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Wednesday, December 28, 2011

Taking A Leap of Faith- God Provides

July of 2010- I received my acceptance letter to the new Concordia MBA Program... and the first bill.  Suddenly- going back to school became a reality, and that shifted late night conversations with my husband about the dreams of going back to school to the "hows" of making it happen.  Working for a nonprofit has plenty of perks, but pay is generally not known to be one of them.  Matt was also a full-time graduate student, and his upcoming practicum and internship would make getting a job pretty difficult.  Resources were tight to say the least, and I specifically remember sitting on the couches in our living room, and we had just received the letter outlining the financial obligations of the program.  Matt, the pragmatist in our relationship (in case you haven't already picked up that obvious trait), didn't see how we could make this happen without going further into debt.  Already, we were having to do most of his schooling through student loans.  The reality was we were going to be over $40,000 in debt by the end of these endeavors.  And here I was- wanting to go back to school without any real clarity about how this would benefit my future. 

It seemed a bit of a stretch to make sense of it; however, for about 3 years I had been playing with the idea of my MBA.  After a Business Women's Luncheon with a local speaker talking about education and another local MBA Program, I just couldn't extinguish the thought.  The fire was sparked, and to be honest, I really felt the Lord putting it on my heart in preparation for where He's taking me.  I also through prayer, felt the Lord taking me to Concordia, in lieu of my contacts with the other program's Director.  It was tough, because Concordia was about $6,000 more, but it's focus on nonprofits, the ability to spend more time at home and with my family, and the Lord's leading, in general, just made this the decision for me- and I didn't even apply to the other.

It was a long conversation that night, and my dreams and stubborn drive (in case you haven't already picked up that obvious trait) made the case, and Matt said he would support my decision.

In the following months, a contact I had made in the community approached me about a scholarship she knew of, and I received $1,000.  It was just a portion of the total bill school would cost, but it was enough for God to demonstrate his provision, and for us to move forward.  Then the school received a generous scholarship from a personal donor for the first MBA scholarship, and wouldn't you know- God again demonstrates His faithfulness.  Then, Matt and I felt convicted that we really shouldn't go into anymore debt, and that whatever it took, we would try to pay for the semesters as we went.  And then the freezes from salary increases at work was lifted.  I crossed paths with a lady from a local association, and she remembered to include me in the request for applications for their scholarships, and God again has been faithful to provide.  All in all, $12,500 has been provided in the means of scholarships.  Concordia MBA offers $50 off per credit hour, because I work for a nonprofit.  So far I have taken 24 credit hours, so this equals $1,200, adding up to a grand total of $13,700 in provision.  I say this not that I may boast, but to demonstrate that when God guides your path- He provides.  Now I had to be faithful in my part of applications, and even some declines in scholarships, but if we are steadfast and do our part, He will make a way. 

I just wanted to write this as an encouragement to anyone who may have a God inspired dream- and also to give the Lord a shout-out.  Wait on His timing.  There were times I wanted to go back before that never really amounted to much, but once I really felt Him say go- it just really has been a time of provision... and all in His timing.  Step by step, He is so faithful.

So here I am, ready to begin semester 5 out of 6 in the Concordia MBA.  Through God's provision, its looking more and more like my actual expenses with the program will actually be the difference in cost between the two programs I had been considering, or less.  I could not have seen that coming from that night of conversations on the couch, but I suppose that's why we leave our futures in His hands. 

2012 Isn't as Far Away as it Once Was (An Obvious Statement)

Its hard to believe that this really is the last week of 2011.  This year just blew past me, and I'm thinking it may have something to do with the fact that I was in the MBA program for the full calendar year.  Semesters can at times seem like a mountain, and 15 weeks can stretch on longer than you think.  But as you jump from deadline to deadline and project to project, the weeks of the year really do seem to fly.  I really remember like it was last week when I was writing with excitement about all I was learning in both Marketing and Economics.  Graduation in 2012 seemed forever away.  Yet here we are, about 7.5 months away from completion.

Its the end of a year, so aptly I'm thinking about goals and what I will resolve to do.  It's no easy task, but to say I'll complete my MBA seems like a given.  To add anything above and beyond this task may get me in trouble with my husband, who tends to think I'm already a bit maxed out (foreshadowing about husband's wisdom comment in next paragraph).  So I consider how to compliment this end goal, so that not only do I complete it, but I complete it well.  For some that automatically means finishing strong in a GPA, and to this point I've been dedicated, but I recognize an MBA is not all about the grades.

