On the hunt for my next big adventure
Seth Godin is making the offer of a lifetime - six months studying with him at his New York office. He's proposed this as an alternative to getting a traditional MBA where you would study big, important things like finance and accounting.
The best part? (Outside of getting to hang with Seth for six months, that is.) - The part where Seth says this is going to be about practical application of (drum roll) stuff I'm actually interested in!! I work with accountants right now. I've tried to read books on financial reports and corporate finance. Just can't make it through because that's not where my passion lies. I want to dream big. I want to grow our firm's internal community. I want to find new places to share my thoughts.
So this lens is my official application to Seth's experimental education program. Best of luck to everyone applying!
What Seth Wants to Know
Because it's good to follow the directions sometimes
* What do you do now?
* Why do you do it?
* What are you hoping to learn?
* After you learn it, what are you going to do with it?
* Tell me a true story about making a change in the world.
* Have you overcome a Dip?
* What astonishing thing did you do before you did what you do now.
* Make a wish.
* What else should I know?
Other Applications
I'm not the only one interested in this gig. Here are a few applications from others that I found and who want to join me on this journey!-
NJ's Taking A Leap!
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Dear Seth Godin: My name is Norma-Jean and this is my application for your Alternative MBA. For those who are checking in for the first time, Seth Godin has gone out on a limb and asked for some driven, brilliant, charismatic, on a mission, moving...
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Alternative MBA (Sorta)Application - Tiara Shafiq
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I don't mean to mock the idea of the Alternative MBA; indeed, I think it's awesome, and I'm all for it. However, logistics (mainly time and visas) get in the way, so even if I do get accepted there's no way I'll be able to make it there. However, be...
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Pete Michaud is on a Mission
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This lens exists to answer Seth's questions for his MBA Alternative Apprenticeship. He wants to know this: What do you do now? Why do you do it? What are you hoping to learn? After you learn it, what are you going to do with it? Tell me a true stor...
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Aidan Nulman is not going to Business School
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This lens/application is starting as part of a study break. Parts will slowly be added to it over the course of the week, so check back for more!
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I don't want an MBA... I want real life experience with Seth Godin
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Maybe losing that job or not getting that promotion, or just realizing "it's time to move on" was really just a first step towards a new, crazy adventure? Maybe it creates just the right circumstances for you to do something that you would never drea...
Don't Forget!!
The deadline to apply is Dec. 14!! Earlier is better.
Where I Am Now
Marketing manager for accounting firm - I'm changing the world there by pushing us into social media and more team selling. We're out on the cutting edge with a few of these things.
Creative genius - I still have people asking me to do graphic design for them and paint (I used to have a faux finish/mural business). I would like to expand this to things that can be on my own terms, like opening an Etsy shop.
Online marketing - Thanks to Squidoo, I'm establishing my own creative world online where I actually make money. Not enough to replace my regular income - yet.
Why I Do It
Typical reasons - Money, security, insurance. My husband works for himself, which means there can be a lot of uncertainty there. My taking a normal job allowed him to go out on his own (increasing both income and security) and gives him freedom and latitude in choosing projects he likes. Am I brave enough to just toss all that? Yes. But it's not just me that would have to be brave.
Creative outlet - Squidoo gave me a place to use my research skills and creativity without anyone else telling me what to do. (Not that I couldn't still do with an editor now and then.) That was my sole motivation when I started, but it's opened my eyes to the number of different doors I could walk through now.
My Life
Photos from flickr that show home and family events. (Yep, that's my newly remodeled house I'd be giving up for six months. It'll be worth it!)
Why I Want to Study with Seth
And it's more than just a joy of learning that has me excited.
- Relevance
I might want to be the CEO of my own life and I might want to change the world in some way, but I don't plan to do it by running a big division or company. As a result, it just seems to me that so much of what you would cover in a traditional program would be ... let's say unrelated ... to my end goals. Seth is planning to cover the things that actually get me excited and that I would want to spend the next 20 years doing. - Time
I am guilty of being impatient with the journey. I want to be there already. I'm still pushing for a four-day work week in our office. So I love the idea of something short and intense so we get to where we're actually using what we learn. - The Company
This wouldn't just be a cool opportunity for me. It's also a cool opportunity for several other people. Which means I'd get to do this gig in a room with people smarter than me, who are also passionate about these topics. - Failure Encouraged
Seth's general philosophy falls in line with one of the things I love the most about Southwest Airlines. There is no shame in failing. Only shame in not trying. (Which is contrary to Yoda, though. "There is no try, only do.")
