Goal Achieved: Doctor of Business Administration ~ 2024 The Year of Circle Synthesis

Looking back on 2022 I am reminded of the Big Hairy Audacious Goal (BHAG) of a 1-year running streak. In 2023 I have kept the running streak going. PLUS, I earned my Doctor of Business Administration from Golden Gate University, which was equivalent to climbing Mt. Everest over 6 years. Reaching the mountain peak was a long and lonely journey but I had the support of my Arts Management mentor, Dr. Anne W. Smith, as my Dissertation Committee Chair.

Here Anne is granting my Doctor of Business Administration degree at MetLife Stadium in San Francisco. Same stadium in which the Hearts of San Francisco project culminated in 2014. All paths in my life are Heart-centered. 

2024 is the Year of Circle Synthesis. A Circle is a complete ring and Synthesis is to place together and combine. My intention is to generate brilliance ~ the intense brightness of light ~ by integrating all the work I have been doing in my career and various practices. The key strategic themes will be steady balance, calm compassion, self-kindness, and core strength. This Circle Synthesis is a process and a product, both of which are yet to be determined. 

Dahlia cat is pictured below sitting on my 8-sided graduation tam. I notice in these two images that Anne's hands are a circle around me and Dahlia cat is sitting in the tam's center. These images symbolize the integration of body, heart and mind. Eight is my favorite number because it is the fluid and flowing infinity symbol ~ a never-ending circle of synthesis.

The Year of Accomplishing BHAGs

 
On January 1, 2022 I began a running streak - meaning - that I vowed to run at least 1 mile a day. The duration of this streak was not decided until a month into the venture. Now it has been every day including today, December 16, 2022. I hope to continue this practice into the new year and beyond as it demonstrates that I can set and accomplish Big goals, dare I say Big Hairy Audacious Goals (BHAGs). 

If you asked me on December 23, 2021 if I would run even 1 mile I would have laughed it off - I hated running. Now I love it. This year I participated in three 5K runs and each helped me build focus and confidence. I ran through rain, snow, injuries, and extreme heat along mostly roads, sidewalks and some trails in Connecticut, California, Maryland, Virginia, and New Mexico.

Ironically, usually I advise my clients and students to be aware (or beware) of setting BHAGs because they are hard to achieve. But now that I have pursued several, I know that they can keep you inspired, motivated and on-a-journey. There is the runner's high and also the achievement high of setting an intention and making it a reality. 

Here I am at 2022 Thanksgiving morning 5K Turkey Trot in Virginia.

The next BHAG on my list is to complete my Doctoral dissertation (Doctor of Business Administration) at Golden Gate University. I began this program in 2018 and have taken the slow and steady route of one course per semester. The pandemic allowed me the time to focus on this BHAG. Slow and steady wins the race.

UPDATE: I ran all 365 days in 2022 for a total of 1126.45 miles. The streak continues in 2023.

So, here's to you 2023, the Year of Accomplishing Big Hairy Audacious Goals!

See you at the finish line.

Gratitude: Good Professors

Yes, I am a professor, but I am also a student. Class started for me today at Golden Gate University in the Doctor of Business Administration Program. This is year two and I probably have another four years to go, which can be daunting when I think about it. However, I am in for the journey, the learning pathway and not rushing to earn the degree. 

My first class assignment was to write a bit about why I am pursuing this degree. Seems so obvious but I had lost track of my motivation. The discussion forum post gave me the opportunity to sit down and reflect. It took me three hours and the time passed in what felt like 30 minutes. This was a chance to consider "the story of me" the why, what, how, where, when, and who of this journey. Here's the first two paragraphs of what I wrote:

I feel refreshed, renewed and reinvigorated after this afternoon's writing. Grateful to my professor for asking an obvious question that resulted in a moment to pause and reflect. 

Moms Know Best

I've been stuck in my head writing a client's strategic plan and generally disciplining myself to stay on course whilst I prefer to wander. Leave it to my mom to notice I haven't been posting.
So here's what's on my mind:

Doctor of Business Administration
I recognized that I am very happy with my career, which challenges me every day to work harder, think smarter. The stretch goals I've set for myself are within reach and when I need to develop specific skills I will attend programs, workshops, trainings, read books and share best practices with colleagues. Conclusion: enough schooling.

Hands On Creativity
I need to express my creativity, artistically. Getting back to photography is essential for nurturing my creative heart. More work with my hands such as felting and cooking need to be higher on my list of creative outlets. This is now a personal priority.

Physical Experience
Most of my time is spent up in my head thinking for a living. Recognizing that I need to get creative I also need to get more physical. Yes, I ride Ike the Bike nearly every day which keeps me in-tune and tuned-up. I also want to ride Ike for pleasure, continue to practice my yoga, meditation and take some walks along the beach, hike, and dance.

Simplify
My tendency is to start-up ventures such as the www.meetup.com/BizArts and over-commit myself to all kinds of social-pseudo-professional projects. Even though I'm good at this I actually do not derive personal pleasure - just stress. The Arts Management Consulting Community of Practice is a better focus of my time as it directly speaks to my areas of interest, expertise and builds community and collaboration. So, working on cutting back on these distractions to make more time for Hands On Creativity and Physical Experience.

Quality Time with Friends and Family
Yes, I'm making time for myself, and with that I am recognizing that key relationships with friends and family also must be nurtured. Identifying the relationships that are mutually-wonderful is becoming a personal practice of selectivity. This may sound hoity-toity but it is more about quality time with the people I love; celebrating, enjoying and savoring these relationships.

Perhaps this is a vision statement in my personal strategic plan.

Back to School

Tomorrow begins my new long-term commitment of starting graduate school. I return to Golden Gate University from which I graduated with a Masters in Arts Administration in 1997.

New student orientation is tomorrow and my first class is on Wednesday - Data Analysis for Managers. Could sound like a sleeper to some but I am totally jazzed. Working towards a Doctor of Business Administration is exactly the business grounding I want to pursue in my career.

This is going to take around four years to complete but I see it as a journey. Chatting with Matt and Rachel's housemate Tyler I said that I didn't want to take 13 years to complete the degree and he responded that that is his dream - to be in school for 13 years. You know, he's got a point. But I do plan to finish before that long. My intention is to couple the courses with my consulting work...and to continue to work internationally...and not incur debut.

Grad School Here I Come

A week later and the acceptance into Golden Gate University's Doctor of Business Administration is finally sinking in. Received paperwork outlining the required courses and with it a copy of my previous grades from when I attended the university in 1997 when working towards my Masters in Arts Administration. I was shocked to see three A+ grades. My lowest was a B-, my only B, for accounting. I remember just not getting it and was doubly challenged by the coursework being taught online.

Now I'm motivated to learn everything business, like a sponge!