World Sojourner : 3760

My yearly working PTO week is now here.  I didn’t intend to always take a vacation every August to decide my future steps and catch-up on personal projects but for the last two years that has been the case.

This year’s list looks a lot like last year’s list.  This is a problem that must be addressed.

A now former work colleague and I went to a local Target store a few weeks ago and bought a large stuffed elephant for our work space. Now, rather than us all needing to imagine the elephant in the room for our current work, we can all just look over to him and know, he knows. The all knowing; all seeing; quiet yet consistently there – elephant. In the room.

We all have our own elephants who quietly ride with us – everywhere. In fact, mine is so prominent I may start buying him a plane ticket.

Yesterday marked a pivotal day for me and Els (now the name of my traveling partner). Since 99.9% of those of you reading this know me (thanks Facebook for keeping my readership at 10 people rather than me for proofing and Mrs. M); you know that I’m on the final approach for my current plane ride. The final landing date hasn’t been finalized or has slipped in date a couple times but it is out there.  The all knowing, always there – elephant.

Yesterday, however those timings became firmer. Turns out rather than just seeing another passenger leave the plane; I was informed that we’re getting a new captain. The reason the dates were slipping a touch is that I actually liked the current captain. The plane flies straight and it’s predictable.  These qualities have made for a pleasant journey.

A new captain changes everything for me. Consulting with Els I realized that maybe I should start looking for a parachute and … then it occurred to me … WTF – why did my dates slip anyway? Diving more into the WTF question, I realized that if I was ready to jump out of the plane just because of a new captain then why not jump right now? Or soon?

After finding out about a possible new captain, I’d revised all my criteria for exiting the plane. Does this mean my criteria aren’t really valid? The more I think about it, the more I think they are more of an excuse for not taking the risk rather than a real hurdle.

Mrs. M, Els and I need to talk through some things this weekend after I spend some quality time with Excel.  But, my thoughts have changed.  The Elephant is shouting and it’s time to do something.

You know, it is Independence Day weekend. I may have to get Els a little Stars and Stripes flag to celebrate.

Dear Apple,

Mrs M and I really want to buy the new Apple 4G telephone and experience all it’s video, clever app goodness but are terrified of the following:

• In a word – AT & T
• The fact that AT&T has somehow convinced you that it’s okay to pull the unlimited data option due the fact that their entire system is capable of handling 2003 levels of load.  Not good.
• Your totalitarian approach to apps including Google Voice.  Two times the customer has gotten hosed due to bowing to the wishes of AT&T.  What’s up?  Do they have pictures of Steve using a Dell with Windows 7?
• The day after we get the little bundle of goodness you do something else in the name of AT&T customer experience that lessens our user experience.

I can only equate this to younger days and yearning for someone who looks great but has so many underlying issues that it’s probably not worth the effort.

al

I seem to be having a lot of conversations about ‘getting an MBA’ with various friends.  My conversations normally consist of the following themes:

1. Take the GMAT – it’s all fluff until that’s taken care of
2. Pick a school that is respected
3. Pick the school that is the best fit for personality
4. Don’t sleep during it

The benefits part of the conversation is pretty standard as well.  I was able to change industries and jobs, great experience, loved the travel, yes London was great; hard to believe I got to sit beside some of the most remarkable people on the planet (my fellow 2007s and those who attended the school during my time there).

I’m in the process of realizing that the value of the MBA extends past the obvious learning about business and helping me become a better thinker.  The value also lies in the wealth of resources at your finger tips three years later.  I’m doing some work right now that requires diving into some of my second year classes to find models, good approaches and ideas.

And, it’s all here.  The notes, the templates and approaches.  In fact, I’ve gotten more out of some of the course designs right now then I did during the class.  Good stuff.