The MBA I Never Finished And What I Found Instead
The Unconventional Path From An Unfinished MBA To A Powerful PMBA
I enrolled in an MBA program and never finished.
The countless hours of extra math lessons, surviving Pythagorean theory over a glass of wine with my teacher Jasper (he was on the orange juice), were all for nothing... or so I thought. Jasper was a legend; he was more of a psychologist, to be honest. As I contemplated life's problems, the practicality of math, and the mysterious ways sin, cos, and tan were supposed to enhance my career, I was there, week after week, determined to pass my GMAT and join the exclusive club of MBA holders.
The Real Drive
In hindsight, I never really wanted an MBA, but I did want to prove I deserved a seat at the grownups' table – the boardroom, and this was my way to do it! I grew up in an era where women had to prove themselves. Perhaps it's still the same today, but I never minded. As a competitive person, it drove me to prove I was equal and pushed me to strive to be better.
When Life Happens
Fast forward a few months and several gruelling tests later, I was an MBA student... and then I wasn't. You see, life happened. I was offered an incredible job opportunity that took me to Tokyo, Japan, for a global corporation, all without an MBA, mind you. Amid a divorce, packing up to move to a foreign country, and facing health challenges, I never completed the MBA program... I barely even started. In the chaos, I didn't even consider deferring because I was in survival mode. I felt ashamed, having not completed what I set out to do. Although I had what I considered "valid excuses" at the time, they were still just that… excuses.
Personal Growth And Realizations
I've worked hard on personal growth and self-awareness, the cornerstones of a better self and life. I understood why I wanted to do an MBA (yes, it all stemmed from ego and lack of self-confidence) – I wanted acceptance, I wanted visibility. Perhaps the universe was showing me that when you undertake something with misguided intentions, it's unlikely to work in your favor. Now that the dust has settled, I've moved on from my divorce (we're even friends now), I have an amazing partner, I've started my own freelancing and consulting business, and I've overcome many of my health issues, but the "unfinished business" of the MBA still gnawed at me.
A New Start
So, I went back to finish what I started, not the traditional MBA, as I realized I didn't need it to "validate my worth" internally and externally. Instead, I pursued a Power PMBA, a digital online MBA that ensured I finished what I started, even if "imperfectly"in my eyes. I now understand red and blue oceans, business finance, human resources, and product/market fit - all these will help me be a better marketer, business owner, leader, and team member.
The Power Of Completion
Achieving success and finishing what you start are never easy. The moral of the story is this: when you start something and don't see it through to completion, you reinforce a belief that you can't finish what you start. So, no, you don’t have to sign up for an MBA or force yourself to stay in a job you don’t like...But you do need to commit to doing the thing you signed up for if it’s what you REALLY want to do and if it’s important to you. The reasons are yours and yours alone.
I still might not know how to manipulate fractions, decimals, and ratios, but I've learned:
You will get the opportunity to prove to yourself that even the impossible is possible.
You will gain self-confidence and assurance because you accomplished what you thought you could not.
You will always learn something new. Finishing a task builds a new skill set, and that can only be valuable.
But most importantly, you will learn to trust yourself. The power of finishing what you started is the ultimate form of self-trust – a value most of us seek.
So, remember, sometimes finishing imperfectly is better than not finishing at all.
Go Forth and Conquer!
In Memory of Jasper
This post is dedicated to Jasper – my patient and fondly remembered math teacher. Jasper has sadly passed away. I did it, Jasper. We did it. I know you believed we could (it took me long enough). RIP, I hope you and Newton are enjoying challenging each other on mathematical equations and savouring the finest orange juice on offer.
