This past weekend, I was proud to walk across the stage to receive my diploma from having earned my Executive MBA from Southern Methodist University in Dallas. Those that shared this chapter in my life with me during this program (my husband, family, friends and classmates) helped me through this challenging and exciting time, and to them I give my heartfelt thanks.
To say the last two years of my life has been a journey would be an understatement, but there are so many lessons I learned going through and completing this amazing experience that I wanted to share some of the top ones with you that might help you in your every day life and business.
Always Be Open to Learning – At any age and stage in your career, knowledge is power. Don’t be afraid to push your brain outside its comfort zone to be open to new challenges. Just remember Dr. Seuss’ Oh, The Places You’ll Go!’
Time Management – I’ve never been a last minute kind of person, but when you have a full time career and a family, time management is key to making sure you are not at a FedEx Office at 3:00 in the morning wrapping up a homework project for 8:00 that day. Find yourself there once, and time management becomes your best friend.
Confidence – If you don’t think you can, you won’t. Believe in yourself. You are so much stronger than you think.
Take Risks – The absolute worst that can happen is you fail and learn something from it…….so there is really nothing to loose.
Empathy – The best excel at deeply understanding other people’s needs and motivations. Remember to listen more than you talk.
Consistency – It’s not good enough to act a certain way 98% of the time, because people will remember the 2% of the time your actions were different.
Being Different is Great – My class was full of some extremely bright and talented classmates that I spent long and tireless hours with. Our strengths and weaknesses became our connection to becoming better at the end of the program than we were in the beginning.
It’s Not Just About You – You don’t go through something like this alone. Everyone around you becomes your biggest fan and cheerleader to keep you motivated and in the game.
Setting Examples – You don’t realize it, but you quietly set examples for those that are watching you. Always do the best you can, and then push yourself a little harder.
Carpe Diem – Two years of your life goes by quicker than you think. Enjoy every moment of the journey and not just the reward at the end.