Can you afford to fail in life?
This Buddhist stupa in Boudha is an UNESCO Heritage site and one of my favorite spots in Kathmandu.

Can you afford to fail in life?

A few weeks ago, I wrote a LinkedIn article about going to Yale School of Management for my Master of Advanced Management [MAM] degree during the Covid19 pandemic and the ‘unique’ learning experience with hybrid mode and primarily virtual interactions. I shared my perspective,  and how I was navigating this new version of ‘going to school’. Whether you are working or in school, 2020/2021 has forced us all to be creative, resourceful, and ‘figure out the unknown’.

When life throws lemons ?? at us, we’re all equipped to make lemonades (or margaritas ??). But what if it throws a rock? Or maybe an avalanche? On Valentine’s Day, I got the news that my mom was hospitalized in Nepal with covid related complications ??…and instead of reviewing options for dinner, I needed to review options for my next steps. My family feared that since I am not vaccinated ??, I might be inviting fatal trouble by walking into a “covid home”. My loved ones were concerned about me being able to complete my MAM degree, something I had dreamed of for years and was months away from finishing. It is recruitment season, and I might disadvantage myself due to this change in plans. Over the next few days, I was still following my 'normal' routine: attending classes, having team meetings, working out, cooking…as if everything was normal. On the outside, I made every effort not to fail any course/obligation and on the inside, I felt like I was failing at life. Like a typical MBA, I was conducting a SWOT analysis of my life and trying to come up with the lowest-risk optimum solution ??. I was choosing my (perceived) future over my present and trying to put a PRICE on things that are PRICELESS. This reflection expedited our conversations and the family collectively decided that heading to Nepal was the timely and RIGHT decision.

Unfortunately, there is no handbook that gives you a blueprint in case of a ‘life emergency’, so I had to figure out all the things I needed to do next. Since I am a believer in transparency, communications, and showcasing your true self, I knew I had to inform all the stakeholders I am accountable to. I emailed the Assistant Dean, professors, classmates, and team members that I was planning to attend classes remotely from Nepal because of my circumstances. EVERYONE sent messages of positivity and support – my groups stepped up by suggesting more suitable meeting times and sharing my responsibilities. I had to cut down my involvement with Tsai CITY and Women in AI USA but instead of ‘What will we do now?’ I heard "Family First! Focus on what’s important". I was almost *surprised* by this reaction because I expected people to put themselves first and decode what my news meant for THEM. I am so very #grateful to this tribe of peers and supporters. ????

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Armed with a suitcase full of hand sanitizers, masks, and gloves, my sister and I embarked on the 24-hour journey to Nepal ??. Dealing with paperwork related to PCR tests and approval letters added additional stress, but we made it home. What has my week here looked like? BRUTAL, to say the least. There was no time for jetlag or transition as we dove right into the epicenter. My day comprises of hospital visits (occasionally wearing full PPE gear, see the blurry selfie) to see my mom in the morning and then classes at night. Nepal is 10 hours 45 mins ahead of New Haven (EST), which means my ‘school day’ goes from 7 pm to 2 am on certain days and 9 pm to 7 am on others. Instead of sleeping through the night, I sleep in pockets throughout the day. Instead of breakfast or lunch, I have generic meals (mostly of momos/dumplings or thali like the image below) to reduce confusion. Occasionally, I lose track of the day/time and scheduling meetings feels like a tougher mental exercise than it should be. Even Zoom’s ‘beauty’ feature won’t hide my deep under-eye circles. ????

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This experience has made me understand the direct and indirect effects of covid even more. My heart goes to my MAM classmates that were unable to get visas and travel when the pandemic started and had to either take courses from their home country or defer their admission by a term. I am lucky that I didn’t have to worry about immigration issues and could just pack my bags and leave. Having been on the other side until a few years, I fully understand the extra layer of complications visa issues add. Your life choices are made even more complex when you have to deal with such restrictions.

The pandemic has also created havoc on a massive scale. So many people have lost their loved ones or their jobs. Individuals and businesses are suffering and scrambling to survive. While the experience has showcased the resilience of people, cities, and nations, it has also brought tremendous pain and chaos. Moving forward, I do hope we re-adjust our priorities and make space for both our PERSONAL and PROFESSIONAL lives. I hope we keep showing our authentic selves even without Zoom revealing the realities of homeschooling and multitasking. Finally, I hope we prepare for the unexpected avalanches that life throws our way. ?? Talk about what-if scenarios. Have difficult conversations. Delaying such dialogue does NOT delay time, it merely gives you a false sense of reality.

On an optimistic note, my mom is recovering, albeit at a snail’s pace. Even in crisis mode, I’m having the best time bonding with my sisters. I managed to join the first session of Tsai CITY’s Innovation from the Inside on #publicprivatepartnerships and had such a fun time getting to know our diverse student cohort. I haven’t missed an assignment, yet. But in the worst-case scenario, you can fail a course or two. But can you really afford to fail in life?



Alice M. Chacon, MBA

Product Strategy Leader | Marketing & Loyalty Expert | Digital Innovation Champion

3 年

Thank you for sharing! Sending best wishes for your family ????

Bipasha Ghosh

AI Advisor I Strategist I Educator I Speaker I ex-CNN, BBC, Reuters & NBCUniversal. “She demystifies AI for companies, C-suites, classrooms and communities.”

3 年

I am so glad your mom is doing better Preeti Adhikary. You are such an inspiration. You got this. Good luck with everything and let me know if I can be of any help.

Jazz (Jaspreet) Bhathal

FP&A | Data Analytics | Pricing Strategies | Sales Compensation

3 年

You have always taken life's challenges in a stride, and I have only seen you get stronger. At this moment, being a daughter comes first, and very soon, you will be back in Board rooms somewhere. Keeping your mom in my prayers!

Ariana Smetana

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3 年

So much truth and wisdom is gained when you’re true to yourself, know your priorities have the courage to follow them. Glad your mom is recovering and with your love, and determination to be there will bring you and her peace. Things will fall in place as they are meant to and we’ll be stronger after CV has taught us abt priorities. Looking forward to reconnecting with you when back with #womeninai

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