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.

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. 

Gratitude: Veterans Yoga Project

Today I began yoga Mindful Resilience Training (MRT) with the Veterans Yoga Project. 

Ever since I started teaching as a professor I have had the honor of working with many Veterans. Over the years I've learned how to be a good leader in the classroom and to create a safe environment. Many of my students at Golden Gate University, in The Manager as Communicator and Emotional and Social Intelligence at Work courses, are Veterans who have expressed a desire to increase their sense of calm, ease and relaxation. There always seemed to be an opportunity to bring awareness and intention to a mindfulness practice through movement and breath work. 

After completing this course my intention is to offer free yoga classes (online for now) to the Veteran community - perhaps directly through GGU and maybe through the Veterans Yoga Project.

The gratitude I express today is in learning that Post Traumatic Stress Disorder is recoverable. As a yoga teacher I can provide a safe external environment through clear asana, pranayama and meditation sequences that allow participants to find a safe internal space for their own healing. 

Sheltering at Home - Days 3 & 4 - Oakland, CA

What can I say, Day 3 was difficult. I lost momentum. In reflection I think it was that I didn't have any meetings set and I got lost in jumping between emails and to-do lists. Mid-day I gave up, took a bath, a nap and a walk. Then I asked a client for an extension. That was humbling. I pride myself on getting my work done - and at a high level of quality.

Here's Dhalia cat practicing safe social distancing.

The day turned around with the facilitation of my Golden Gate University class. These students inspire me and their engagement rekindled my motivation.

Day 4, today, was a roller coaster. I went from calm to anxiousness, to letting-go, then ennui, followed by motivation, and then energy! Yes, all of that in 10 hours.

What I notice is that people who are anxious on zoom really stand out in calls. Their frenetic, kinetic, energy dominates. I'm learning to sit back and listen, but not absorb. Also learning to get use to my wrinkles. They are very noticeable in the zoom image. Gives me some feedback as my face gets more tired and stressed in calls and as the day moves along.

Went for a walk after "work" and am noticing that aches and pains I've had for years are disappearing. Is it the lack of commute? Internal focus? Bike riding? Even though my work is nearly overwhelming each day, I feel a sense of calm, purpose and clarity that indicates I'm on the right track with my life.

Tomorrow I teach my first online yoga class via zoom. Thank you zoom, you are the hero in this story.

Flashback to 2002

Check out this 2002 photo of me from the Golden Gate University Alumni Board of Directors.

Observations: This is when I first started wearing my hair straight, interesting glasses and I'm wearing Stephen's sweater.

I actually look pretty much the same except for slightly better hair, no glasses and of course not wearing that sweater.

Today I almost purchased a pair of earrings just like these.

Re-orientating

This evening I registered for my first course Data Analysis for Managers with a text book that cost me $160...used. I am thinking positive thoughts about math, especially since the book has Excel in the title. I am all about mastering Excel.



After registering and getting my student I'd (with a very decent photo) I attended new domestic student orientation. One of the features I love about GGU is the diversity of the student body. Nearly all the new students seem to be international.



The highlight of the evening was talking to the security guard, Henrick, who I remember from when I was a student in the Arts Administration program. He asked me if I was a student here last semester because my face looked familiar. When I told him that it was ten years ago when we first met he seemed only somewhat surprised. He's been there for 15 years.



Seems that as a student, once again, I have more in common with the faculty and staff. The Assistant Dean remembered me and my friend Leah is a Director for the Center for Student Success.



I first moved to San Francisco to attend GGU back in 93 or 94. Here I am again, back in the Bay Area and at GGU. Feels a bit like Cheers where everybody knows your name.

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!

Strange Day Indeed

Today started out strange and became progressively weirder with a happy ending.

Starting with the end...I have been accepted into Golden Gate University's Doctor of Business Administration program! So very happy about this news. My focus will be sustainable social enterprise.

Previous to that was the meeting in which I was let go from my company and then contracted as a consultant at a far better hourly rate. Health insurance is going to be the challenge there.

So, spreading my wings and feeling more secure than ever in a certain uncertain set of circumstances.

Kaiser Knows All?!?

I just had the most freakiest experience when signing up online for access to my new Kaiser Premanente health insurance plan. I had to answer a few questions - with multiple choice responses. How in the world they knew this information about me I will never know because it was not on my health care application form and I never previously enrolled with Kaiser.

It knew...

My address when I lived in Salinas, CA
I am/was connected to Stephen
My sister Marlene's age - how did it even know her name?
That I graduated from Golden Gate University

Either they are reading my blog, I am being stalked or everything is connected through my social security number.