This weekend we went to Arkansas to visit my husband's family for the holidays.  (In case I have not mentioned it, I think my husband is just one of the wisest people out there).  On our way to drive up to Fayetteville for a Razorback basketball game, we talked with his younger sister.  Fresh out of college, she's just getting started in her adult life, and Matt and I took turns at trying to offer advice.  Mine reflected getting focused, perhaps giving her time to volunteer (and all the benefits of volunteering) and having a busy schedule to help her structure her time and drive her to focus on what she wants to accomplish. My husband, who is alot like his sister, focused more on her making her the best she can be right now.  He offered these three points. 1- Don't underestimate the value of sleep.  Your body needs it, and you really can only be ready for the tasks of the day when you've had a routine fair share. 2- Value exercise.  The endorphins your body gets puts you physically and mentally in a better position to face challenges and be the best person you can be. 3- Find a hobby. Something you can do to get away and just have that time to focus and enjoy something you love.

So I think I'll take a step back and try life from my husband's perspective.  I think I'll make these my complimentary goals, and place a stronger emphasis on a routine bedtime.  I'm not going to become Arnold Schwarzenegger, but I'll set a goal to exercise 3 times a week, and be ready to do the Diva Dash 5K in April and our National Park Hike to Glacier in the Fall.  And as for my hobby... I'm debating on strengthening my Spanish skills, building a raised garden or learning how to paint.  Spanish really could compliment my MBA, but takes brain power, and that's a limited resource as of right now.  Gardening takes dedicated time, which I'm also running short on, and I don't have any painting supplies or know how, and I don't really have the funds to make that happen while paying for school.  Perhaps  I'll just keep this as a carrot to reward myself once I'm done with my MBA, and attempt to start one of these before January 2013, which, if next year goes anything like this one... will be here in no time.

Monday, December 19, 2011

Finishing Four

This semester has come to a close, so I thought I would create a highlights reel.  This semester we had our first ever class blocking with two 15 week classes.  Prior to this there was always one class that was only 10 weeks paired with a 5 week class.  I will tell you, this makes the semesters feel longer.  This also doesn't mean they will take that 10 weeks worth of class and stretch it into 15 weeks.  This is certainly 15 weeks worth of material to cover.  The classes were Economics, Marketing and Competitive Strategy(EMCS) with Dr. Roy Steele and Managing Operations and Technology(MOT) with Dr. David Cameron.  The top theme of the semester was Strategy.  What I heard the most from my fellow students- this is the semester we felt we "earned" our MBA.  This is the first semester that the work matched our expectations of what we would have to put in to get our MBA.  Now that's not just a reflection of "out of class hours" spent.  The quality of those hours spent, were spent with a higher level of expertise demanded from us.  There have been many semesters in which I've spent 10-20 hours outside of class to complete homework, and if I am honest- that first semester really felt like busy work.  This semester was not busy work.  Prepare yourself future cohorts.  Here's what you get to look forward to-

Each class weekly assigns a chapter of reading to cover.  For EMCS, those chapters are easy 40-60 pages of reading, and I think MOT's were about the same, but this text was a bit dryer, with no pictures or handy summaries down the margins.  Then EMCS divided the teams to the professor's own liking (the University didn't convey we were already divided up, and when asked about it, he was told to continue in this direction if we wanted to).  What this meant was we were managing two groups.  One for a major project due at the end of the semester in EMCS, and the other for weekly assignments in MOT plus the group project.  Each class had a weekly Case Study on top of the projects and reading.  The case studies were handled a little differently in each class.  For EMCS this was a weekly Executive Summary.  For me these averaged a weekly 6-8 page paper.  For MOT these were handled within the groups.  So each group had to come together weekly to write a Case Summary identifying the Business Operations Issue and Salient Issue, Complications, Market Implications, Recommendations and more.  This was about an 8 page paper written weekly by the group.  In the last 5 weeks of class this become more about a presentation, and we gave a weekly slide show presentation over the case and our Group's Analysis. 

Of course, what is a semester without a semester long project due at the end? 

In MOT you are to identify a public company and find a Salient Issue, and each member has to write a section of the paper.  Which is graded individually throughout the semester.  Then a collaborative paper is written, and the last week of class this is turned into a presentation in front of the class.

In EMCS you work with your group to identify a company without a business plan or an outdated business plan.  By the end of the semester, you are to write a business plan for that company and present to the class.  The structure for this project changed a bit throughout the class, so ,by the end, 2 out of the 4 groups ended up presenting on established companies, which probably have a strong business plan and the other two worked with start-ups actually in the Austin area to give them some direction.  We were of the later groups, and this actually was more of a challenge, but I feel our group got more out of the project.

