When she was asked to write an article on how she used quantitative research methods in her doctoral dissertation, the author eagerly jumped at the chance. Not because she is some sort of expert on the topic, but rather because she wishes someone had given her some insights into the journey she was about to embark on. Although the course work for her doctoral degree served as a strong foundation for the voyage, the dissertation phase was still a leap of faith. She often felt as though she was "shooting in the dark" and would be lucky to hit the target. In this article, the author shares the personal experiences, struggles, and "aha moments" that she endured and enjoyed during the dissertation process. She hopes that these thoughts will provide others with some insights and words of encouragement to persevere in completing what is undoubtedly one of the most rewarding challenges in a doctoral student's education. (Contains 3 footnotes.)