Where there is a will, there is a way…
Reetu Gupta, TMMBA Student
It’s Monday, almost midnight. Clock is going to change to next date any minute now. How will be my tomorrow? Equally busy – probably. Better in some way – Definitely! Every day when I go to bed, I feel I accomplished so much in my last 24 hours that I’m a better person than I was yesterday.
I am feeling really tired right now after reviewing my group project report for Micro Economics class. I look thru my home office French doors. Glass doors have hands prints of both my girls, aged 2 and 5. I’m wondering how do I do all this. Is it because I’m crazy or because I’m smart? I like to think of it as latter. What is it that drives me? Is this that every human has in him/ her? I’m sure I have had it for a long time. I never realized it till I came into this program. Now I know that how much more time “24 hours” has. Now I know how much human brain can absorb. Now I know how we can stretch ourselves to the limits we never thought possible.
I’m not saying it’s easy. I’m not saying you jump into ocean without knowing how to swim. I do believe though if you put your mind to it, you can do it. If I can do it, so can you. So here are few tips on how to prepare your self and your environment for this journey that you are about to take.
In March, 2008, I realized that I’m not using my full potential. All these years I had been looking for channels for my energy. I did find some like full time job along with community volunteering, project management outside my job etc. But all of that was not sufficient to make me feel “accomplished” at the end of each day. Then one day light bulb went off – “Why don’t I go for MBA?” That activated a different part of my brain. Excitement of going back to school, meeting new people, connecting with professionals and numerous other advantages set my mind in that direction. And once I made up my mind, there was no turning back. And I knew there is some fact to the saying ‘Where there is a will, there is a way.” That did it for me. Quitting was not an option for me. Even when it gets crazy, I never doubt my decision. One more thing that my neighbor told me just before the program “18 months will pass – MBA or not” is my new mantra. You have to think about it for it to sink in your mind.
In addition to preparing yourself mentally, you have to prepare your environment. That includes your immediate family, friends, co workers and the whole world that belongs to you. you have to prepare them in terms of their expectations from you.
•Talk to your kids – They will have difficulty in understanding why mom or dad is gone so much. Even when mom is home, she can’t play with them since she has to finish her assignments. So talk to them before hand. Prepare them and make them understand. I have 2 and 5 yr old. It is harder with young kids but believe me, they get used to it if you prepare them well.
•Take Vacations – In 2008 summer, after I got accepted in the program we took 3 big vacations where each time we went out of town for 4-5 days. That gave really good memories to whole family to live on for 18 months, before we take next big vacations.
•Finish pending projects – We completed all near term home improvement projects. Minor things that need fixing and may distract you, while you are in the program, won’t be a headache if taken care in advance.
•Organize – December 2008 was the spring cleanup and organization month for me.
•Socialize – We did social gatherings in Nov-Dev, 2008 time frame and conveyed to all our close friends to expect less in terms of phone calls and get togethers, going forward.
•Hire a house cleaner (if you can) – At least you won’t have to worry about dirty house. Calculate your time value in terms of money and I’m sure you’ll come out ahead with a cleaner option.
Overall, if you prepare well, you’ll thank yourself and you’ll be less distracted. If you need more tips, call me. Yes, I still have time to talk on the phone!