For our project, we worked with a company that will export and import from Morocco.  It has just recently been founded, and will likely take off January 2012.  We had dinner with the founders, and got to hear their ideas and direction.  Being that they are so new, we got to do a lot of market research and helped in building support for the direction of the product lines they will work within.  When it came down to the presentation, ours was much more rudimentary; however, I feel we actually went through the process of what it takes to get a business off the ground.  I felt that our work was important as it would actually be used by the business.  Its was like a mini-capstone, and I really enjoyed it. 

I encourage groups out there, when it comes to this project, take on the start-up.  You already know how to do research and build a presentation around it.  Challenge yourselves to really work with a company that will benefit from your efforts- even if it does make the project a little more "hairy".  As we all learned in our MBA Launch, life is messy, and I really feel like this project is a "safe haven" to try your hand at entrepreneurship and making some real world change for the business of your choosing.

Our cohort was really exhausted coming from semester 3, and semester 4 offers no rest for the weary... but the challenge makes you pull yourself up by your bootstraps, and get on with it.  Now- we find ourselves 2/3 of the way done.  Next semester is the last one with just classes.  The last semester sandwiches class with the capstone project.  Before we know it, August will be here, and this will end just as quickly as it launched.

This week, my core group will meet over dinner.  We'll celebrate our successes, and discuss what we hope to accomplish through our MBA's on a personal level over the next semester, and hopefully find strength in our team members to accomplish those goals.  I really love the Cohort format, and am glad we can have this sense of companionship, challenge and camaraderie within this learning experience.  Course, we have self named our team "Team Awesome", so I may be just a bit biased...
:)

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to All!

Wednesday, December 7, 2011

I never said I did it alone.

Since beginning the young professional development program for the Round Rock Chamber of Commerce, I have found a new value to the word 'Mentor'.  Now in my third year, I have developed relationships with three individuals who have brought such value into my life.  My first official mentor was Teri Hill.  An amazing coach, who does this full time.  I felt so blessed that she would just partner with me to help me become the young professional I should be.  She brought to me practical applications to deal with real issues.  There were times she would take out of her day, just to talk me through opportunities, or next steps.  I'm so very proud to have had Teri as my first mentor.  I tell ya- she's worth every penny!

My second mentor was Dr. Edna Rehbein.  She's the Director of the Texas State University campus in Round Rock.  As I began to understand more of what leadership looks like as a woman, she tutored me, and continues to provide excellent guidance and counsel.  Thanks to her, I have found valuable ways to give of my time, including my service on the Round Rock Chamber Board.  I'm learning so much still from the directions she has helped point me, and I am so thankful for the trailblazer she is.

I had lunch with my third mentor today.  A departure from the realm of females, Scott Alarcon is a dynamic leader, and his engaging mentorship is really challenging me to new levels.  Each time Scott and I meet we review the "homework" from our previous meeting.  Assignments have included a 3-5 year plan and measurable goals, reading The Complete Idiot's Guide to Robert's Rules of Order in preparation of my first Chamber Board experience, and more.  He's taught me the value of assertiveness, and our brains just operate in a systems and relational strategy. 

Being a first born, I've often had to just figure things out for myself, but having someone like these mentors really helps pave the way to know what to expect and the best roads to travel.  Pairing mentorship with my MBA is like the 1-2 punch.  I'm learning business strategy, learning how to manage operations and technology, but then there's this guide to help you know how to really use this material in the everyday world.  Given that I'm highly relational, take this with a grain of salt, but I really see mentorship as the catalyst to an MBA education.  You always hear- its all about "who you know"... But I find its really so much more than this.  In the cases of my three mentors, I feel I could call them up at anytime, if need be, but when you work in tandem to the success of one another- that's where the magic happens.

