Written by Jess, Edited by Jenna
If there is one mantra I say more than others, it may be this one… run your own race!
Recently, the Anderson MBA students started their 2-year journey. In the very first week, students partake in a super interactive career brainstorming exercise. Students get a list of 100+ jobs, and from that list, they rank order their top 12. Then, in small groups, they come up with images, themes, and tensions based solely on that list of jobs. Example below.
What’s fascinating about the exercise is that the list of 12 jobs each student picks is completely unique to them. I have never seen 2 students have the exact same list! Jobs include everything from typical MBA roles - brand manager, venture capitalist, CEO, entrepreneur to non-traditional MBA roles - influencer, philanthropist, professional athlete, captain of a ship, and more.
So while all students start their MBAs with a different list, somewhere along the 2-year journey they begin to want the same things. Product manager in big tech. Consultant at a top firm. The same roles at the same companies! Yet the students are all so amazingly unique in their own ways. When did they all start running the same race?
And this “race” isn’t just specific to MBAs. It can show up at any age and life stage. From high-achieving high schoolers applying to the same prestigious colleges, to adults climbing the corporate ladder, to peers posting only the highlights on social media - the race is everywhere!
I get it. It’s hard not to compare yourself to others. But putting blinders on and running your own race is absolutely crucial. What you really enjoy is most likely very different from others. Oftentimes, it takes slowing down and ignoring all of the noise to be your best and most authentic self.
Plus… why is everyone even racing?
Maybe it’s not about the finish line at all. Maybe it’s about walking your own path, at your own pace, in the shoes that are comfortable for you, slowing down and cherishing each step along the way.
Next steps:
Write down 1 thing that you may be doing now that is true to who you are.
Is there 1 thing you can lean into further to be even more you?
Are you running a race? Is it your own? Do you even want to be racing?