Most of us know what back to school means.
Some of us went back to school as kids.
Some of us had kids that went back to school.
Many of us have kids that are going back to school now in August.
And, we all know that back to school generates emotion.
For kids, it’s excitement, anxiety, and nervousness.
For parents, it’s mixed feelings, including the kids growing up.
I had kids that went back to school. For me, it always generated the emotion of “my babies are growing up.” Even when going off to college, I know….
So, what emotion does “back to school” generate for an adult going back to school?
I went back to school in my 30s to finish my undergraduate.
I went back to school in my 40s for my MBA.
I went back to school in my 50s to get certified as a coach.
And, now in my 60s, I’m considering going back for additional certifications for my coaching practice.
Yes, I’m an expert at “going to school.”
I’m an expert at having all the feelings and feeling all the feelings and having all the thoughts.
If you’re considering going back to school, you may have thoughts and feelings around it that create anxiety and doubt. The two main questions and doubts that come up for me and make me pause are:
Do I have the time?
Do I have the money?
It’s normal to be hesitant, but don’t let your thoughts and feelings hold you back from making a decision.
You don’t have to be 100% ready.
Begin by first opening yourself to the possibility of it. If not, you’ll fall into the rabbit hole of indecision – of “I don’t know what to do.”
Once you are open to the possibilities, you’ll be able to see clearly
- whether going back to school makes sense
- whether the time investment makes sense
- whether the financial investment makes sense
Ask yourself, “Why do I WANT to go back to school?”
Sometimes we THINK we must go to school because we SHOULD. Be clear on WHY you want to go to school. If you don’t have a clear WHY – you won’t be able to move forward with a decision. The time and financial investments won’t make sense.
Following are some prompts to help you figure out your WHY.
- Will going back to school assist in an upward movement in my career?
- Will going back to school give me the tools I need to improve my service to my clients?
- Will going back to school give me the tools I need to be more efficient in my career or at work?
- Will going back to school give me knowledge in a new field I’m interested in?
- What is my end goal?
Ultimately, a clearer vision of your path will guide you in making the decisions you need, to get you started on your journey.
But, even with a clearer vision and knowing WHY you want to go back to school – doubts and questions may come up anyway. This is normal. This is life. Pay attention to them, address them and continue moving forward.
Give yourself permission ahead of time to make the changes you need to make along the way.
It’s OK.
QUOTE OF THE WEEK
“It’s normal to be hesitant, but don’t let your thoughts and feelings hold you back from making a decision.”
Emy Fernandez, MBA, Life Coach