What I Want to Do With What I Learn
- Discover some focus, a true passion
- Learn just how to keep myself focused on the strategic ends rather than the tactical means.
- Develop a new skill set that I can apply to whatever I tackle in the second half of my life.
What I Want to Do With It
- Leverage the power of Seth's name and the education to change my career path
- Give my husband's company better marketing power
- Find a problem I can get passionate about and solve it
Me in Sudan.
About Where I've Been
How I have been astonishing
But the two things I've ever done that people find astonishing and want to know more about? My first career was as a sports writer. I started out at a time when women were still rare on the sports pages and given how girly I'm getting in my dotage (of 38!), it surprises people that I pursued such a tack in life.
The second thing was my trip to southern Sudan in the summer of 2007 with my church. Just the mention of Sudan tends to freak people out, but it was an amazing adventure. We were there to do training and to see what else our church could get involved in. Since then, there's been a second trip with a dentist and I'm trying to convince my dad to go to do some badly needed AIDS education.
Don't Waste Your Life
Don't Waste Your Life
Amazon Price: $10.07 (as of 02/09/2010)
I read this during my mission trip to Sudan in 2007. Inspired me to take on a few new projects on my return and really rethink just what I intend to do with the rest of my life.
How I'm Changing the World
It's small, but impactful
When I got back from Sudan, one of my personal challenges was to figure out how I could make a better impact on the world around me - now. But it had to be something I could actually do, something that I could make work with my life. (Sad, isn't it, but I know my limits and I didn't want them to keep me from doing this.)The plan when my team went to Sudan was to do training for church leaders and scout out for projects our church could get involved in. As often happens, the best things are the unplanned. Once we got there, I was asked to help out in the evenings with an ESL program. Southern Sudan is planning to become its own country in a few years and there are big changes afoot as a result. English is becoming the official language, women are constitutionally set as part of the government and there is some effort to move away from tribalism.
So this class I ended up in was an advanced class, meaning they were learning exciting things like how to conjugate the pluperfect and so forth. It was all men, most of whom had held jobs in the Arabic-only government of the north and wanted to learn English to make the transition. Our first night was spent with them staring at me skeptically (educated women are rare in Sudan) and me trying to remember what the heck the pluperfect was. But by the second night, I was explaining how American businesses made money, why Jeb Bush wasn't going to be president just because his brother was and our education system. They learned new words like accounting and I got a peek into a side of Sudan I wouldn't have seen otherwise.
So when I got home, committed to do something more productive with my life than make sure I was on the sofa in time for House every week, I looked in to my options to teach ESL. (I had learned how to speak slowly and sound like a thesaurus, so I knew I could do it. :-) My church had a program working with the refugees in the neighborhood around the church (betcha didn't know we had refugees in Dallas, did ya'? I never did until I joined this church.), but I knew I would never keep up with it if I had to drive all the way over there. So I found a session that was right by my house and started teaching there.
I was only there one night a week, but during that time, I felt I was making an impact. Helping people in a small way that would improve their job options, expand their world view, teach them new things. I had a couple of students repeat my level and I could definitely see improvement in their skills, which is no mean feat when you only come twice a week.
I had to take a break this fall for several reasons and was planning to go back in January. (Guess that's out.) I really enjoyed working with my students, hearing about their lives (and appreciating their patience when I tried to use my Spanish!) It was a small change, but one with a ripple effect that I hope makes a difference for years to come.
Oh, More Small Ways
I donated my hair this year and have been encouraging others to do the same via my lens. I've also worked to get the word out about the Soles United program over at Crocs (and donated my shoes). And collected all the interesting charity lenses I could find into a lensography of off-beat charities.-
How to Donate Your Hair
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There's been a lot of publicity over the past few years related to hair donation, including Hillary Swank's highly public hair cut on Oprah. Before you take the plunge and donate your hair, however, make sure you do your homework in choosing...
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Off-Beat Charities: Helping Others in Unusual Ways
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I like the unusual, the off-beat, the different. And I noticed that charities I tended to lenses about were fitting that pattern. So I went to look for other lenses that featured unusual charities. I was looking for charities that had unusual ways to...
