R-E-S-P-E-C-T and Dissertations
March 25th is Aretha Franklin’s birthday. Her iconic song is R-E-S-P-E-C-T, and that’s exactly what you’re looking for with your doctoral degree…
Singer Aretha Franklin is widely regarded as one of the greatest singers of our time. She has won a total of 18 Grammy Awards and has sold over 75 million records worldwide. Her cover of “Respect” (written by Otis Redding) is her signature song, in which she demands to be shown respect. I think you know her version of the song:
R-E-S-P-E-C-T
Find out what it means to me
R-E-S-P-E-C-T
Take care … TCB (Taking Care of Business)
Sock it to me, Sock it to me, Sock it to me, Sock it to me [etc]
Well, Franklin demanded respect, and people listened! One way she has been shown this respect is that universities have absolutely fallen all over themselves to give her honorary degrees, often doctorates. She has received eight honorary doctorates: Princeton University (2012), Yale University (2010), Brown University (2009), Berklee College of Music (2006), New England Conservatory of Music (1995), University of Michigan (1987), Wayne State University (1990), Bethune-Cookman College (1975).
Wow! Looks like that song “Respect” turned out to be her “dissertation!” Hard work comes in a lot of different forms. When everything works well, working for something often gets you the respect you are looking for. Sometimes you also get extra perks you may not have planned on. It certainly worked that way for Dr. Franklin. But, unless you are a fabulously successful musical superstar, I think you’re going to have to get your doctoral degree the old-fashioned way…by writing your dissertation. Feel free to pump up the tunes while you’re working, though!
Are you ready to take care of business and finish your dissertation so you can move on to something else? Click here to schedule a quick, 15-minute chat with me to see if you’re a good fit for our Fast Track Your Dissertation Coaching Program. If you are, then I’ll invite you to join the fastest group of dissertation students out there and help you to reach graduation a good year or two faster than you would on your own.
