What am I doing?

Well a few of you have called me out for not posting in a minute and I appreciate it.  
Since my last post I have been in Chicago and Dallas for work.  Tomorrow I'm headed to Indiana to attend recruiting events at Kelley.
In between there, I have been working and playing. 
The moral of this story is that it's hard to stay connected.

What I have learned over the last three weeks is that I don't have enough time to do all the things I want to do.
I am going to have to choose a few things in order to create balance in my life. 

Case in point,
I'm managing a band that is based out of Houston.  The band's name is The C.I.T.Y.  (Completely In Tune w/ Yourself).  They are a soul band.  I met them by chance in Houston when I was in between graduation and starting work.  I have fell in love with them and I believe that they will have a super successful career in the music industry because they are that good.  They have that it factor. 
Unfortunately, I am quickly coming to realize that the energy and time needed to be a good manager...hell a mediocre manager...I don't have since I have started my full time gig.  

So now the question:  Do I give up and stop being their manager?   I don't want to, but.....If I don't do better soon, I'm going to have to give this up for now.

And here we have the beginning of the great dilemma that plagues everyone who wants to pursue their dreams....I have to pay the bills and the job that pays the bills demands my time.  I have to take care of myself:  I have moved to a new city and I have to balance work and my personal life.  I can't survive just work work work and no play. But play takes time.  Time I should be using to manage the band's business.  SIGH. 

It all comes down to how will I best be happy spending my time. 
Now mind you, I'm also trying to figure out ways to generate capital so that I can buy the Clippers and move them to Las Vegas, buy a private jet, and be the richest person in the world. 
You think I'm playing cause that sounds ridiculous to you....but while you sleepin' I'm still working.

For those that asked about me...I love and appreciate you.
Stay tuned cause this is The FARE MBA Life!
Love,
FARE

It's just one of those days....I'm just reflecting.

SIGH....I do this a lot huh?  LOL 
Well that's just me...Big SIGH

I'm not sure what to think these days.  I never imagined my life would turn out the way it has.  The good and the bad.  I don't remember ever fantasizing in detail about my future as a child.  The only thing I ever thought about or talked about was me being the richest person in the world.  Yep, since I was six years old (and this is the age I remember telling my mother about this goal of mine) I wanted to be super rich, and the goal was to be the richest person in the world, live the high life all the while giving it all away, and then die with very little cash and assets. 

It's funny but my goal is still the same.  In over 25 years it hasn't changed, I'm just still figuring out the master plan. 

I'm reflecting on this not just because self reflection is good for us all, but because I'm looking at my life at the present moment and realizing that I haven't planned well.  For the most part, I have been taking what life hands me or shows me and I try to make the best out of it. 

Most people would look at my life and think that I have done well.   I look back and see all the time I lost being.....lost...for lack of a better word.   Lost in having a dream and not knowing how to make it come true.  Lost in the boxes others made for me.  Lost in the maze of trying to figure out who I am and what my purpose is in this life. 

The only thing I've found is the courage to get out of my comfort zones and not live in fear.   Other than that...with the current deck of  life cards I hold in my hand...I'm still...lost.

So as I finish packing in preparation for a week and a half of business travel, finish a power point deck revision, and a 2011 budget proposal for my project...I wonder what's next for me...in or out of my control.

I know it will be all mixed with good days and not so good days but I thank God for it all.
What are you grateful for today?

Have a great rest of your weekend and week.

Love,
FARE

Gaining BUY-IN....just the thought of getting proficient at this makes me tired!

Oh Lord, help me....that's what I keep saying to myself today.

My first meeting this morning left my brain swirling with trying to figure out all the connections but I just don't have the information to put the pieces of the puzzle together yet. 

If you are saying HUH from that last sentence, then you know exactly how I felt today...confused by a concept in Corporate America that still boggles my mind: BUY-IN! 

I'm sitting in this meeting with my boss, another co-worker under my boss, and a cross functional co-workers.  The cross function is double checking about gaining the Right amount of BUY-IN from the Right People in the company because apparently just because you have some people on board, if you don't have the right people on board you basically end up spending a bunch of money on a project that few if any people execute against.  Then (so I learned) you get your butt chewed when this lack of execution happens.

