3 Great Morning Habits to Help Jump Start a Productive Day!

You may have read the humorous saying by Glen Cook that- “Morning is wonderful. Its only drawback is that it comes at such an inconvenient time of day.”! For many night owls it surely holds true, as we stumble out of bed with just enough time to shower, get dressed and rush out the door as we steel ourselves for a long commute to our offices, schoolsor management colleges in Mumbai. While we may work hard to achieve dreams and do well at jobs or our studies, did you know that often the most productive and successful people are those that rise early and have a proper morning routine in place.

Getting a good start to the day can really jump start your entire day and have you feeling energetic, motivated and refreshed to face what is to come ahead. Here are a few things you should aim to incorporate in to your morning routine. Waking up earlier will definitely be worth it! -

Exercise – Working out every day is a must according to most medical professionals the world over. The benefits of exercise have been talked about over and over again and range from a whole host of physical benefits like keeping your weight in check, maintaining good cardiovascular health and much much more. It also plays a big part in keeping mental health at its best by improving your mood, helping you feel energized and happy and is a big stress buster. Few things are as good to boost productivity in a day like a good workout to start it off. Besides, we all know how easy it is to make excuses and skip out on exercise at the end of a long and tiring day. Scheduling a good workout right in the AM, whether it is an hour of yoga, a run in the park or a bike ride, can do wonders to make you fresh, alert and active and help keep lethargy at bay when you need to be productive. And after a challenging run or a killer set of squats, tackling studying or a file at work seems like a breeze! Also try and sneak in a few moments of meditating or just restful calm to center yourself before you head out.

Have a good breakfast – A lot of us run out the front door without even managing to finish a cup of tea and leave hassled and often hungry and cranky. A hearty and healthy breakfast is one of the best lifestyle habits you can incorporate and is essential for your health and well being. Even if you don't have time to sit down for a long drawn out breakfast try and at least have a healthy fiber filled bowl of cereal or a couple of fruits or a smoothie or sandwich to start the day.  A filling and healthy breakfast will give you a boost of energy and let you concentrate on tasks at hand rather than focussing on your empty and grumbling tummy. It will help tide you over till lunch time and prevent for a binge during lunch break, that often leaves you super lethargic and dull in the afternoons.

Chalk out your day – One of the keys to a productive and fulfilling day where you manage to finish all you need to do is to visualize and chalk out the day mentally or in a list if you prefer, at the start of your day. Plan out your day, what all you need to do and a workable schedule in manageable chunks for the entire day. This will help you feel a lot more confident and actually help you get things done, rather than running around all day frazzled and stressed out.

A good start can make for a much calmer and more productive day!

The Many Pros and Cons of Studying in Mumbai!

One of the most bustling cities in the world, Mumbai is not only a popular city for students in India but those looking for some international exposure as well. Scores of people migrate to this metro every year for academic and professional reasons and it is definitely a huge melting pot of races, classes, nationalities and more. Studying in a city like Mumbai comes with its own set of advantages and challenges and yet the experience can be unique, fun and extremely exciting. It is no wonder then that so many students from around the country come to this challenging city to do graduate and post graduate courses like MBAs in Mumbai.

MBA students in Mumbai

If you are considering moving here to further your academic and career goals, here are a few pros and cons to keep in mind -

Pros:

It is a centre for professional spheres – Mumbai is known as the financial centre of the country and you will find loads of large financial institutions, gigantic international MNCs and a plethora of companies with their bases here. It is buzzing with commercial activity of all kinds and even the retail sector is booming. Similarly, the media industry too is massive in this city with one of the biggest film industries, TV industry and other media institutions developed here as well as a highly evolving arts scenario. Therefore, for students looking to get into diverse fields, few other cities offer the sheer variety of career paths and opportunities that Mumbai does.

It is a cosmopolitan city – Much like New York city, Mumbai too is known for its cosmopolitan environment and populous. From the jet setters to the average Joe and every one in between, the citizens of this vast metropolis are diverse and a veritable melting pot. It contains a fascinating mix of cultures, religions and lifestyles that is amazing to experience and be a part off. More so because they all seem to co-exist in harmony for the most part!