So for those wondering how to start this whole mentoring deal, this is my advice:
  1. Determine where you are, and where you need to go
  2. Find someone in your life that has that type of specialty (ie. my first year, I needed practical guidance, so I brought on a Life Coach, the second year, I faced my first issues with a glass ceiling, and so I sought a successful woman in a traditional men's business, this last year- well there's just something I identified in how purposeful my third mentor is, and I knew I needed his sharpening to become the person God's calling me to be)
  3. Approach your mentor by email with the idea, so they really have time to carefully consider the opportunity
  4. In your email- outline what you are looking for in a mentor, how often you would like to meet, and for what duration.  My current mentor and I meet generally once a month for about an hour and a half, and we are slated to maintain our current schedule through the finish of my MBA.
  5. State that the onus of scheduling the meetings will be your responsibility, if they will just make an effort to make it happen
  6. You can also let them know, that should they agree, you will provide them with greater details.  You kinda already need to let them know what your goal is, but when you follow up, you can provide info like top 3 strengths and weaknesses, and top areas you would like to develop.
Then, monthly, be a responsible mentee.  If they give you homework, do it.  If you implement a strategy they gave you, provide a success report to your mentor.  They are just as much in it with you, especially when you really allow them to be apart of the journey with you.

A word of caution- Your mentor does have a busy life, like all of us.  I would suggest keeping communication to the scheduling of your appointments and within your appointments.  There have been occasions that something of a game changer was coming into play for me, and then I would just email my mentor for their advice.  Keep these to a minimum as to not become a burden.

One of the things I most look forward to is my graduation, and how I will plan to incorporate my mentors into that special day.  A successful life is certainly not a fully independent life, but one that reflects the conjoined efforts of a small community.  To my husband, my mentors and my family I dedicate this final homestretch of my MBA.

Saturday, December 3, 2011

Christian Perfection

What does it really mean to strive for excellence? Perfection?

Yesterday morning I started off with breakfast with some newer friends.  This group I have been organizing is a collection of former award winners of the Profiles in Power Award, and its amazing to be in the presence of these ladies.  So strong and know right where they are going.  Each month I try to get a question to use for the group and we talked about a challenge we faced in 2011 and the things we learned from it.  It was so touching their feedback and support of one another.

Being around them for the morning might have made me a bit aware of the differences between myself and them.  There might be a slight age difference, and with that- experience, know how and self confidence.  By the end of my day I hadn't had my prayer or Bible study time, which centers me, and I was just a bit off.

I already focus largely on the reasons behind what I do, often even down to the little things.  I'm always striving to find greater efficiency, do what I'm doing with sound logic.  I aim for perfection of myself and sometimes that spills out on my sweet husband.  It's not enough that I have to "drive" myself onward to new goals, new performance- Perfection, but then I begin to critique him, and by the end of the night I just didn't feel right. 

As I got into a hot shower to prepare for today, a day full of study groups, I realized I had not spent time with the One who centers me.  (In our last leadership class, we discussed the idea of being centered as a leader).  I turned to one of my favorite books- Oswald Chamber's My Utmost for His Highest.  The title- Christian Perfection.

From the reading:
It is a snare to imagine that God wants to make us perfect specimens of what He can do; God's purpose is to make us one with himself.  The emphasis of holiness movements is apt to be that God is producing specimens of holiness to put in His museum.IF you go off on this idea of personal holiness, the dead-set of your life will not be for God, but for what you call the manifestation of God in your life.... The thing that tells for God is not your relevant consistency to an idea of what a saint should be, but your real vital relation to Jesus Christ, and your abandonment to Him...

Christian perfection is not, and never can be, human perfection.  Christian perfection is the perfection of a relationship to God which shows itself amid the irrelevancies of human life.  When you obey the call of Jesus Christ, the first thing that strikes you is the irrelevancy of the things you have to do, and the next thing that strikes you is the fact that other people seem to be living perfectly consistent lives,  Such lives are apt to leave you with the idea that God is unnecessary, by human effort and devotion we can reach the standard God wants.  In a fallen world, this can never be done.  I am called to live in perfect relation to God so that my life produces a longing after God in other lives, not admiration for myself.  Thoughts about myself may hinder my usefulness to God.  God is not after perfecting me to be a specimen in His showroom; He is getting me to the place where He can use me.  Let Him do what He likes.

End.

Wow- talk about speaking truth into ones life.  Because I wasn't centered for the day on God's purpose for me as a leader, I got just tangled up in what the world says is the successful track.  I was caught up in thinking about the career development of a CEO or business owner.  I was being strangulated in what "should be" in a spouse.  No to all these things.  If I am to be who God is calling me, then the next career step is no longer my vision.  I leave these things to God to pursue what is to be my Christian perfection... my leadership.  When in this Profiles in Power breakfast, my goal should be to love, to befriend.  In my marriage- it shouldn't be on this idea of a dynamic social duo... its about the beauty of extending grace.  The joy of forgiveness.

While I learn what I need to meet the requirements of what God may call me to in the future, it is important to remember to strive for this new kind of relational perfection today.