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Soles United: Recycle Your Used Crocs
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My baby blue Crocs has been through it all in the two years since I bought them. Traipsing through the sand on a Mexican beach, clomping around my local mall, squelching through the mud in Sudan. As a result, they're starting to look a bit battered a...
Me in Action
Fighting Through a Dip
My career is in a Dip at the moment, which is part of why I am excited about doing this. It's not a magic bullet, but it would be a way to push through and get to a different track and on an upward trajectory.But my real Dip was on a personal level. Several years ago, I went through a down patch mentally and emotionally. Not quite a full-blown depression, but I was on the way there. Fortunately, I was aware of my unhappiness enough to try to do something about it before bottom came crashing to meet me. That led me on a path that eventually led to counseling and medication. It was amazing and scary to me to realize just how far from my true self I had fallen (those drugs are awesome!). The real part of the Dip, the part where I feel I pushed through, was working toward getting myself out of counseling and off of medication. There are many days when I know things would be much easier if I just kept the medication going rather than actually coping with something. (Mood swings are tough on everyone around you.) But I was determined to get myself to a place where I could cope, could deal with life rather than rely on a pill.
More Applications from Others
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The World of Pat Ferdinandi
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Hello World...Welcome to Pat Ferdinandi's Digital Universe. This lense is morphing. It was originally developed to apply for Seth Godin's internship titled: Alternate MBA. Nine people out of 350 applicants were chosen for the specific opportun...
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To MBA or not to MBA, that is the question.
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Seth put it out there - an opportunity to work, learn and play with him and others I have some thoughts, ideas and views I want to express. I don't expect to be chosen and that's totally okay. This is more for myself than it is for Seth.
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James D Kirk
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Thank you so very much for stopping by. The focus of this lens is all about promoting Seth Godin's Alternative MBA program and applying for acceptance! Regardless of outcome Seth, thank you for the opportunity and accept my sincere gratitude for you...
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Teenage Marketing-Guru-Wannabe Seeks Life Changing Seth Godin Apprenticeship
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I'm 17, I don't have impeccable references, but I do have 6 of your books. I want to work for you and I don't care if I have to walk from my apartment in California to New York for a 10 minute interview. I hail from a school which is one of the top...
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Yes, I'm Hoping for More Than World Peace
My grown-up wish
My real wish? The one I most desperately wish would come true? That the producers of the Amazing Race would get off their duffs and call me and my friend to be on the show. They don't know what they're missing, but I am painfully aware of it every week when I watch the show.That's a real one, but probably not in proper context here. What I wish for, long for, ache for is to figure out how to make "me" work. Let's see. How to explain this.
I am random. I am obsessive. I am full of ideas. All good things to some extent. But what it also means is that I'm a bit ADD when it comes to my interests. Woodworking becomes my obsession for a few months and I build bookcases and reface drawers, but then I don't do anything else for years. Or I have ideas for internal communications projects and revenue teams and target clients at work, but not the time to be the driving force for every idea I have. (And have ya' noticed that if you come up with the idea, people expect you to be the one who does it?)
So my wish? Figure out what kind of life, career, job, cause, mission can take advantage of someone who gets really intense and focused on one thing for a short time, but then might not ever be excited about it again. Someone who likes to chase the new and shiny. Someone who can generate ideas like some people generate carbon dioxide. To figure out how to make a lifework work with the way I am rather than trying to shoehorn myself into a traditional box.
My Strengths (Per Marcus Buckingham)
My strengths as given in Marcus Buckingham's book - Now Discover Your Strengths. It was just a little freaky taking that test as it actually pegged me pretty well. Still trying to figure out how to best make use of the info, though.
Vote for which you think Seth would find most valuable!
Achiever
People strong in achiever have a great deal of stamina and work hard. They take great satisfaction from being busy and productive.1 point
Focus
People strong in focus can take a direction, follow through and make the corrections necessary to stay on track. They prioritize, then act.1 point
Learner
People strong in learner have a great desire to learn and want to continuously improve. In particular, the process of learning, rather than the outcome, excites them.1 point
Communication
People strong in communication generally find it easy to put their thoughts into words. They are good conversationalists and presenters.0 points
Input
People strong in input have a craving to know more. Often, they like to collect and archive all kinds of information.0 points
Now, Discover Your Strengths
Now, Discover Your Strengths
Amazon Price: $19.80 (as of 02/09/2010)
List Price: $30.00
Used Price: $0.01
This book changed the way I saw myself, giving me the freedom to focus on making my strengths the best they can be instead of "fixing" all the places where I'm not that great. I've spent the several years since I first read it trying to figure out what kind of career actually let's me use my strengths to their best. Still looking.