You could have an enriched student life – Whether you come to do your under graduate studies or an advanced MBA in Mumbai, the student life is tough to beat. With a vast variety of recreational and educational options here, students have the chance to try, do and experience a number of things that many other smaller towns won't offer. Not only are there amazing places to eat and hang out at but also a rich theatre scene, a plethora of courses and classes catered to all aspects of life from spiritual well being to physical health and much, much more. Besides students also have  more access to intern-ships and job opportunities in plum companies and meet a number of students and mentors from diverse backgrounds and professional streams.

Cons:

It can be expensive – The popularity of living and studying in a city like Mumbai comes with a flip side. It can be prohibitively expensive with housing prices and student fees being among the highest in the country. Many students find that the costs of renting a house here, even on a sharing basis, is often one that can really be a burden to their budgets. And although there are relatively inexpensive options for recreation and leisure options as well, it is definitely not a city where your money takes you very far.

Commuting can be troublesome – Those coming from smaller cities and towns, are often shocked at  how vast Mumbai seems and how ever expanding the city limits are. Personal preferences as well as cost factors may leave you staying pretty far from where you are studying and some find the commuting with the traffic and sheer number of people a real hassle. A long commute often eats into your time and budget as well. 

Tips to Help You Manage Post Graduate Studies While Working

Post graduate studies often come at a time when you are itching to start work. When you are at an age where responsibilities start rearing their head, either personal or financial, or you simply want a head start on the career goals you have been dreaming about. People also often opt to go in for post graduate courses like part time and executive MBAs from MBA institutes in Mumbai once they have already started working in order to help them advance at the work place.

Working while continuing to study or picking it up again mid way has become fairly acceptable now days and often looked upon favorably by employers as well. While some work places may offer you more leeway where studying and time management is concerned, most do not. It can often become quite a task managing both studying and working in an efficient and productive manner. If you have a part time job it can be considerably easier, but add a full time job, responsibilities at home and a heavy course load with post graduate studies and it can get to be a lot.

Here are a few ways that might help you juggle the two worlds better -

Pick the right kind of course – Firstly, before you even begin applying to post graduate courses at MBA institutes inMumbai and other vocational courses, assess how much time you truly have to devote to studying in order to make the most of your course. If you must work, ensure that you find courses that are part time, online or even catered to working professionals such as yourself that offer more flexibility in terms of course load and time constraints. Although these kinds of courses may take longer than a full time one of the same stream, they are ideal for when you want to keep professional and academic aspirations burning at the same time. Flexibility is essential and consider courses and institutes that will help you with deferring opportunities in times of heavy work load as well as a class and semester schedule that is paced well.

MBA- Masters in Business Administration

Cut out on travel time – Studying in big cities usually means a large portion of your time per day simply goes in commuting from one place to the next. If possible find an institute offering the post graduate course you want within a reasonable distance from your work place or home. This will help you direct all that time you spend commuting to more worthwhile pursuits at school or the work place or simply to get some studying done. If moving is an option, consider relocating closer to where the two lie. Another option to cut down on travel time altogether is to opt for online courses that give you the freedom to work on your studies as and when you please.

Start your day earlier – Studying after a hard day at work is often a herculean task. You are often tired, grumpy and just disinterested by the time you finish your work for the day and yet have to tackle stuff at home too. Try and wake up earlier than you usually do and get jobs done before your day begins. Aim to finish at least some part of your homework or house work, whichever works better for you, in the early mornings before you head to work.

Be mentally prepared – Being prepared for the hard work to come goes a long way in helping you manage the stress later. Know that there will be times that you will have to sacrifice fun plans in lieu of your responsibilities and remember it is for the greater good. That being said once in a while carve out some 'me' time from your hectic schedule to regroup, re-motivate and unwind before you begin again.

An overview of an Executive MBA : Pros and Cons

A Masters in Business Administration in definitely a worthwhile academic pursuit. It is one of the most popular degrees with students out there today and one that has a range of specializations from a number of different kinds of schools. A number of students today opt to pursue an MBA program to further their educational aspirations as well as enhance their career prospects. But what about those professionals who have already joined their chosen professional stream and are looking to climb the rungs of a slippery corporate ladder? It becomes impossible to juggle a full time job as well as a full time course. This is where an Executive MBA can come in and fill the gap.

