The topic of the week "In the real life..."

So is this year that we are spending in MBA real or rather surreal?

One could argue that since we are awake this should be a sign of reality. But what if you're sleepwalking from the amount of coursework?

My next favourite phrase: "I'm in another dimension right now, so I'm excused for what I might say or might not be able to say" Doesn't work with professors though.

Life at school became a little stressful these days. Coffee sales are going though the roof in Birkbeck basement and Nero cafe. I should be careful with double espressos. We are entering a four week marathon of exams and assignments 1. due 2. due 3. due very short deadlines. In the longing looks of classmates as well as in their statuses in Facebook you can see three main ideas: Christmas, home, sleep. For me it's also beach, sun and coconuts.

Though I will be very happy landing in cold and white Vilnius where I expect to dive into snow and drink hot red wine with my beloved friends. Beach postponed until the post MBA salary :)

Talking about salary - we had a very interesting week filled with presentations about magic post MBA opportunities in the land where it rains money 24/7.

A really great speaker Don Leslie visited our school and started drawing the most beautiful prospects of consultancy work: great, challenging, intelectually invigorating, rewarding etc etc etc - just the best thing MBA graduate can do.

Who are you? Insecure over-achiever or confident entrepreneur? In the first case McKinsey can become your second home, in the latter - Boston Consulting Group. And there during this inspiring presentation I start imagining myself working for McKinsey and picture looks so beautiful... and then - back to reality - Don Leslie starts telling about the usual week of consultant - including but not limited to 80 hours work a week and 5 days away from home. And when you climb up your career ladder - you work more and sleep less. Hmmm...

In the evening we are delighted to hear presentation on wonders of working in finance industry. Very interesting indeed. Want to be in the top? CFA, MBA, IAQ, ITIO, ICWM, know the right people, get into the club and something like that :)

Then I can recall words: cut throat, big bonuses, player, killer, being shouted at, kicked out, set for life, risk, hedge fund, money you can only dream about, no personal life etc etc etc...

Finance and consulting are the two areas where most MBA from top schools are looking forward to get to. If they go to NGO and do something for society rather than earn big bucks - school's rank falls - and that's like an earthquake for a business school - so some of them make sure their prospective students are money oriented before they are accepted.

Well - during the last few weeks I tend to turn to Confucius for some wisdom and inspiration - this surreal MBA life (versus real life before and after) is confusing. And my basic belief of life as an enjoyable proccess is constantly tested by orientation to final results without longer consideration what's in between. Which brings me back to memorable words of John Lenon's song words "Life's what's happens when you are busy making other plans..."

And then there came weekend when I met people who can cite my favourite phrases from "Greek Zorba". With invigorating conversations (thank you Omer ;)), happy and 'inspired by spirit beverages' classmates, good music in the club and a little head ache the next afternoon. Life is beautiful my friends!

And it is real whatever they say :)

November in London

It's one of these days today when I had time to stop and think what and why am I doing in London. Weather is miserable, it's raining and it gets dark at 4.00 but is not important at all.

Time flies in MBA. It seems I landed in London a week ago but almost three months have gone already.

This was a time full of new discoveries, new people, places, parks, bars, clubs, pubs, emotions, positive, negative, inspiring, disappointing, challenging and delightful. That's what I call living to the fullest. And I love it.

I tend to get too excited about things and people. I really like wearing pink glasses and imagine that everyone is full of good intentions and motivation. And then at one moment reality kicks in and I put my pink glasses away - until the next huge inspiration :)

That's the way I survive in this world - believing in good things, never ending optimism and inspirations.

I was always dreaming to meet like minded people and inspiring professors. And here I am - I found both. Now I know that I made a right decision coming here. It's amazing how many great things you can do with the right people. Even when it's really hard (like preparing for statistics exam... not that it's a greatest life challenge, but still...;) I enjoy every moment of this because people inspire.

And I know that after this one year journey no matter where I go and what I do - I will have this great circle of friends and colleagues all around the world and we can do great things together. I see future presidents, businessmen, responsible managers - and simply amazing people.

So yesterday me and other three guys came up with this crazy idea to find out who were those toastmakers - and we just walked into this traditional English pub, and in the second floor we found people giving public speeches.

Spontaneous and crazy idea that was, but I absolutely loved it. Those people were achievers. They conquered themselves and learned how to give inspiring speeches in public. I learned a lot. Just imagine the question that one of speakers asked at the beginning of his speech: "Have you ever regretted a thing that you've said to someone for the rest of your life?" Yes I do :)

And I was reminded of one very simple thing - spontaneous decisions open the world full of discoveries. And you never know whom you are going to meet. Getting out of your comfort zone (which I found here among my new friends) and meeting new interesting people makes life so much livelier and colorful.

And I love London for this - diversity, opportunities, challenges, pubs, people, culture, Thames.

Not so much for a humid weather :) But that is such a minor thing.

Until the next inspiration...