But from what I'm observing, watching my boss gain BUY-IN is like watching a spider spin a web.
It's a delicate arrangement of meetings and questions and saying things like, "Just so we're on the same page..."   Ahhhh it's tiring just thinking about it so...I will continue this conversation as I master the art of gaining BUY-IN.

Until then I'm recommending a book that was recommended to me by Dr. Jonlee Andrews (awesome marketing professor at Kelley!!!! check Dr. Andrews out at http://kelley.iu.edu/facultyglobal/FacultyProfile.cfm?ID=8798  )
The name of the book is First Among Equals: How To Manage A Group Of Professionals by Patrick J. McKenna and David H. Maister.  

I started reading this book in June and I didn't finish.  After today, it's moved back into the reading rotation (I am reading at least 3 books at a time.  When I get to a stopping point with one I will put it down for a few days and pick up where I left off of the other.  Eventually they all get read. LOL

Okay, I have a long day tomorrow.  Let's just say I have meetings outside the office tomorrow.

It's just another day of The FARE MBA Life.

Love,
FARE

I don't do work on Sunday??? Or was that just for this past Sunday?

Yes, I have a BlackBerry.
Yes, I can see every email sent to my work email address at any waking moment.
Yes, my company will pay my Sprint bill so that I can use my phone for work.
NO, that does not mean I will answer emails on Sunday.

You can send them but don't expect me to answer.   Not saying that my boss is expecting me to answer emails on Sunday...and I'm going to relish in the assumption that he was just getting organized for the week...there was nothing super urgent that was sent in his 3 email messages to me Sunday afternoon.  So...I think we are good.....

But, now I'm like..is this a test?  Do I answer?  Does he expect me to answer?  DANG IT (said as loud and with as much expression as bumping your big toe on the corner of a coffee table)!!!!  I really like you...and I really want to reply quickly to anything you ask...BUT!

I NEED TO SET BOUNDARIES!!!!! (this is me yelling on the inside)

So what did I do after the initial internal panic yesterday?.....I answered the emails when I woke up this morning and  got moving at 7:30AM.  LOL  Yea.... I think I'm slick...answering emails before I even arrive at the office. LOL

But really, have you ever panicked because you didn't know how to respond to your boss or what the expectation in a certain situation was set to be.  In my boss's mind, am I dinged because I don't make myself available on Sundays?   Well only time will really tell me the truth.  Right now I'm sticking to my guns...no work on Sunday.  Saturday...not a problem....No work on Sunday!!!
That's my rule and I'm sticking to it.....I hope. 

What's a rule that you have to keep your sanity and your life balanced between work time and personal time?  

Most people that know me know there is no passive to my aggression.  I don't teeter totter or pussyfoot around subjects...I shoot straight from the hip.  But with this situation I feel like by not saying anything and letting my actions speak for me...I'm being passive.  What do you think?  Is it passive not to outright tell your boss," Don't expect a response from me on Sunday's"?   
What are the repercussions of this?  I would hope that my boss would say...good for you Felicia, you are so smart for making boundaries, we should promote you to CEO as soon as possible LOL....okay okay okay...but seriously, how do I know what the expectation is if I don't ask?  The flip side of that is, what if the expectation is answer as soon as possible????...well I ain't doing that on Sunday.

SIGH...For a good boss you want to do back flips and cartwheels and other childhood acrobatics.  But for now, I'm going to keep my mouth shut, my head to the grindstone and not answer emails or do work on Sunday.

Just another day of The FARE MBA Life....

Love,
FARE

Did a baby Die?!?!? Then, no I'm not going to lose blood pressure points!

I've decided to live by the following philosophy:

If a person's life is NOT in danger...then I'm not getting upset about it.  Whatever it is.  This especially goes for situations at work.  

