MBA : What did I believe and what do I know now

 

“I have been asked many a times - Why MBA?

I never knew the right answer to this. But the most honest one would have been – “Because Sir, I am not good enough at anything and I don’t exactly know what I want to do with my life"

Or it could have been -

“Because Sir, Money might be seriously depreciating but I still appreciate its power and an MBA degree is supposed to be safer than dealing in stock markets"

Many may disagree. But then let’s agree to disagree. And by the way I am still working on a politically correct and non-clichéd answer to this.

The point is that now I am here! Yes I have made it to an above average B School and it’s been a hell of a journey.

I had heard about the term “Rat race” in my adolescence. Quite amusing it was .Then suddenly one day it transformed into the CAT race. I unwittingly participated and have been running ever since then. It’s not like my life was like a bed of roses before that and now it’s a house on fire. No I am not saying that. It is just that things would never be the same; I would never be the same. The race just doesn't end with clearing an entrance exam and getting into a coveted Management class or as they say - the ‘B school ‘.In fact as commonly quoted - It’s just the beginning!

I will not talk about how I got here, how much I fought and wish that I had done better. I would also not talk about the hectic and overloaded or rather over hyped B school schedules, the awesome and at times sadistic faculties or the relentless management. I will not talk about specific people and instances because I certainly don’t want any controversies and personal troubles here .I cannot talk about the ROIs and placements and what I would be or what I cannot be after 5 years as I am not sure about it myself. I would certainly not talk about Finance, marketing, Operations and Systems and HR; not in the academic purview at least.

What I will talk about is what I believed before and what I know now .The logic and repercussions of that are not going to be discussed. I might amuse you or shock you at the same time, but then everyone has the “Right to have an opinion”.

And FYI I am not a cynic, I am just good at analysing things critically!

 

So here I begin...

I believed that I was lazy, laid back and can’t do anything on time but now I know it for sure!

I believed that it’s comforting to say “Thank God it’s Friday" but now I know that there is not always a “Thank God" part.

I believed that Honesty is the best policy but now I know that it’s not even on the list of many.

I believed that relationships are made in Heaven but now I know that they are man-made, artificial and can change with subsequent terms or even assignments.

I believed that Finance was the toughest subject but now I know that ‘Marketing yourself ‘is the most challenging part.

I believed that Postgraduates are grown up people but now I know that no one ever grows up. We just learn to behave in public.

I believed that there is always a right and wrong in every decision you make and every step you take but now I know “that it almost always depends”.

I believed that Smoking, Rolling and boozing kills but now I know that they are actually motivation supplements.

I believed that I will have a secure future but now I know that we all have a thousand insecurities.

I believed that “Small minds discuss people average minds discuss events while great minds discuss ideas” but now I know that people are discussed by all minds alike.

I believed that you ought to have relevant skills to get into a B School but now I know that everybody has their own unique talents, Management not always one of them.

I believed that my job was mundane but now I know that the story is same everywhere after a point of time.

I believed that women, sex and sports are the most discussed topics amongst young men but now I know that placements and packages are way up on the top.

I believed that stupidity has no limits but now I know it for a fact.

I believed that exams are scary and challenging but now I know that they can be frivolous and fun.

I believed that first impressions are NOT the last impressions and now I know how correct I was.

I believed that money cannot buy everything but now I know that everything and everyone has a price.

I believed that Tintin and Garfield were a funny read but now I know that our resumes are the funniest!

I believed that it’s the place that matters but now I know that it’s always about the people.

I believed that love is an eternal emotion but now I know that Lust is the eternal one. Love is just a brilliant excuse.

I believed that there are always two versions of a story the real one and the false one but now I know that there are always three – My version, your version and the real version.

I believed that failures are stepping stones and everyone makes mistakes but now I know that Winning is everything. No one remembers the one who came second.

I believed that "Knowledge is power" but now I know that "Copy, edit and paste" are superpowers.

I believed that “Need is the mother of all inventions “but now I know that “Assumption is the mother of all fuck ups ".

I believed that “One who walks alone walks the farthest” but now I know that being alone and to be left alone are two very different things.

I believed that majority always rules but now I know that had I always agreed with the majority we both would have been grossly wrong.

I believed that hedonism is the new religion but now I know that sadism is not very far behind.

I believed that B School friendships don’t last but now I know that nothing unites like common tragedies, a night of blabber and distaste and lust for same people, and bonds such forged last forever.

I believed that it’s possible to keep everyone happy but now I know that even Sachin Tendulkar is hated by many.

I believed that I wanted fame, money and power but now I know that all I ever wanted was love and peace.

I believed that I have achieved something and felt proud but now I know that I have miles to go before I sleep.

I believed that life was not fair to me but now I know that concept of relativity applies everywhere.

I believed that once over this life will be gone for the good but now I know that I will wish to come back here every time you please!

 

Regards

An optimist but realist management student!