As the "1-year-10-month-course" (Prof CDG's words) comes to an end, I finally got some time to reflect on my journey here at NM in particular and Mumbai in general. There are a few things I will share, which I thought would be helpful for others who are embarking their MBA journey this year and in the forthcoming years. And some of you could reminisce on the past few years too! Needless to say, these are my personal views - take it or leave it. Take the good things and leave those you don't like.
p.s. This is not a Scoopwhoop post!
Lesson 1 - Read books
I wish someone was there to tell me this earlier. More often than not, this habit will keep you sane, from the hustle and bustle of MBA life. MBA life was mostly busy, and this helped me relax.
Lesson 2 - Invest in friendships
This is not like school days where you automatically become friends. You need to spend time with people. Time is a luxury good in these two years, meaning it's not easily available.
I have been fortunate to meet a few good men (and women) over the past two years, and they have made my life special. Also, some old friends have come of age - life's looking good now. To make best use of this lesson, take time out to make a list of 15 people who matter to you the most - and stick to that list. For more on this, read 'Busy' by Tony Crabbe.
Lesson 3 - Have a strong value system
Values are simple - honesty, integrity. Old school stuff, but important nevertheless. Easy to talk about, easier to forget in real life - especially at the pace of life we lead here.
Lesson 4 - Be ethical
In one of our discussions, the dean, quoting some research, mentioned that MBAs are one of the most unethical people in the world. I don't disagree totally with him. I have seen things personally as well.
Ethics, according to me is simple - use common sense and do the right thing. Remember this great man, next time you face a conflict of ethics:
Lesson 5 - Less is more
One of my biggest lessons from first year at a B-school. Doing more things, accepting everything that came my way, took me no where. As a blessing in disguise, I was not in any committees in the second year and that helped me realize what is important to me in the long term.
Do a few things that will be of value to you in the long run, say 'No' to everything else. That does not mean being selfish though. There's a difference between being immersed in something you like and being submerged in a sea of mess!
Lesson 6 - Let go
There are many things that seemed unfair to me in first year. Later on I realized there was nothing that could be done to things not under my control. So I let go of those stuff. In the process, the clarity I attained was unbelievable.
Keep doing good things and forget the rest, it always worked for me. After all, self-actualization is more important than instant gratification on Facebook!
Lesson 7 - Sleep well
Some friends and faculties have often said that sacrificing on sleep is okay. On hindsight, I can tell with some amount of conviction that it is not okay. I tried sleeping on time and waking up early for a few weeks - those weeks I was more productive in the classroom, more attentive and felt more energetic throughout the day.
I maintain my stance as I write today!
Lesson 8 - Eat three meals
Skipping breakfast isn't cool, it is just sad! Manage time well. On the rare days I skipped breakfast, I was found thinking about food at 11 AM while the lecture was going on - it's not a good feeling.
Lesson 9 - Punctuality is cool
Murphy's law will work here - you never know when the faculty will close the door at 9 AM for a 9 AM lecture. But it will surely happen when you are late [happened to me!]
Punctuality is a good thing, even if there's no one to appreciate it. Over time, I have picked up the habit of carrying something in PDF format to read in waiting time. Five years down the line, I am sure a culture of punctuality will make difference in organizations.
Lesson 10 - Pursue hobbies
I have seen people with a wide spectrum of hobbies - travel, painting, reading fiction, working on fitness, music, chess... the list is endless. These folks seemed to have a better balance on life, a calming presence and a better head compared to those who didn't have or pursue hobbies relentlessly.
That's about it. Ten is a good number to round off!
In between this hectic life, I have managed to play chess in some beautiful campuses across India - XLRI, SIBM Pune, NITIE, SP Jain, NMIMS and KJ Somaiya. I also managed to visit IIT-Bombay and IIM Indore for other competitions. Overall, this has been a great learning experience.
