academics Series

This special podcast series is a practical introduction to self-coaching—designed specifically for academics. Across these episodes, you’ll learn how to examine your thinking, untangle emotional reactions, and make clearer, more aligned decisions about your writing and career. Instead of more productivity hacks, you’ll gain tools to shift beliefs, reduce false urgency, and build real confidence from the inside out. If you’re ready to think differently about your academic life, start with this series.

Links & Resources Mentioned

• Navigate Program (and Intensive):
  https://scholarsvoice.org/navigate

• Email list signup (“In the Pipeline” newsletter):
  https://scholarsvoice.org

• Coach mentioned:
  Natalie Miller