This has to be one of the most, if not THE most important part of your success plan for your doctoral degree. Choosing the right research topic is vital to your ongoing self-motivation, peace of mind and can even affect the work career you intend to start after graduation.

Whether you are a distance degree student or on-campus, the same principles do closely apply.

First of all, make sure you really want to commit 2 or 3 years of your life to this terminal degree (the highest level degree!) You should have been thinking for some time already about what you want to focus your research on, but if you haven't, or just haven't had the time yet, select a dissertation topic that you are extremely excited about and have passion for. It must be so exciting and interesting to you that you are able to jump out of bed on weekend mornings and study and write and research right through the weekend and STILL feel energized and buoyant on Monday morning. It really has to be that good a topic.

It is almost like starting a new business - choose something you are passionate about, but if you don't you'll lose interest and your ability to succeed will have been thwarted right from the start. Bear in mind though that your Master degree professors and careers advisors are there to help.

A dissertation topic that carries your highest interest will encourage feedback from colleagues, peers, advisors, other faculties, and even the industry that is involved in the research. The energy you output can be that contagious. You will gladly and openly discuss it at social gatherings.

That deep yearning for researching your topic of choice is what will get you through that towering mountain of a dissertation. Don't put yourself into a position where giving up later on cold have been avoided. Plan this decision carefully. Discuss with friends and family too if it helps.

A final note. The dissertation is the bottom line, the bread-and-the-butter of academia. So choose your focus wisely.

Stay on the ball. Keep it real.