Hectic

A few years ago, I went to see a doctor for a job medical. The doctor asked me the nature of my current job which I described. After my description of the job, the doctor figured it was fast paced. The job I was being employed into was also fast paced, perhaps even more so than the one I was just leaving. The doctor, sensing these, asked me, “how often do you get stressed?” I was confused at the question, I had never been asked if I was ever stressed. Besides, I was an analyst, who cares if I am stressed? Analysts were supposed to be a dumping ground for work.

Noticing my hesitation at the question, the doctor rephrased, “do you ever get stressed at work?” Well, my hesitation had nothing to do with the question or how it was phrased, just that I was not expecting it. Eventually, I responded, “I do not get stressed. Sometimes I may feel overwhelmed or tired, but never stressed.” The doctor incredulously repeated my response. Something about what I had said must have been strange.

I heard someone use the word ‘hectic’ today. It was at a semi-monthly meeting of the Toastmasters’ club, a student led association at the Lagos Business School that I am a member of. It got me thinking about that day at the doctor’s office and it occurred to me, “that is it.” That is the best one word description of the schedule at Lagos Business School’s Executive Master of Business Administration (“Executive MBA”).

To be sure, I still work do the job that is “overwhelming” and I still get “tired”. But now, I have included to this the hectic schedule of Lagos Business School’s Executive MBA. One thing I have never heard is that it is not the classes that is the most hectic part of the programme, it is the assignments. The days go through too quickly and before you realize, you are scrambling to complete the materials and get the assignments done. And given the need to mostly work in groups, most assignments are done together, at night. And so it happens that after being overwhelmed and tired at work, you have to commence the hectic work at school. With the Lagos Business School’s Executive MBA programme, hectic starts where overwhelming and tired ends. So how does one cope? How can one make the best of both, work and an executive education?

“Time management is the key. Although it seems hectic, as long as you manage your time properly you can get everything done”, was the response from John Cena, a professional American wrestler, when asked a similar question. “There are moments in life where it gets so hectic that time becomes blur. Keep calm and never give up”, he concluded.

But I will not have it any other way. I am planting the oak, building the shade, making an investment. The objective is clear, the price is known. And the payoff? Well, the payoff is immeasurable!