My first semester of B-School I was stressed the hell out.  I was in the Core, which for Indiana University is 16 weeks of academic hazing...b-school style, and I was interviewing for jobs on top of it.  Fortunately and Unfortunately,  Diversity Recruiting for most Fortune 500s starts with Consortium OP in June. (SIGH and YEA!!! all in the same breath).  So there I was, being reminded that I wasn't the sharpest knife in the business school kitchen (I definitely ain't the dullest either, just want to get that straight LOL), just stressed the hell out.  Week 7 I wanted to quit the whole thing..I thought I had made the biggest mistake of my life.  WHAT THE HELL!!!!  Now add some more curse words to that and a lot of tears..and well I was a real emotional wreck.    AHHHH but I learned some very important lessons over those 16 weeks inside and outside of the classroom. 
The most important lesson didn't come until after the core was over and I was worried about my grades....when I got my one grade for the 15 credit hours of the Core, and I did way better than I expected it hit me....
All those tears and worrying for WHAT!!!  Not a DAMN THING.....insert light bulb here!!!

Then I realized....I wasn't going to die even if my grades were bad and I was to be put on academic probation.
That is when I incorporated the "Did a baby die?" philosophy...so basically when you feel yourself getting upset or in any way emotional about a situation...just ask: Did a baby die or is a baby going to die?
If the answer is no, then stop worrying about it.   Calm down (if necessary have a drink or two, I suggest red wine), and then think about a plan to solve the issues at hand.  You are smart (You must be because you are reading my blog LOL), you can find the solution, even if you have to ask for help....you can figure out the resources you need to utilize to get to the bottom of whatever dilima may come up in life.  You will see the other side of today...it's called tomorrow!!!!  It's coming and this too shall pass!!!

I love you all!  I appreciate you reading what is essentially me being me.

Love,
FARE

Week 4...Gotta step up my game!!!

The thoughts in FARE's head as she leaves the meeting with her boss today:

I know I'm still shiny and new but I really have to step this up. 
I am so supported by my boss and management.  I'm on a high level project and I can't blow this.  You are set up for success it's yours to lose.   (Let's out BIG SIGH)
I should have come with more today to this meeting.    Even though my boss thinks I'm doing well, I feel like there is more I can bring to the table.   I'm trying to anticipate needs and next steps to execute against but I'm not getting it right so far.   This may be too much to expect but I expect it of my cell...hell I'm a future CEO!!!
You have got to be 2 or 3 steps ahead at least.  SIGH  Get it together Enuha...get it together.


That's what I was thinking today after my touch base.  I'm definitely my own worst critic.  This is the part of me that is Type A because I'm pseudo type A....real type A's are way more anal LOL

So what do you do the step up your game at work?  What do you do to exceed expectations?

For me, for now, it's trying to do actions without my boss telling me.  My goal is to meet with him and he's like, I totally like that you have done x,y,&z.  I'm totally with you on all those things.    Instead of, I want you to now do x,y, and z...and then I go do it, but if I was steps ahead...it would have been or I could at the very least tell him that I started on that and this is where I'm at with it.
But I admit, it's hard when you are still trying to learn the lay of the land and the businesses.  I wish I could learn everything in one day...but I can't......
My strategy for now is to move as fast as I can and do the very best I can along the way.
That's how I've gotten this far...I hope it's enough to keep me on the CEO track.  (and this is where I hear Jay-Z "respect my conglomerate")

Until tomorrow....it's still the FARE MBA Life.

Love,
FARE

The Procrastination Demon...What I learned today...but will it be a lessoned learned???

Yes, I procrastinate!!!  This is one of my personal demons.  A demon that has me convinced that my best work comes in the Midnight hour.  And although I logically know that this not true...I have anchored my mind in the times where I made an A+  after pulling all nighters to get a deliverable (such an MBA term...basically homework LOL) done.   Ahhhh the beast has mastered me (inside joke for ZPB O'Theta Fall '99 line)!!!

Now the problem with this procrastination demon is that it starts to infiltrate out of the realm of work and into your personal life.  Example...I'm not going to name any names (don't you hear SM saying"Let's name names" another inside joke)  I digress....

but said person moved to MN from TX and needed to get her auto insurance changed.  She decided that she wasn't going to pay the last month on her old policy to save money cause she was kinda strapped for cash with  the whole not starting work until July thing...so

She kinda forgot about the whole insurance thing until she realized that she was renting a car during an upcoming trip to TX and she needed to make sure she had insurance....HELLO ding bat it is now August....SIGH  FML  LOL...the little procrastination monster done reared it's ugly head again.  

