It’s been a month since commencement from altMBA (created by the one and only Seth Godin); a workshop for selected global leaders and highly driven individuals to level up. Much time was needed to process what has happened; or rather, to rest and recharge from that intensity. The processing will never end. I’ve had breakthroughs every week. I can’t fully describe how much empowerment, vulnerability, inspiration, connections, prioritization, fun and learning were gained through this process. It’s more than a huge honour and privilege; getting to work and learn closely with people who come from different backgrounds and industries. From CEOs, COOs, Presidents, Directors to Entrepreneurs, Creatives and so many more. More importantly, the breakthroughs, close connections and friendship forged with like-minded people has been mind blowing.
Thanks to Justin, our brand designer and Fireside Chat Project Lead at 12Petals, for encouraging me to try out altMBA. I did not even know who Seth Godin was then in March when I applied; let alone the amazing work he’s been doing all these years in the world. When I read up more, the worldviews aligned, and it was something I really needed, questioned myself if I was able to commit to before applying. Regardless of whether I got accepted into the workshop or not, I was ready to change up my life routine and move forward with even more clarity and energy in my life. Upon receiving the acceptance email, understanding and changing up my sleep cycle since April to prep my body for the intensity paid off.
altMBA is definitely not your typical leadership online course or workshop that are usually one-way street; where you attend a series of recorded lectures, get a certificate at the end, have some type of networking going on; that usually doesn’t sustain or grow in the long run within that community. I didn’t even know what I was getting into, except that the worldview aligned and I needed some acceleration in my life.
So if you’re looking at conventional learning and certification, this is not the place to be. The level of intensity and awesomeness was really unexpected and out of this world.
A typical week/day in my life during the altMBA process looks something like this, with 3 projects due per week:
(You have different time zones to choose from and I was working in the Eastern Time Zone/New York time)
· 5-6am: Get up and ready for meeting
· Three 6am- 9am or 9pm-2am meetings in a week:
- Working with different groups on 3 projects every week
· 9am-12pm: Individual work and deliver each Project by 12pm
· 12pm-10pm: Coronation Music School + 12Petals work
(I teach 40 students a week and manage all aspects of Coro + 12Petals)
· 10pm-2am: altMBA work
· Any commuting time was spent on reading and processing as well
A few key takeaways from the experience:
🌎 It’s all about prioritization.
- Before starting altMBA, I was planning not to meet anyone during the one-month period; but I soon realize into the first week that I still needed a life, and how much I value that; I still made time to relax decompress with friends and family every week despite having “not enough time” for all the work piled up. I got to work hard and play hard at the same time! I was able to work and live even more efficiently and purposefully with all that I had do with altMBA, Coronation, 12Petals and my private life.
- “If that is not an option, what will I do?” This has helped me greatly in decision making processes.
[A topic for another blog post]
- I always knew that I have very good time management, but not until altMBA, did I find out that there is a whole new level to that; and that I was capable of doing even more with the finite time that we have.
- Any resistance to what you have to do; be it work or personal stuff, are all just a form of excuse or escape. If you prioritize, just show up and do it; you’re one step closing to getting things done or resolved.
🌎 We are (always) better together.
[One of the community practices of altMBA]
- This experience enhanced this worldview to a much deeper level. It drives what I’m doing in my daily work at Coronation Music School, teaching, 12Petals and many more to come.
- The collective good energy from like-minded people really brings hope, opportunities and it moves things in this world.
- Making a change is possible when you have the right people together.
🌎 Vulnerability connects people.
- Renewed purpose can always be found from within and with the right people if you dig deep enough.
- Being vulnerable to self and others opens doorways and paths that you can never imagine.
🌎 Seeking Sonder
[I’ll have another blog post on Sonder]
sonder - n. the realization that each random passerby is living a life as vivid and complex as your own.
SonderNarrated, written, directed, edited and coined by John Koenig.
🌎 It’s a huge honour and privilege to be in a leading position to serve others; do good and never forget your roots.
- This worldview has deepened and strengthened even more through altMBA. Even though most things in life are all self-imposed, the responsibility and duty to empower others in any work I do were magnified through this process.
- The biggest common problem throughout anything in life; be it at the workplace or personal life, is the battle of the ego and pride. In this working context, whether it’s on an individual or institutional level, when leaders only see themselves, manipulates or avoids; pain starts to trickle down to others and the system.
[Maybe another blog post on this seemingly unaddressed issue at workplace]
We have monthly reunions for our cohort and it’s just heart warming to know that a group of once-strangers-turned-friends will have your back for life after going through that process together.
For those of you who are interested in altMBA,
I highly recommend it.
Check it out for yourself if you wanna dig deeper <3