Preparing To Go Back To School

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Preparing To Go Back To School

Creating A Mind-Set For Success

How does one prepare to go back to school? I received my B.S. in HR Management almost 8 years ago. Now, I have a family with three children under three and run a successful freelance writing and consulting business from my home.

Fortunately, Andrew Jackson University accepted me into the MBA program in Entrepreneurship. The Brian Tracy College of Business and Entrepreneurshipis truly amazing.

But really, how does one prepare for school after spending so much time away? The key is creating a mind-set for success. If you want to succeed, you have to start thinking like a winning entrepreneur. Far too many people feel bogged down by the day-to-day. Think about it.

If you have a family, you probably worry about managing your children’s schedules, your work schedule and your house schedule. Your daily “to-do” list may include many ingredients. Here’s mine:

Wake up EARLY.
Check my emails before the kids get up.
Squeeze in an article if I can.
Start breakfast for the kids.
Get the kids up and ready for part-time care (on weekdays).
Feed everyone and take to school.
Come home and start working (which may include writing several articles, editing, working on a book, starting a newsletter, posting to my sites and querying publishers).
Take a break. Grab something to eat.
Pick up the kids.
Go to park, playground, come home… play.
Cook dinner. Try to clean up.
Feed everyone.
Bathe everyone if needed, read stories.
Put the kids down.
Work some more. Check some more e-mail.
Tidy.
Go to bed.

WHAT a to do list huh? That only includes a fraction of everything I ACTUALLY do during the day. Now, somewhere in there I have to fit in studying. Likely that will come in after feeding everyone. Fortunately my husband is a great partner. While he is away for 50 or more hours at a time working some days, when he is home he often helps.

He can for example, cook dinner. Allowing me free time to catch up. Rest. Whatever. The thing is, I don’t look at this list and feel bogged down by it. Instead I concentrate on creating a “mind-set” that allows me to succeed. No matter what I do.

Instead of figuring out how I am going to do it all, I jump right in. I spend some time each night right before bed, visualizing my success. I imagine completing my first course, finishing my book, raising my kids well… even cleaning my house (though this usually comes in as a last priority).

What you have to do is think about your success to make it happen.

How To Transform Negative Thoughts Into Positive Ones

The first class I am taking at AJU is BA 538. Business Growth Strategies. One of the subjects we’ll focus on I’m sure is helping my business succeed. Did you know that up to 50% of first time businesses have the potential to fail?

Why does this happen? AJU has a neat quiz you can take to help better understand this. Here is a tip though. Many business owners fail to realize their own potential for success. They cloud their thoughts in negativity.

No matter who you are or where you come from, you have to adopt a positive frame of mind. You have to want to succeed to outperform your peers. Whether you are applying for your Associates Degree, B.S. or MBA… you have to believe you will achieve all your goals.

Everyone has obstacles. Single parents have obstacles. People that have to work while going to school may face many obstacles. Those without finances have challenges they will face. The key to your success however, includes transforming your obstacles into opportunities. When I was studying for my B.S., I held three jobs at one point. I worked full-time to help pay my way because I didn’t have any other choice. I didn’t have any family in town at the time I could rely on.

Now I have new obstacles. I am pursuing an advanced degree while working on my business, a book, and while raising my three children (under three!). My husband is gone for more than a day at a time. I don’t have any close family in town to help with the kids, so I have to find other ways to make sure I get some time to work during the day. Somehow, amid all this we have to pay our bills and keep on living. Sleep, eat and breathe. These are all-important ideas.

I have to make sure my children get the personal attention they deserve and need, but also ensure I don’t run my own body down while acting like “superwoman.” The truth is, I am not superwoman any more than any other woman. I come from a family that had few resources. My dad painted houses for a living and my mom worked as a cashier at a grocery store for many years. But we never lacked for good company or entertainment. Sure there were times when all of us struggled. But look where that got me. Today I have a fierce determination and spirit that is unbeatable, and my own business.

How do I do it? How am I preparing for what is ahead? The most important step I am taking is remaining positive. I am also planning. I have a calendar in my office with important dates, like dates when my assignments are due. I highlight the dates when my classes start. I highlight the dates my husband is out of town for days at a time. Days when important work projects are due… yes, they are highlighted.

I imagine my success. I don’t allow myself to feel bogged down in the negativity. Instead, I focus on all that is positive. I like opportunity, and recognize it when it comes my way.

I consider completing my MBA through Brian Tracy’s school an opportunity. And each step of the way I picture my success. I imagine just how valuable my degree will be for my business and my ability to teach others to become successful writers.