Beat the odds by beating a retreat from naysayers
Q: I start at Columbia Business School full-time in September, something I’ve always dreamed of. Some people in my circle are teasing me, saying I’m wasting my time and money because companies these days value experience over B-school. Are they right?
A: Congratulations. Total applications to CBS for 2008 just topped 6,000, a 7 percent increase over 2007, according to the school. Your “friends” are wrong. Following your dreams, studying at a great school, and building a network you’ll tap for the rest of your life is an invaluable investment. Starting today, put a barrier between yourself and naysayers, especially since you’re in a professional and creative ramp-up period. Distance yourself from people who mock your goals or imply, “Who do you think you are, anyway?”
When avoiding a detractor isn’t possible, have snappy comebacks at the top of your mind. Use your voice and your intonation to say things that are very biting, but in a way that doesn’t make people
recoil. Your goal is to get them off of your back, but always take the high road. Example: Someone teases you about the bill you’re going to run up going back to school. With an easy smile and a laugh, fire back with, “Not everyone can be an underachiever!” Or, say a co-worker mockingly says in a team meeting what a waste an MBA degree is. Reply in a slightly amused, slightly sarcastic, yet upbeat tone (remember, no chip on your shoulder!) with something along the lines of: “Ok then! Thanks for clearing that up for me. I must not have gotten the memo!” followed by a one-syllable chuckle, and a dismissive shake of your head. Then, “All right! Let’s move on.”
It is vitally important to your sense of “self-efficacy,” defined as “the ability to succeed because [you] believe that persistent effort will let [you] beat the odds,” according to a recent Wall Street Journal article by Melinda Beck, that you feel empowered to protect the integrity of your productive, optimistic, and creative thinking.
Shield your planning, execution and strategic focusing efforts from negative, jealous, judgmental jerks. Focus on making the contribution you were born to make. And remember to congratulate
yourself!
Dr. Debra Condren is a coach, speaker and author of “Ambition Is Not A Dirty Word” (Broadway). E-mail your burning questions to debra@ambitionisnotadirtyword.com.
