Work. Study. Sleep. Repeat.

What you really learn from going back to school while working

Instead of taking all of these one-off courses, why don’t I just get an MBA?

The words burst from my mouth like soda from a shaken bottle. My mind screamed ‘are you crazy?’ while my boss smiled smugly. I could almost hear him thinking, ‘Why not say yes? She won’t actually do it.’

It sounded insane. I was already carrying more than my share of the work, and we were about to lose another colleague. For some reason it still felt right. Maybe my guardian angel would help me survive. That year, I not only started an executive MBA program, I also convinced my company to pay for it.

The two years that followed taught me about business, leadership, and most importantly, myself. How much I could manage and do well. And life lessons that still shape my days, years later.

Time management is the only skill that matters

Want to learn what busy means? Try going to school while working full time. If you can’t learn to make the most of each minute you will not survive. Use whatever time management tool you prefer, but use one. My brain would have fried without this one.

Apply the same tool to your home life. You might find new time in your day. I found it easier and faster to outsource my yard work and my housekeeping. I skipped the dry cleaner stop and started throwing my suits in the wash (Try the gentle cycle. It works just fine). And I finally told my nosy neighbor to stop dropping by unexpectedly.

Out of necessity, I also learned to let go at work. I no longer had the time or energy to hover over my colleagues, watching every detail. I had to start trusting them to do their own work.

I had a wonderful assistant, and in desperation I began asking her to take on some of my less complicated tasks. She loved developing new skills, and I loved handing them to her and spending my time on more strategic tasks. We were a great team.

Focus, focus, focus

“I am a great multitasker. That’s how I get so much done.” Have you ever said those words? Well I am here to tell you, it’s BS. Trying to clear your inbox at work while reading a business school case is a fast track to failure.

I started the program using my normal routines for handling piles of work. I read business cases during work meetings, cleared my inbox while on the phone with my study group. About a month into it, I understood why they call it the myth of multitasking. Constantly chasing squirrels, I was failing to catch the deer.

Multitasking just didn’t work; I needed to focus. I decided to recapture the joy of learning, rather than the hamster wheel of ticking off tasks. At the office, I worked, steadily and intently. No school work, but 110% attention to the task at hand. I didn’t have time to do anything twice, so I did it right the first time.

Away from the office, I was just as strict. I set a schedule for learning with specific goals for each session. I turned off phones and emails, creating a comfortable place, distraction free setting at home. Soon I was falling into my learning zone almost every night, emerging at bedtime feeling excited about my knew knowledge.

The only time I broke down the wall separating work and school was for school assignments that applied directly to an office project. Thanks to these ‘double-dippers’ I had private feedback on my work before my manager ever saw it. I was even more effective at work, which helped me along the career path as much as the degree itself did.

Get Real

While you are in school, don’t expect to have much, if any, free time. Set realistic expectations for yourself at work and in your personal life. Exercise your ‘No’ muscle. You will not be slacking off. You’ll be keeping your head above water.

If you are married or partnered, be very, very clear about what’s coming. Attend your program’s family orientation session, or ask the admissions office to connect you with a recent alum or current student whose partner will share their experiences. None of my classmates divorced, but it was a near thing for a few.

Adult Education is a Team Sport

The best study groups are like Olympic relay teams. Only by making the most of each member’s talents can you cross the finish line. Whether working through a course or a project, learn to lean on your team members and be leaned on in turn.

There is simply too much work to do it all on your own. Collaboration is essential in most jobs, and it’s critical for adult learning too. This enforced mutual dependence enhances communication, accountability and empathy. Make the most of the opportunity and build these skills.

My group was a mix of 2 financial experts, one engineer, one creative, and me, the scientist and wordsmith extraordinaire. We debated the readings, solved problems from different angles, taught and learned together. Ultimately we produced solid, if not always stellar, results. Fortunately, we agreed up front that learning the material was more important than the grade. It didn’t matter if our team staggered across the finish line streaming with sweat, as long as every one of us finished on our feet.

Ultimately I became a better team player and team leader in the office. I listened more than I spoke, asked better questions, and focused on the answers. As I grew into a senior leader, I continued to find experts to advise me in areas I didn’t understand.

Look after yourself

Caring for yourself is four times as important when you’re twice as busy. Do something nice for yourself every day: a long bath, a walk outside, 10 minutes of meditation. If you don’t, you may find yourself on the fast track to the land of burnout.

Rest, nutrition and movement are critical when you are under stress. Guard your sleep time. Take walking meetings. Eat tasty, fresh food; weekly pizza parties are tempting but they won’t fuel you with all the vitamins and minerals you need for the long hours of intense thinking.

My study group took a few hours off each month to reconnect with our friends and families. We never spoke about school over breakfast. While you’re immersed in your program, the world is still spinning. Keep up with the essential parts.

The big payoff

Was it worth it? I sacrificed two years of my life in my thirties, prime social and career time, for a piece of sheepskin. I don’t regret a day of it. My classmates and I still debate and dissect our companies and our careers. We give advice and opportunities, cheer accomplishments and commiserate over setbacks.

My MBA took me to jobs and places I had never expected and didn’t know that I would want. It stretched me, strengthened me, and turned me into a real leader. If you’re considering earing your first, second, or even third degree while holding down a full-time job and adulting in your personal life, I encourage you to do it. Yes, it’s difficult. It might even be the hardest thing you ever do. It could also be the best.

Thanks for reading! If you liked this, you might also enjoy these: