Go slower to go faster
The other day I was talking to a GMBA student about their studies. They did great on the recent coursework – excellent score, WhatsApp high fives from the study group, another assignment successfully ticked off. Yet the student seemed deflated. “You know, I feel like a sports car on autopilot,” they said. “I want the driver back online.”
Doing an MBA will push your productivity and efficiency to new heights. But as you find yourself going at the speed of a sports car, don’t forget – once in a while - to stop and check that you are still going where you want to go.
See, the driver can get carried away. They might have started the journey with a clear goal in mind:
- Expand my network and build lifelong relationships, or
- Transition into tech, or
- Get promotion ready through building my visibility, or
- Find a co-founder for my business idea etc etc.
But then the race takes over. Reading, listening, processing, executing, pushing through each day. Getting the right knowledge, getting the right grades.
Are you still going where you want to go?
The upcoming break and College closure might offer you some breathing space for a check-in. Here are some ways to go about it:
Book a 1:1. Speak with your dedicated Career Coach/Consultant (once they are back from their Easter holiday on a Spanish island – not naming any names here!) We in the careers team are very experienced in helping inspire and guide your self-reflection – and turn these reflections into practical and manageable actions.
(Re)-visit your Career Strategy Workbook. Take 15 minutes to reflect on what you want your career journey to look like from here; what matters most to you. Then ask yourself – how is this reflected in what I am doing day-to-day, month-to-month? Is there anything I need to change?
Just rest. Reflection might seem like an idle activity to an observer, but we know the truth – it’s a brain HIIT workout if done properly. So, if you are low on energy, sleep deprived, down with a cold (just as the break starts – classic), allow yourself to forget about active reflection for the time being. Let yourself switch off completely. If Albert Einstein came up with his theory of relativity when riding his bicycle, imagine what you can do with a comfortable sofa and a Netflix subscription. And when you feel stronger, book that 1:1.
Mila Komarova, EMBA Careers and Coaching Lead
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Go slower to go faster
Success in your MBA means occasionally slowing down to confirm you're still headed where you want to go.