Luckily....because she is resourceful...she's able to finagle a pretty good rate for a new auto policy with the old insurance company that had terminated her insurance due to lack of payment.   But these stories don't usually have a happy ending.   Moral of this story...Get Yo Ish Together!!!!   

Seriously, we all have some thing that we need to be more organized about.  MBA or no MBA...until you can afford a personal assistant you have to take control in all of life's responsibilities, big and small.  Over time, procrastinating and not getting things done will cost you money.   Today I was quoted auto insurance rates of over 1,000 for six months. Ridiculous!!!  I'm paying less than half of that now.

So today I learned:
Procrastination will cost me lots of money and time in the long run and I need to get it together.  The time I spent doing that today could have been used more productively and to advance a personal agenda item I really care about.

So please...don't be like me....if you know there is something you need to take car of...like starting your savings account, getting a 401k, making sure you are properly insured.....  those things that are easy to ignore today but can come back and bite you in the butt later...stop procrastinating and get it together.

Love,
FARE

My Vision: Paying It Forward...I Need Your Help

LJ- I am in the process of composing the post I said I would post today...Your question was so rich...I want it to be a complete and full answer.  So stay tuned...LJ asked:

I want to get your opinion on how you chart out your career planning (short term, let's say 18 months or so and long term - 3 to 5 years). Also, how do you set your salary goals and talk to your boss about it?

I will not only go into my structure on this but also the tricks I plan to employ to ask for money along the way.  I just hope my employer doesn't read the post 18 months from now LOL.....

This post will come this week.  For now, I want to talk about Paying It Forward!!!

Today I was so blessed to spend my day with two of my first years...okay They are technically no longer first year MBA's.  Their summer internships here in the twin cities are quickly coming to a close and they are in the process of wrapping up their offers.    I'm so proud of all my first years, regardless of if they get offers or not, they have learned a lot and will use that knowledge to get closer to what future job will make them happiest.  Great Job Class of 2011!!!

One of the best attributes of Kelley School of Business is the culture.  There is a je ne sais quoi factor that is really hard to explain, but one of the characteristics of this unexplainable culture is the spirit of giving that is fostered by the school as a whole.  This is what touched my heart when I visited Kelley in the fall of 2007 when I was trying to decide where I belonged in this MBA journey.  I knew after my weekend visit that I didn't want to go anywhere else. 

Now I do everything in my power to help people who want to go on this MBA journey because I had lots of help along the way.  The least I can do is spend time answering people's questions and giving them the tips and not well know facts of the MBA admissions process, especially when applying through The Consortium (http://www.cgsm.org/).   On the flip side I get great joy seeing the successes of the people I have basically just told my MBA story to.  I don't sugar coat it, I tell it how it is, and I help people weigh all their options.  The end goal is for them to end up in the place that they are happy and set up for success.   So I feel like I have paid it forward.  All I ever ask in return is for that person to share the knowledge and time with the next prospective student or the incoming class. 

Although I know I do as much as I can...I can't help feel that there is more to be done.   I am a Consortium Fellow and I strongly believe in the need for more underrepresented minorities climbing the corporate ladders.  One of the barriers underrepresented minorities have when looking at going back to school for their MBA is money.  Yes, I know this is a barrier for most people but for underrepresented minorities, it seems to paralyze us in the process of applying and accepting admission into MBA programs. 

My vision is to start a living stipend fund that would be funded by alums.   The idea is that if you are a Consortium Member(regardless of whether you recieved a fellowship or not), then you would be eligible for a living stipend.  In return, you would have to commit to giving back to the living stipend fund years 3-5 after you graduate.  This will allow you to get your finances in order and pay it forward by helping someone who was once in your shoes.  You should have less student loan commitment and should be able to pay into the fund.   

This is a dream I have but I'm not sure how to execute to make it a reality.  It sounds good in theory but without buy in...it won't work.    If anyone out there has any suggestions please email me feliciaannrose@gmail.com  I greatly appreciate any feedback.   I also think this would work for Forte as well.