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Dealbreakers from Seth
The things Seth listed as being no-gos:
You have to find a place to stay that allows an easy commute to my office outside of NY (zip code 10706). We are three blocks from the train station, which is 40 minutes from Grand Central Station.
No problem. Already found a place with a yard so I could bring the dogs.
You have to speak perfect English.
I even know when to use "whom".
You can't smoke.
Yuck. One vice I've never been tempted by.
You have to be both nice and smart, with an impeccable list of references.
Hmm. I know a few shady characters. But nice and smart I can definitely do.
I don't care a bit about how old you are or particularly what your business background is. I care a lot about what you've done and even better, how you've done it.
This is good because my career has been quite spastic, actually. Which makes me a real risk in some people's eyes. Better to take the person with industry experience who will do everything the same old way.
Why Seth Shouldn't Take Me
Just a few reasons Seth might want to proceed with caution with me.
Even though none of the dealbreakers are an issue for me, there are still a few reasons Seth might want to reconsider.
- I am excited by new ideas.
I know, this doesn't sound like it should be a negative, right? But what happens is that I'm always chasing the shiny, new thing and not necessarily finishing up the old, dull thing that I was excited about a few months ago. I'm hard working, determined, dedicated - but also easily distracted. Which means I often start a lot more than I finish. - I am all over the place.
I might technically be a grown up, but I still can't seem to decide what I want to do when I grow up. I'm all over Twitter, have several blogs, try to maintain a Facebook page, etc. My digital footprint is bigger than my carbon footprint. Done well, this can be a valid strategy, but it's definitely not in line with Seth's general philosophy. - I live on Susan time.
This is a frustrating thing for my hubby, but one he's learned to adapt to. Susan time doesn't involve being late or slow. It involves getting far too focused on the task at hand and losing track of time. Which means a hard shopping trip lasts for hours or I spend five hours updating Squidoo lenses rather than getting to the dishes. Time passes more quickly when you enter a Susan zone and before you know it, it's hours later. - I love bacon.
Given how Seth feels about bacon (check out his comment in the debate), maybe we wouldn't get along. Hmm. I guess it works for Megan so it could work for me.
Spreading the News
I got just a little excited about this whole deal. This is an amazing opportunity and just thinking about the possibilities made me giddy. I've been obsessing about how I could make it work for me, but am just as excited about who I know might also enjoy the opportunity. There are a few people I would love to do this with.So it was time to get the word out. That meant an immediate tweet out on Twitter, as well as a DM to a person I know is also a Seth freak. I did a blog post on my main blog, which gets repurposed via RSS feed to about 10 places. I then went through my address book and sent email out to anyone I thought might be interested (or would know someone who would be interested). I also updated my Facebook status with the link to the lens with details and later created the Facebook group - I Want to Study with Seth!! Whew! All told, I probably hit at least 500 people via all these sources and I know at least two were going to apply. (Hmm. Conversion rates get me every time!)
Susan's Digital Footprint
Actually, more like my digital big toe. I started counting up all the places you can find me online and it just made me tired. Here are the main ones.
- The Life of Lewister
- My main blog in which I talk a lot about Squidoo, but also just a few of the things on my mind. Trust me, there's not enough internet out there for everything.
- My LinkedIn profile. More of a professional take on me and my life. I think the fact that this isn't where I spend much time reflects my mindshift about what I want to be doing with my career.
- My profile on Facebook was started as yet another place to promote my Squidoo lenses. Has grown into an outlet for my "normal" job as well as a surprisingly enjoyable reconnection to high school friends.
- FriendFeed
- One of the best places to keep track of me as almost all my other internet sites feed into this one. This is probably one of the places where I really need to spend more time. Even started a room to go with my baby quilt blog and am still trying to build audience.
- Book Bindings
- My book review blog, started mostly to help me keep up with what (and how much!) I've actually read. Given the way I move around from genre to genre, I often forget cool people I'd like to read more of. This blog has a few readers, but is really just for me.
- VisualCV
- Still working out just what should go on this guy. Hmm, how about everything I included here?
