The Juggling Act: Parenting, Pursuing an Executive MBA, and Building a Career.
Let me share with you a chapter from my own book of life - a narrative often akin to a tightrope walk, a balancing act, and a roller coaster adventure all rolled into one. It's a story woven with three threads: the role of a parent, the quest of earning an Executive MBA (EMBA), and the mission of carving a professional career.
Chapter One: The Foundation - Parenting
The saga begins with the role that’s closest to my heart and most demanding of all - being a parent. For those who've been there, parenting isn’t a shift work; it's an all-encompassing, round-the-clock commitment. The sleepless nights, countless school runs, the constant worry juxtaposed with pure joy - each moment is a brushstroke painting a picture of resilience and determination unique to each of us.
Chapter Two: The Uphill Climb - Pursuing an EMBA
On this rocky terrain of parenting, I made a decision to ascend another steep hill - pursuing an EMBA. Night after night, long after my children fell asleep, I would be deep in the trenches of textbooks, crafting presentations, and dissecting case studies. Doubts and second thoughts were my occasional companions, but in the quiet stillness, my children's curious eyes watching me study provided an impetus beyond my own ambitions. I was painting a picture for them of the beauty of perseverance and the value of lifelong learning.
Chapter Three: The Tightrope Walk - Building a Professional Career
Simultaneously, on the third stage of this grand theater of life, I was building my professional career. Striking the right chord between work, networking, and continuous upskilling was my daily script. There were scenes where the roles would overlap, the pressure would escalate. I borrowed the focus and equilibrium of a tightrope walker, learning to be fully present in each act - be it a strategic business meeting, an EMBA study session, or the sacred time of a bedtime story.
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The Grand Finale: The Symphony of Life
On reflection, harmonizing these three profound elements of my life was an extraordinary feat. It was a ballet of time management, a marathon of resilience, and a masterclass in balance. However, the epiphany was this - life isn't about choosing one path over another; it's about orchestrating a symphony from the multitude of roles we play.
Parenting instilled in me the significance of time and patience, making me a more empathetic student. The EMBA journey enriched me with fresh insights, enhancing my professional aptitude. And shaping a career simultaneously taught my children lessons in dedication, hard work, and the pursuit of passion.
Ultimately, it's not about the act of switching hats; it's about the revelation that these roles aren’t standalone performances but harmoniously intertwined parts of our very identity.
I'm curious to hear your juggling act story. How do you conduct your life's symphony? Let's share and learn from our collective experiences, and inspire each other on this journey.
Toby McChesney, EdD – Vice Provost, Student-revered adjunct professor, Commendable Leadership and Service in Higher Education
1yLeon this is great and thanks for sharing your story. We are certainly glad you did your EMBA from Santa Clara University Leavey School of Business! Go Broncos!