The next step

In early 2006, the thought of completing my dissertation and graduating before the end of the year seemed impossible. I was deeply involved in three different projects. Although they were closely related scientifically, I thought it impossible to complete all of them in such a short time. To my surprise, my adviser repeatedly told me that this was the year I would finish and that I should start thinking about what to do next. How could I possibly finish this year? Deciding my next step would be even more difficult.