I recently finished reading rocker Patti Smith’s poignant memoir, Just Kids. As I turned the last page, I realized that I didn’t want it to end. Her story was not only about her romance and friendship with famed photographer Robert Mapplethorpe but also a primer in making your dreams come true. Patti’s tumultuous journey took her to NYC in pursuit of creating art and eventually took root via music and spoken word. She survived bouts of poverty and homelessness and became a rock star and poet who was eventually inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, crowned the Godmother of Punk Rock and won the National Book Award in 2010. Patti always knew she would be famous yet her career surpassed her wildest dreams.
What’s your dream — admission to a top business school? You may not have time to pick up Patti’s book (although I highly recommend it), so I’m sharing what I’ve learned from her. These tips will come in handy as you begin your MBA admissions journey.
- Purpose: Patti’s journey was not an easy one. She didn’t find instant fame via reality television or YouTube. They didn’t exist! She toiled for years before anyone knew her name. In her early years there was no proof that she was an artist yet she was driven to create. After a long work day, Patti didn’t sit on the sofa and zone out in front of the tv, she pulled out her materials and worked on her art.
What is your purpose and how will you change the world? Not the one you tell your parents and friends to impress them. Your REAL one! And why do you need an MBA to do it?
- Commitment: On many days Patti wondered if she had talent. She did know she was committed and tried her hand at several forms of creative expression.
Do you have an unwavering belief in yourself and what you’re here to do? Are you committed to spending months (not a weekend) on the MBA admissions process?
- Courage: It would have been easy for Patti to quit but something inside of her stirred and ultimately raged. Others who were following her path were not so lucky. Some returned home, other succumbed to the temptations of the streets while the rest simply faded to black.
Do you have to the courage to ignore the naysayers, often family and friends, who think an MBA is a waste of time and money?
The pursuit of an MBA doesn’t amount to a handful of essays that are dashed off over a weekend. If you are still learning about the process, hang out as we will delve deeper each week to prepare you to become a strong MBA candidate.
