I was just wondering that is it only me or everyone on the MBA apps boat is going through it? When I start writing, time flies by so quickly. Before I know, couple of hours have gone by and I have ended up writing just 200-250 words :(
Is this happening only to me? I think and think and think and think.....and then end up writing a few sentences. Then, I keep staring at what I wrote and somehow it does not seem right. I end up restructuring or rewording the same thought.
Considering the fact that I am just trying to complete a pen picture of my life and am not even down to the essays yet, am I being too hard on myself? Am I trying to be a perfectionist? Or is this the way I am?
Any thoughts or a similar experience??!
Sunday, July 29, 2007
Saturday, July 28, 2007
Almost done chalking out my whole life on MS word :)
I was supposed to be done with my HBS first draft by this month end (read). There are four more days to go for that and I don't think I will be able to make it! Why do I always miss deadlines?!
Last ten -fifteen days have not been very productive in terms of the actual essays per se. But one good thing which I have been able to accomplish is jotting down all those small stories (which I could think of) from all stages of my life, which I may consider putting in my essays. There is just this aspect of my life, which I am yet to outline, after which I will be all set to actually start writing the essays.
I feel it is really important to first have a sketch of your entire life in front of your eyes, in a document, and then pick and choose from there. Writing down all instances from my life, which I thought maybe worth mentioning in my essays, has added much more clarity to my thoughts.
I plan to finish structuring this one aspect of my life, which is yet to be documented, today and then get going with the actual essays. Wish me best of luck!
Last ten -fifteen days have not been very productive in terms of the actual essays per se. But one good thing which I have been able to accomplish is jotting down all those small stories (which I could think of) from all stages of my life, which I may consider putting in my essays. There is just this aspect of my life, which I am yet to outline, after which I will be all set to actually start writing the essays.
I feel it is really important to first have a sketch of your entire life in front of your eyes, in a document, and then pick and choose from there. Writing down all instances from my life, which I thought maybe worth mentioning in my essays, has added much more clarity to my thoughts.
I plan to finish structuring this one aspect of my life, which is yet to be documented, today and then get going with the actual essays. Wish me best of luck!
Added to Applicant Bloggers List!
Finally, after about a month of blogging on various topics related to my MBA journey, I find my blog listed on Hella's list! It feels good :)
This way I will have the satisfaction that at least someone may benefit from my posts. Moreover I will be able to connect better with fellow applicant bloggers with whom I can share my fears and anxieties along the way.
This way I will have the satisfaction that at least someone may benefit from my posts. Moreover I will be able to connect better with fellow applicant bloggers with whom I can share my fears and anxieties along the way.
Sunday, July 22, 2007
My Father..My Hero...
I have had this habit of worrying about things all my life. I have done great things in my life. Yes! I will leave modesty apart for sometime :) But the journey to all my achievements has been full of instances when I have completely doubted myself, worried myself sick over so many small and petty issues, and kept pondering over things when I should have been working with single minded devotion and focus.
The week ending today has also been like this. There was something which got into my mind (still is) regarding my MBA apps and I wasted a lot of time thinking of so many hypothetical situations which may result because of this.
Like always I was talking to my dad about my MBA journey and he said what he always tells me. Son, keep one thing in mind- Your essays will come out best when you approach them with an open mind. Worrying about this and that is not going to take you anywhere. My dad has been my ideal throughout my life. And this is not a cliche. He has lived his entire life setting an example for me to follow.
I have never seen him worrying ever. I have seen him handle the most difficult of times with a rock solid attitude and never say die spirit. He told me once, son- I have never shied away from any responsibility in life, whatever challenges life has hurled at me, I have accepted them and tried my best to resolve them. This gives me the maximum satisfaction in life- trust me this is as true as it can get, I have seen him do this all his life.
I was once reading the first interview which management guru Ram Charan gave. He had said that he never expected anything in his life, things just took course, he just kept doing what he liked doing. It immediately reminded me of my dad, today he holds a position of very high responsibility. But I have never seen him worrying about his career. I have never seen him compromising on his values just in order to get a promotion. He is the epitome of integrity and self confidence for me. He has never carried work home and when at home he just does what he likes doing he most, reading or spending time with us. I have never seen him sulking about his work or his responsibilities. I have never seen him weak.
Without giving me extensive lectures but just by leading his life the way HE IS, he has taught me so much.
These essays are just the beginning of a long journey which lies ahead. Is getting an Harvard degree the be all and end all of life? More than an MBA degree from a top B School, what will truly help me in leading a fruitful and complete life is my attitude. It is the attitude of a human being which decides their course in life. It is so easy to write this, but trust me it takes so much more to inculcate some of the virtues which I have talked about above.
Dad, you are my idol!
The week ending today has also been like this. There was something which got into my mind (still is) regarding my MBA apps and I wasted a lot of time thinking of so many hypothetical situations which may result because of this.
Like always I was talking to my dad about my MBA journey and he said what he always tells me. Son, keep one thing in mind- Your essays will come out best when you approach them with an open mind. Worrying about this and that is not going to take you anywhere. My dad has been my ideal throughout my life. And this is not a cliche. He has lived his entire life setting an example for me to follow.
