I wasn’t enthusiastic about attending my own graduation.
Attending felt rather unnecessary. But it wasn’t until I put on my gown and sat in the theatre, watching fellow graduates and officials fill the auditorium, that the significance of the moment hit me. I hadn’t expected to feel it that strongly.
From the Dean’s opening the ceremony to hearing my name called and receiving my certificate, the whole process was genuinely moving.
Completing an MBA had been a dream of mine for years, but I didn’t believe I could do it.
For years, I told myself: it’s too expensive, I can’t afford the time off (even though it was part-time), and it’s probably too late for me anyway. So I put it off. But the desire wouldn’t leave me.
I decided to apply to Essex University, but what I hadn’t fully considered was the financial impact, and just how much better I’d need to manage my time.
This required me to draft emails before my 10am lectures, or on the train. Lunch breaks turned into client calls; each module demanded four days on campus every couple of months.
At one point, I put the course on hold because of a project I was working on, and it would have been easy to keep working and not return, but deep down, I knew if I didn’t finish, I’d regret it, so I asked to condense several modules into one year, also to take the financial hit that came with it.
Some modules really challenged me. Data Analytics was one of them, and as that module approached, I was anxious, but much to my surprise, I really enjoyed it and learned about the value of having a Data Analytics strategy.
The lowest point came while writing my dissertation on business model innovation. I felt stuck and disillusioned, and after a particular meeting with my supervisor left me more despondent, I seriously considered giving up and asked myself what will I say to my family and friends? What will they think of me especially as I believed they all had confidence in me.
It was at that moment that I remembered a quote attributed to Tom Brady: “I didn’t come this far to only come this far.” That became my daily affirmation.
Through it all, my wife’s support was invaluable. On graduation day, she and my sister were there to celebrate with me. The weather couldn’t have been more perfect, though it wasn’t only the sunshine that made the day memorable.
The MBA has changed how I consult in ways I hadn’t anticipated. In my first lecture, I realised how much I’d been operating in a cocoon, disconnected from what was happening in the wider industry.
Drafting my first assignments, I was thoroughly confused, unsure if I was even answering the question correctly. Now I look for supporting evidence before doing anything.
A client recently came to me concerned about their loss of direction and team dysfunction. A few years ago, I’d probably have jumped straight to a recommendation. Now, I asked more questions and analysed the situation much more clinically. That habit of being more evidence-based is something the MBA gave me.
Receiving the certificate wasn’t about the qualification. It was proof I’d finally done it, and it felt good.
Until we meet.
Morton