A Executive MBA program or an EMBA as it is also called, is a Masters degree that serves a large population base of working professionals. It is as its name suggests an MBA option for executives and professionals who have already started working and want to gain an additional degree or diploma in order to give them a boost at the work place. Many employers too today willingly fund an executive MBA course for talented employees who they feel have the potential to blossom and be a major asset to their companies. It is in fact a great option for lower and mid level employees who want to advance to the managerial level and higher. 

If you are considering opting for an EMBA, here are a few pros and cons you may want to consider:

Pros: 

• It shows initiative – Employers love a worker who has the drive and ambition to succeed and wants to take the next step to not only further their career prospects, but also be a more skilled employee for their company. Opting for a course of study even after you have already begun your journey on the career path shows that you are serious about your job and want to rise. Talk to your higher ups whether going in for such a program would be considered a boon for the company and whether you can adjust your schedule if needed for course work.

• It is not as intensive as a regular MBA – An EMBA program will likely be a part time one, a few days a week. The course materials may be more targeted toward a specific set of skills and subject matters rather than a very comprehensive full time regular MBA.

• It is a good networking tool – An executive MBA course will likely be attending by other working execs like yourself. Although you will find people from all streams, some find it a great way to meet like minded people and people working in the similar strata as themselves.

Cons:

• It might be too much to handle – Not everyone can handle a full time job and a post graduate course at the same time efficiently. Responsibilities at work as well as course work can get a bit overwhelming if you cannot manage your time well and give due diligence to both.

• It may not be what you need – Not all workplaces are that supportive or appreciative of their employees taking on additional responsibilities and courses. It may not even be necessary in order to be considered for that career raise. Talk to your higher ups and check if this is something that is worth your time, if that is the sole purpose that is driving you to take it on.

Pros and Cons of a Career in Journalism

Journalism is definitely one of the most popular careers out there in the media sphere. Whether you aim to be a news correspondent, a travel journalist, TV correspondent, sports writer or more the world of journalism is a vast and dynamic one. It is no wonder then that every year hordes of students opt for mass communication courses in Mumbai and other metros. 

Whether it is for print, television or online media, journalism requires a certain kind of person. You have to be up to date on what is happening around you, be quick on your feet and even quicker in your mind. It is not a stream or career choice for the lazy or dispassionate! Whether you plan to take on a course in journalism or want to jump right in with an internship, know fully well of what you are getting you into. 

Like most careers in media, portrayals in movies and sitcoms are always glamorous and stylish. Yes, it can be fun, sometimes glamorous (depending on where you work and what you do), but also gritty, tough and difficult. But usually exciting!

Pros - 

Meet different kinds of people – Unlike a regular 9 to 5 job where you meet the same office goers day after day, careers in journalism open you up to so many different kinds of people. Whether it is people you are covering for a news report, interviews, working with different people within the industry and more, you usually have the opportunity to meet and experience so much and in so much diversity. 

It is rarely monotonous – Challenging and often extremely varied, journalism offers a career stream that is rarely monotonous. Yes, you may have to pay your dues during the starting days when you may not be doing exactly the kind of range of work that you want, but it is far more interesting to people who can't stand the thought of doing the same desk job day in and day out. You may also get to travel and explore new places depending on your job.

Cons -

Too fast paced for some to handle – If you are the kind of person that takes comfort in routine and wants a steady job with regular hours, this career stream is definitely not made for you. It can sometimes be a job that has you on your feet and alert 24/7 and definitely does not come with regular or even healthy working and sleeping hours.

Extremely competitive – Like it was mentioned earlier there are loads of people studying at mass communication courses in Mumbai and other cities that are strong media centres. Therefore, competition is fierce and the choicest jobs much fewer. If you are looking to opt for journalism and expect a sure shot path to fame and seeing your names in the major by lines or to rake in the big bucks immediately, you may be disappointed. 

Like any other career option, do a little research before opting for a course to supplement your dream. But when you know you will settle for nothing else, do all you can and go for it!