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Moment of Truth The decision to return to school while juggling family and work responsibilities is a complex and frequently ambiguous one. I know – I've made it several times. Each time I toyed repeatedly with the idea of returning, only to push the thought into the back of my mind, overwhelmed by the enormity of such a commitment. Even once the decision is made, it isn't easy to know what path to follow – which field of study will provide the proper credentials, which program is most suitable, which courses are needed and in what sequence. In my case, despite the fact that I readily offered reasons for my decision to anyone who asked, what I really wanted to achieve was not completely clear to me. Once I took the time to reflect on the circumstances leading to my decision, however, I began to see clearly where I was headed. Only then could I determine how best to get there. Here's the technique that helped me clarify my goals. Perhaps you can use it, too. Think back to the moment when you knew you were going to go back to school. Then write down your spontaneous thoughts about that moment. To help focus your thoughts, you might try writing an imaginary letter to a friend or to your mother explaining why you're returning to school. You could be surprised at what your writing reveals. As an example, I offer an excerpt from my own reflection. "It was a hot summer day. I was working from home, and had just finished a phone conversation with a colleague in my office. More problems, more politics, more ego clashes – that was the crux of the conversation. And then the last straw: I'd just been told the company was in a cash-flow crisis. Could I work on half salary for a few months? How could I continue to work under deteriorating circumstances that would also keep me from work I would prefer to do?" That was the moment when I decided to go back to school. I now realize that my motive was not just what I told my friends and family ("to protect my career") or my colleagues ("to make a more significant contribution"). The truth was that I wanted to pursue a new direction, a passion I had not previously admitted. Once I accepted the real reason for my return to school, the pieces of my program and curriculum puzzle fell into place. To all of you who are struggling with these decisions, I wish you clarity and success. 9/04 TOP |
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