Early 2006, Exit FCMB…..
Sometimes you know what you need
to do, but you just can’t bring yourself to do it. It could be because of fear
of uncertainty, fear of what people around you would say or think or jut fear
in general. This was me by 2005 in FCMB. I would be so miserable on Sunday night
and wonder why and then it’ll come to me that it was because there was work on Monday.
I was what you would describe as young and restless, I wanted to do so many
things, but all I got to do was wake up, go to work, come back home and pass
out.
IT under the new leadership was
taking shape; I was doing my little bit to stay relevant, trying not to
complain about the work pressure and hours. If I ever thought of resigning, I
thought about the salary (Gold handcuffs!), the fact that I had somewhere to go
everyday (sitting at home can be depressing). The day came though, the last
straw that broke the camel’s back……
I was on weekend duty, Saturday and
Sunday. I did Saturday with no event, then came Sunday; at the time I had
recently been placed on antibiotics because I had typhoid, but in the banks
(naija style), you fall ill and you have one day at the most to see your doctor
and get your prescription drugs unless you were practically dying. As a result
of this unspoken rule, typhoid or not, I came in, looked around, not much going
on yet, so I dashed to Mr. Biggs to get something to eat and take my drugs. Alas!
I got back to meet an epistle waiting for me in my mailbox. The boss had sent
me a really nasty mail and copied my direct report, Mr. Anyanwu. I remember it
ending something like “This is your last warning”! Whaat! To say I was livid
doesn’t cut it. What kind of life was this! I made up my mind right there and
then that I was out. Call it pride, but I am Ondo and yes we don’t take
nonsense! I would rather eat sand.
Luckily, a younger cousin had told
me about Lagos Business School and I was interested. An MBA expands your mind
to say the least. Besides, I was tired and needed a career change, the MBA was
the only way I could think of. So that
day, I went to the site, filled the application form and started the process.
At this point I had no clue where the money was going to come from and I was
surrounded by nay sayers making comments like “What is the guarantee that you
would get a good job after the MBA” as if getting a job is the main reason to
go for an MBA *rolling eyes*. I also recently got married and was worried that
resigning would put my husband under a lot of pressure, but my husband was tired
of the crazy schedule on my behalf as well, lucky me.
Anyways, long story short, I got
admitted to the Full Time MBA programme to resume 2006! I was elated until I
let the nay sayers get to me again. I decided to defer, I was afraid. Thank God
for family, having great support compares to nothing. On my way home, we
stopped by at my parents, my husband and I, and I just mentioned to my mum that
I was deferring, she jumped off her bed and screamed at me (yea, my mum is a
drama queen J),
what! I rebuke every evil spirit! Sade it will never get easier, do you think
it’ll be better next year or the next, what about when children come? Do the
MBA now and put it behind you. That was the one best pieces of advice I ever
got from her. God bless Mothers!
It felt awesome when I walked into
my boss’ office to hand in my letter…….. Good bye FCMB!
Life Skills Learnt
Whatever you have to do, do NOW!
There will be no perfect time to do anything. Not that it is impossible; but I can’t
imagine having to do an MBA now with my two sons, all that energy!! Naah men.
2013…….09 June, 2013
Its Sunday, I spent my whole day
at home. I dressed the boys, got myself ready only to get to the car to find a
totally flat tyre. My Dad made us learn to change a tyre before driving any car
in his house, but today I couldn’t be bothered to even try after getting all
dressed up and not with the boys running riot while I tried to change it. No
no. Televangelists will do for today.
Another work week begins tomorrow.
Haven’t planned my week yet per say, but tomorrow I should visit the ccHUB
conclude my membership rights and access. I followed @LekeAlder on his
#JesusMBA this morning, good stuff. I
will borrow some of his points as my tips for today. He had about 40, but these
three hit home for me.
Entrepreneur Tips
A leader must be able to take good
decisions under pressure. This is a major test of leadership.
What is profitable in the now is
not always good for business in the long run.
At the end of the day, the future
of the organization, its fortune and culture will be determined by leadership
decisions.
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