I did not get into the nano MBA program. Yesterday afternoon I received an email informing me that I was not selected for the Nano MBA program. I was disappointed. Whenever you pour your heart into something and it does not work out you are bound to feel let down. I had no doubt that it was going to be very tough getting in. The competiton was steep and of course many other optimists like myself were hoping to get a piece of Seth Godin's mind. Spending some quality time with the man who tends to inspire, educate and explain chaotic world in a very simple way would have been a dream. I am sorry I did not get in. I will try again if again comes around. Till then i will keep writing.


The email from Seth and Ishita.


Thank you. I am inspired.

Wow. More than inspired. Over a thousand extraordinary people applied...

Thanks so much for taking the time to apply to my 5-day program. I’m overwhelmed by the response, in numbers, sure, but also in the sheer quality of what came in.

There are people all over the world who are standing up for what they believe in and choosing to do work that matters. You are in very good company, and reading through the hundreds and hundreds of applications was both overwhelming and cause for optimism.

Of course, choices have to be made, and unfortunately, we couldn’t choose everyone. I hope you won’t take it personally, or as a comment on your work, but we’re unable to find room for you this time. I know that in narrowing this down to some finalists we have made some obvious mistakes, and missed people who would have been perfect, people who no doubt will achieve great things and brag about how we didn't pick them… can't wait till that happens!

Any selection process, by its nature, is flawed. This one especially so, because there’s limited information and too many good choices. So, forgive me for not being able to make it work. Unfortunately, we're too swamped to reconsider any of the decisions.

Thanks again for the important work you’re doing and for your enthusiasm in applying. Keep making a difference.


Seth (and Ishita!)


p.s. As much as it sucks getting rejected I must say this is the best rejection email that i have ever received. When I first read the email I almost felt good about myself. And then it sunk in.

NOTE: Photo is courtesy of Paul Idasz

Nano-MBA date change

I can't believe that Seth Godin has changed the interview date to better accommodate the common-folk like myself (that is if I am fortunate enough to get selected for an interview). Instead of conducting interviews on April 17th, he has decided to re-schedule them on May 14th. This change will allow potential candidates to only take one trip to NYC vs. two trips. Mr. Godin also added that for those people that who get selected for interviews but have"their heart set" on the original date he would accommodate that too.

How incredible would it be if all organizations/corporations/entrepreneurs/not-for-profit thought like that: What can I do to make things better for my customer even if it costs me time, money, extra effort?

I am still in awe because things like this rarely happen. Disagree? Think about the last time something was offered to enrich you as a person, for FREE, and on top of that you are notified that to make things easier/better/more convenient for you an adjustment has been made? In addition if you prefer the previous conditions that can be accommodated too!

That's what i thought.

Seth Godin

Seth Godin's blog in one that I follow on a regular basis. I got to see him in Waterloo last year at a Communitech event and I fell in love with everything he said. There is no doubt that Seth Godin is an incredible speaker but what he has to say is so simple yet so profound. And he delivers it in such a modest, yet confident way that you have no choice but to believe every word he says. I was mesmerized.

We have a online discussion board at my work where we share ideas, stories and info about the work we do. To provide some inspiration i often share seth's views on various matters from his blog. You cannot imagine my excitement when I went to visit his blog for my daily mind therapy and noticed that no other but Seth Godin himself was offering a 5-day nano-MBA seminar in May. I had tears in my eyes. An opportunity to spend 5 days with my guru, daily muse and most amazing man alive. The opportunity of a lifetime.
So, just so you all know I have to do everything I can to get this opportunity. Application is due March 31 so the next 6 days will be dedicated to ensuring I have done everything possible to present why i am a worthy candidate.

Hence the blog.

I am not going to lie. I have wanted a blog forever now but something about putting my life, my thoughts, my opinions out there for the world to see and judge was preventing me from actually doing it. I am not afraid of difference of opinions nor do i shy away from a good conflict. There are very few things I like more than a good, heart wrenching turn-your-world-upside-down debate. Where would we be without discussion and exchange of ideas?? But yet I was still afraid. It's one thing to have a debate and share ideas with people you know but online for the ENTIRE WOLD WIDE TO SEE? I needed a push and a reason.

So thank you Seth. Thank you for once again, through your written word, giving me the courage, the inspiration and the wisdom to do the right thing. Thank you for a new beginning.

p.s. for those who live under a rock please check out: http://sethgodin.typepad.com/

p.p.s. I already have a MBA. But this is more of a reason to do the nano-MBA. The intention of any quality MBA program is to expand your thinking and help you think outside the box. See problems in new ways. Understand other people so you can work with them more effectively. Who can't use more of that?