Assuming you’ve read my Handy Dandy !MBA Application Super Duper Disclaimer, I have a few thoughts on this whole undertaking before I get started (or rather, before I tell you about how I got started). Some of these things are really important, and I don’t want to overlook them once I get into the thick of things.
Don’t get all codependent about it… but DO YOUR DAMNEDEST.
This could be a wonderful opportunity that changes your life and the direction of your career—but it’s not the end of the world if it doesn’t happen. “Once-in-a-lifetime” events come along twice a month if you’re open to them, and paying attention. This may be your time, but if not, don’t sweat it! Make the journey one worth traveling, enjoy yourself, learn something new, and let it go.
Do NOT take that as advice not to do your very best work on this application. What’s the point in putting forth the effort if you don’t make the result spectacular? You have a chance to do something amazing here, not only because of the doors it might open but because of the growth that will happen—in you. Making the journey worth traveling means doing your best work and helping yourself grow along the way. Hard work, discomfort, reaching beyond our preconceived limits, these create growth. Take a good hard look at yourself and make sure you’re putting forth an effort that’s really worth your time—you’ll thank yourself later.
There’s something inside you that is just incomparable. So push yourself.
This is not a race. This is not a boxing match.
This isn’t as much a competition as you might think. Sure, some people will get to go and some won’t. But Seth has built cooperative effort right into his application process—and you’re not going to gain ground by keeping this to yourself or trying to sneak ahead of the pack. Tell your friends and colleagues what’s going on—offer to help them look over their applications to make sure they didn’t miss anything. (I’m sure they’d do the same for you!) And support them. Some of them will be brilliant minds like Becky Blanton, who need to raise some money in order to do this thing. Most of them will need a little emotional encouragement. Do what you can to help them. We’re all in this together.
I’m not freaking kidding here: If you really want this, do your research.
If you’re not terribly familiar with Seth Godin and his exploits, I’d spend some time reading his blog and looking at similar events he’s put together in the past. If you’re a member of Triiibes, you have an insanely useful resource for helping you put together a spectactular Alternative MBA application, so you should be using it. If you’re not a member of Triiibes, Seth still has a huge body of material that’s completely public and completely free. Check out his blog, his Squidoo lenses, take a look at Google Blog Search (and the regular web search, for that matter). Read Tribes: We Need You to Lead Us
Seth HAS talked about the decisions he’s made in regards to hiring and internships, and that should inform you here. Find that stuff, and keep it on your list of things to take into account while you’re putting your application together. It could make the difference between getting to participate and missing out. You might think that Triiibes members have a huge advantage, but they really don’t—Seth may know them better than a stranger off the street (well, in a purely intarwubs sort of way), but you have access to just about the same knowledge they do, if you try. You can SHOW him who you are by submitting a great application. Be cool, and don’t kid yourself. You can do this.
Whew. Okay, now for the good stuff. My notes! Let me, uh, get those together and get back to you. ;}
