Plans...

I started off doing my MBA with a lot of gusto in July 2010(although I had enrolled in mid 2008 and could start the course early 2009, other things happened and this went on the back burner). I cleared all the papers until I hit a road block in the form of “Finance” of Stage II in Jan 2011. That was the first time in my life that I flunk an exam. Initially I was slightly shocked as I did not know how to react to failure in an exam!(I hadn’t prepared that well, but the shocking part was probably for luck running out, finally!) Eventually I somehow convinced myself that it was a good thing that happened to me – now that I know how it feels to flunk!  I tried teaching myself some basics in the subject before actually reading the text books. I downloaded some stuff from the net and was warming up. Somehow plans changed and I could not study as seriously as I had planned. As I was aware that I had not prepared, it messed with head and I did not attend the exams. There was probably a fear of failing, but I just acted aloof. Over the next couple of months I even stopped preparing. There were classes I could attend over weekends, but I made no effort. I stopped believing I could even pass this exam.

 My initial target was to complete my MBA before end of 2012. That seemed farfetched.

I had been running away from it for too long. Finally in Feb 2012, I thought of giving it another try. I tried studying and understanding what I could. When I got frustrated I watched back to back movies while trying to study over the weekends! I am not sure how, but I got a “C” and cleared the paper. Such a relief, I must say! If all goes well, I can still complete my MBA by end of 2012! Fingers crossed!

10 things before the next Olympics...

I read recently that it helps to put down plans and keep looking at them once in a while to motivate yourself, to think about them and do something about it. Let me try...

1. Attend the next Olympics in London. Was very motivated seeing 3 young Indians materialise this dream. London seems not that far and doable. Need to find out how to get the tickets for Olympics. Can it booked online, I wonder.
2. Get a book published - any kind of a book, a novel, a compilation of short stories. (If not anything at least a self help book or a cook book! - sigh) - doable.
3. Have at least a few country visas stamped on my passport - especially want to see a few places like Istanbul, Athens, Venice, Paris and some in India like Nainital, Guwahati, Jaipur, Ladhak. Planning needed, but doable.
4. Want to go alone to some far off place, for a vacation - just a crazy idea, but deep inside it is going to mean so much. I will be proving so many things - not to the world, but to myself.
5. Want to go bungee jumping. I am very scared of heights, thats why its going to be fun!
6. Get a masters degree. - very doable, so do it.
7. Be a good cook. I always feel, if I put a little effort I can be a good cook.(Reason : My mother and sister are excellent cooks - dont ask me what kind of reasoning is this.) I keep nodding when my mother gives me tips on cooking and sometimes she even asks me to tell her recipes of some dishes she has taught me(something on the lines of Viva) and finds them ok. But I know very few things and only simple ones. Rest all I have a theoretical knowledge and so need to push myself to practise more. - Again very doable, so why dont I do it!
8. Get my investments right. Whatever I have already done looks messy and not very smart moves moneywise. I want to learn how to invest in stocks and shares and make a lot of money! Sigh!
9. Run a full marathon(42kms) - the runs I have done so far can hardly be called marathons! Will need a hell lot of practise, but I love running and so should be doable.
10. Volunteer for things that make me feel good. I know I have a lot of energy and if not channelised will go waste.

Ah well, the list seems very doable. And the only person it depends on is - ME! What a realisation!