I have never seen him worrying ever. I have seen him handle the most difficult of times with a rock solid attitude and never say die spirit. He told me once, son- I have never shied away from any responsibility in life, whatever challenges life has hurled at me, I have accepted them and tried my best to resolve them. This gives me the maximum satisfaction in life- trust me this is as true as it can get, I have seen him do this all his life.
I was once reading the first interview which management guru Ram Charan gave. He had said that he never expected anything in his life, things just took course, he just kept doing what he liked doing. It immediately reminded me of my dad, today he holds a position of very high responsibility. But I have never seen him worrying about his career. I have never seen him compromising on his values just in order to get a promotion. He is the epitome of integrity and self confidence for me. He has never carried work home and when at home he just does what he likes doing he most, reading or spending time with us. I have never seen him sulking about his work or his responsibilities. I have never seen him weak.
Without giving me extensive lectures but just by leading his life the way HE IS, he has taught me so much.
These essays are just the beginning of a long journey which lies ahead. Is getting an Harvard degree the be all and end all of life? More than an MBA degree from a top B School, what will truly help me in leading a fruitful and complete life is my attitude. It is the attitude of a human being which decides their course in life. It is so easy to write this, but trust me it takes so much more to inculcate some of the virtues which I have talked about above.
Dad, you are my idol!
Tuesday, July 17, 2007
Anything but satisfied.....
Last few days have been really a waste in terms of my MBA apps. There were some other things going on and I have been unable to focus on my HBS essays. I was supposed to start the first draft of my HBS essays yesterday night, but could not.
Today also I am sitting in office with nothing much to do, but I can't leave since I have a call with a senior manager in the US. Man, that's the reason why attrition is so high in the software industry!
I REALLY need to speed up now. I have set this month end as the target for completing my HBS first draft. Lets see how it goes. To add to the woes, I have to travel this weekend :(
Today also I am sitting in office with nothing much to do, but I can't leave since I have a call with a senior manager in the US. Man, that's the reason why attrition is so high in the software industry!
I REALLY need to speed up now. I have set this month end as the target for completing my HBS first draft. Lets see how it goes. To add to the woes, I have to travel this weekend :(
Its all about being yourself!
I have been reading a lot of articles/blogs of B School students from the top schools lately. One common message which I could extract from all of them is that- It pays to be who you are.
From your essays during the application process to your time spend at school, what really matters is that you be yourself. I have decided one thing for sure. In my essays I am going to be myself.
People have loved me always for my enthusiasm and energy. Friends and superiors like me for my passion and commitment. Juniors from college and subordinates at work love me for my sensitivity and willingness to help others. My ex managing director feels that I am destined to do well in life. So many people have faith in me...there has to be something about ME??
As my father says...if the B-Schools do not select me, it is their loss, not mine!!
From your essays during the application process to your time spend at school, what really matters is that you be yourself. I have decided one thing for sure. In my essays I am going to be myself.
People have loved me always for my enthusiasm and energy. Friends and superiors like me for my passion and commitment. Juniors from college and subordinates at work love me for my sensitivity and willingness to help others. My ex managing director feels that I am destined to do well in life. So many people have faith in me...there has to be something about ME??
As my father says...if the B-Schools do not select me, it is their loss, not mine!!
Interesting outcome of conversation- Why so much fuss about GOALS??
Day before yesterday I was having a talk with a HBS alumni. He also happened to be in the ad comm during his school days.
He told me something which is REALLY interesting and contrary to popular belief. I was telling him that I really don't know what my long term career goal is and am worried that how will I handle it in my essays. I was worried primarily because my research from various sources always pointed me to- Dude, you need to have your goals absolutely clear! Ad comms are looking for candidates who demonstrate utmost clarity about their future.
He told me that it is ABSOLUTELY normal if you don't know for sure what do you want to do in the long run. Even if you have some clue but do not know the HOW, its fine. It is okay to mention this in your essays as well.
In fact this had to be true. I don't know why everyone focuses on the GOALS so much. I agree that you need to have a rough picture about where you want to land after an MBA, but being crystal clear is not every ones cup of cake. It is a fact that a majority of B School students do not know initially what they want to do . But still everyone creates a fuss about goals.
After all most of us want to do an MBA to switch careers and to find out our calling. B Schools are supposed to clear the dust and make you think hard as to where do you truly belong .
He told me something which is REALLY interesting and contrary to popular belief. I was telling him that I really don't know what my long term career goal is and am worried that how will I handle it in my essays. I was worried primarily because my research from various sources always pointed me to- Dude, you need to have your goals absolutely clear! Ad comms are looking for candidates who demonstrate utmost clarity about their future.
He told me that it is ABSOLUTELY normal if you don't know for sure what do you want to do in the long run. Even if you have some clue but do not know the HOW, its fine. It is okay to mention this in your essays as well.
In fact this had to be true. I don't know why everyone focuses on the GOALS so much. I agree that you need to have a rough picture about where you want to land after an MBA, but being crystal clear is not every ones cup of cake. It is a fact that a majority of B School students do not know initially what they want to do . But still everyone creates a fuss about goals.
After all most of us want to do an MBA to switch careers and to find out our calling. B Schools are supposed to clear the dust and make you think hard as to where do you truly belong .
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