Planner

I've always loved to plan. Whether it was organizing my beads by project as a 10-year old, updating my to-read list at 15 or the ever-growing constant-companion to-do list that sits next to my computer today: I like to plan.
However, I'm not one of those 'together' people. And I love waking up on a Saturday morning and doing whatever pops into my head. I've tried living more like this, more 'carpe diem', but the truth is: I like to have a plan. When I don't, I can be overwhelmed with fears that I'm going to get stuck here, in what I'm doing now. I've been trying to just 'flow with it', but the time's come to make a decision.
Starting this month, I can take 3 classes a semester for free. Whatever I want. Completely free. Degree-seeking or not.
And while this is exciting and great....I need a plan. I don't intend to stay at this job (or in this town) forever and I want to make sure I use this free education in the best way possible.
And that's where I'm stuck. With a BA in French, despite lots of small-business management experience, I'm just not that hire-able. And when the rent check is due, I want to be hire-able, more than I want to take classes that are fun.

I've always wanted to have my own small business, so an MBA is the most sensible option, so that's what I'm most strongly considering (except oh! how I'd love to get a MFA in Fiber Arts!) Not only (in theory), will it prepare me for my dream job, but in the in-between time; between now and the day in the future when I own my shop, it makes me more hire-able.

So this is where my chart comes in.

It shows how much longer Hub will be in school (ie. how much longer I MUST stay full-time at this job) and I've charted my different options...how long each will take me.

What's freaking me out is that according to my numbers, even if I start as soon as possible (January)...I would be in school until...2012. Shortly before my 30th birthday.
So now, I see the cracks in my plan...do I want it the MBA this bad? Bad enough to dedicate the next 4 years of my life to it? Enough to spend the rest of my 20s working towards it?
If the question was: do I want the shop this bad, the answer is a resounding 'Yes!'...but an MBA hardly guarantees a successful business. For that matter, would it even help? Or just waste my time?

I've looked into some of the funner options; unfortunately, the school doesn't have anything near a writing program (English majors only study literature and criticism; only one Creative Writing class in the catalog!) and I can't get an MFA unless I have a BFA, which means getting another bachelor's degree that doesn't so much help with that hire-ability I'm worried about.

In making these plans, trying to sort out my options, I have to just accept: not everything can be planned. And then I need to pick myself up and plan the life I want while enjoying the life I have.