On a lighter note, I could well be the strongest Indian chess player ever to have an MBA degree from an elite B-school in India :P (For once, let me blow my own trumpet, why not!) So somewhat qualified to give some gyaan!
Thanks to the few great people who made this journey memorable!
ak
p.s. This is not a Scoopwhoop post!
Lesson 1 - Read books
I wish someone was there to tell me this earlier. More often than not, this habit will keep you sane, from the hustle and bustle of MBA life. MBA life was mostly busy, and this helped me relax.
Lesson 2 - Invest in friendships
This is not like school days where you automatically become friends. You need to spend time with people. Time is a luxury good in these two years, meaning it's not easily available.
I have been fortunate to meet a few good men (and women) over the past two years, and they have made my life special. Also, some old friends have come of age - life's looking good now. To make best use of this lesson, take time out to make a list of 15 people who matter to you the most - and stick to that list. For more on this, read 'Busy' by Tony Crabbe.
Lesson 3 - Have a strong value system
Values are simple - honesty, integrity. Old school stuff, but important nevertheless. Easy to talk about, easier to forget in real life - especially at the pace of life we lead here.
Lesson 4 - Be ethical
In one of our discussions, the dean, quoting some research, mentioned that MBAs are one of the most unethical people in the world. I don't disagree totally with him. I have seen things personally as well.
Ethics, according to me is simple - use common sense and do the right thing. Remember this great man, next time you face a conflict of ethics:
Lesson 5 - Less is more
One of my biggest lessons from first year at a B-school. Doing more things, accepting everything that came my way, took me no where. As a blessing in disguise, I was not in any committees in the second year and that helped me realize what is important to me in the long term.
Do a few things that will be of value to you in the long run, say 'No' to everything else. That does not mean being selfish though. There's a difference between being immersed in something you like and being submerged in a sea of mess!
Lesson 6 - Let go
There are many things that seemed unfair to me in first year. Later on I realized there was nothing that could be done to things not under my control. So I let go of those stuff. In the process, the clarity I attained was unbelievable.
Keep doing good things and forget the rest, it always worked for me. After all, self-actualization is more important than instant gratification on Facebook!
Lesson 7 - Sleep well
Some friends and faculties have often said that sacrificing on sleep is okay. On hindsight, I can tell with some amount of conviction that it is not okay. I tried sleeping on time and waking up early for a few weeks - those weeks I was more productive in the classroom, more attentive and felt more energetic throughout the day.
I maintain my stance as I write today!
Lesson 8 - Eat three meals
Skipping breakfast isn't cool, it is just sad! Manage time well. On the rare days I skipped breakfast, I was found thinking about food at 11 AM while the lecture was going on - it's not a good feeling.
Lesson 9 - Punctuality is cool
Murphy's law will work here - you never know when the faculty will close the door at 9 AM for a 9 AM lecture. But it will surely happen when you are late [happened to me!]
Punctuality is a good thing, even if there's no one to appreciate it. Over time, I have picked up the habit of carrying something in PDF format to read in waiting time. Five years down the line, I am sure a culture of punctuality will make difference in organizations.
 |
| I've made a list of these people! |
Lesson 10 - Pursue hobbies
I have seen people with a wide spectrum of hobbies - travel, painting, reading fiction, working on fitness, music, chess... the list is endless. These folks seemed to have a better balance on life, a calming presence and a better head compared to those who didn't have or pursue hobbies relentlessly.
That's about it. Ten is a good number to round off!
In between this hectic life, I have managed to play chess in some beautiful campuses across India - XLRI, SIBM Pune, NITIE, SP Jain, NMIMS and KJ Somaiya. I also managed to visit IIT-Bombay and IIM Indore for other competitions. Overall, this has been a great learning experience.
On a lighter note, I could well be the strongest Indian chess player ever to have an MBA degree from an elite B-school in India :P (For once, let me blow my own trumpet, why not!) So somewhat qualified to give some gyaan!
Thanks to the few great people who made this journey memorable!
ak