- Triiibes
- My profile there, although I have been sadly not that active over there. Just started at a bad time for me and I never have gone back to get traction. But you can see my profile video I did over at Seesmic on the page.
- Slideshare
- My presentation I did for accounting marketing managers/directors of firms in MSNA. I've submitted to present about using Twitter in education (with my mom!) as well as to talk about social media and Twitter for the Association of Accounting Marketing next summer.
Susan on Twitter
Adding value to the universe
- aka Twitter
- 0 followers
- 0 following
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- When's the last time you wrote your representative or senator? - http://bit.ly/cJzODV
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- See what the House Rules Committee is up to. (GOP anyway). Announcements of votes, etc. on twitter - http://twitter.com/RulesReps
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- Am I the only cranky person who refuses to _pay_ to get a speaking slot at a conference? As if, if you want to talk, must be a sponsor?
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- @SherylLoch Pain pills? Pbbbt. She's a tough girl. Doesn't need no stinking pain pills. (Me, on the other hand ... . :-)
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- Paisley's war wound. I counted 10 stitches. Doing better today now that drugs have worn off. http://twitpic.com/123ak3
I do design too! Custom holiday card & envelope I designed this year for my office.
Circle of Innovation
My all-time favorite Tom Peters tome
The Circle of Innovation: You Can't Shrink Your Way to Greatness
Amazon Price: $11.53 (as of 02/09/2010)
List Price: $16.95
Used Price: $0.01
Every time I read this, I find something new I just want to grab someone and tell them. It's one of those books that if other people read it, they might start to understand a little of the way my mind works.
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Purple Cow
My favorite Seth Godin book
Purple Cow: Transform Your Business by Being Remarkable
Amazon Price: (as of 02/09/2010)
List Price: $20.95
Used Price: $3.23
For me, everything about Seth's other books stems from the philosophy put forward in this one - be remarkable. Without that, you're toast.
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More Books That Have Influenced My Thinking
![Freakonomics [Revised and Expanded]: A Rogue Economist Explores the Hidden Side of Everything](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51jfzkXFz6L._SL75_.jpg)
My Squidoo Adventure
My lensography includes most of my lenses, as well as more about me. Good look at how randomly my brain works. :-)-
SusanVillasLewis
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Well, probably for my mom and my husband. But I guess the rest of you won't love me just for existing. So here's more about me, links to my various lenses, thoughts on future lenses and just the general randomness that is Susan. This will forever be...
Since you're here ....
Room to Read partner with local communities throughout the developing world to provide quality educational opportunities by establishing libraries, creating local language children's literature, constructing schools, providing education to girls and estab
Your Turn!!!
Is there something I missed you think Seth would want to know about? Have a question? Just want to leave a note of encouragement? This is the place!!
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Reply
- KimGiancaterino KimGiancaterino Jun 18, 2009 @ 11:07 am
- This lens is featured on A Day of 100 Squid Angel Blessings.
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Reply
- WhitePineLane WhitePineLane Jun 15, 2009 @ 8:57 pm
- This is a fabulous lens, Susan! I can't believe I'm just reading it now for the first time-- I've been following your whole adventure with Seth, but I hadn't seen how it started! Really, one of the best lenses I've seen.
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Reply
- Tipi Tipi Jun 6, 2009 @ 11:24 am
- What a great lens and the ideas that you incorporated into are noteworthy indeed!
Here's to great success in your life and on Squidoo! - Seth rocks, and so do you!
Susie --- (lensrolling to my Seth Godin lens)
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Reply
- Frankster Frankster Apr 28, 2009 @ 7:09 pm
- Excellent. If I had an opening for anything, I'd hire you in a snap! Go get 'em girl! Bear hugs, Frankie
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Reply
- Heidi Cole Heidi Cole Mar 3, 2009 @ 12:42 pm
- Congrats Susan! I just got an update from linkedin that you are in NYC with Seth! Wow... you are such a go-getter... Me, well, I am still at home chaning poopy diapers... Hopefully we will both be fulfilled in our daily quest!
Have a blast and keep me updated on everything... oh.... I am "dipping" right now... so I appreciated your thoughts on that also. Going to meet with my doc this week and talk about some medication so I can get some stability... then I think I will be able to fight my way out... evenutually!
Again, congrats!
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by SusanVillasLewis
Basic gal from the Dallas area who has a lot to say!! I'm working on lens related to my odd-ball interests, as well as some tying back to my husband'...
(more)
