Last Lecture

I have been pondering what to say or share as a last lecture. I reviewed my blog posts over the semester and would like to share some the things that stood out to me. I want to begin by stating, I really did not want to take this course, and I did not feel it would have value to me since I was not planning on becoming an entrepreneur. However, I quickly found there is great value in this course, it has caused me to ponder and reflect on my life and the legacy I want to leave. It has helped me define more of what I want to contribute to the world around me and how I want to define my career. The process has helped me set guardrails to prevent discord and missteps along the way.

Here are some excerpts from my blog posts over the semester that I want to share as advice to anyone who is thinking of becoming an entrepreneur. I found strength from the readings and exercises I did throughout the semester that were helpful.

1. Seek to understand.
2. Love the plateau.
3. Do not give up.
4. Love what you do.
5. Opportunities are limitless.
6. Believe in yourself.

Seek to Understand

I really enjoyed Covey’s 7 Habits. The one thing that I want to better incorporate in my life is Habit 5; seek first to understand, then to be understood. Covey stated, “The key to good judgment is understanding…When people have a problem and you really listen to understand them, you’ll be surprised how quickly and how fully they will open up to you… Seeking to understand requires consideration, seeking to be understood takes courage.” I will need to learn to be a better listener and focus on the individual, not on myself.

Love the plateau

Leonard from the book Mastery, helped me understand the need for plateaus and what we can gain from enjoying them. He stated, “The path of mastery, exists only in the present. You can see it, hear it, smell it, and feel it. To love the plateau is to love the eternal now, to enjoy the inevitable spurts of progress and the fruits of accomplishment, then serenely to accept the new plateau that waits just beyond them. To love the plateau is to love what is most essential and enduring in your life.”

This I will remember and implement in my life. I want to live and enjoy the plateaus in my life.

Do not give up

I read an article by Jeffery R Holland, then President of BYU, he stated, “I am asking you this morning not to give up “for ye are laying the foundation of a great work.” That “great work” is you—your life, your future, the very fulfillment of your dreams. That “great work” is what, with effort and patience and God’s help, you can become. When days are difficult or problems seem unending, I plead with you to stay in the harness and keep pulling. You are entitled to “eat the good of the land of Zion in these last days,” but it will require your heart and a willing mind. It will require that you stay at your post and keep trying.” Again my heart is touched, I am lifted strengthen through these words.

As we continue to grow and learn over the next several weeks; I know there will be struggles as I learn new things. I am grateful for growth and learning, I will press forward with faith, determination and grit if necessary in my journey to “Become.”

Love what you do

Loving what you do is a theme among entrepreneurs. It will drive you to succeed and strive to improve the business.

I read Isaiah 32:17 “The work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance forever.”

This struck a chord with me, what you do for a living should also align itself with who you are and the goals and desires you want to achieve. In doing so you will find peace and assurance.

Opportunities are limitless

Thomas S. Monson stated, “This is a wonderful time to be living here on earth. Our opportunities are limitless. While there are some things wrong in the world today, there are many things right, such as teachers who teach, ministers who minister, marriages that make it, parents who sacrifice, and friends who help.

We can lift ourselves, and others as well, when we refuse to remain in the realm of negative thought and cultivate within our hearts an attitude of gratitude.”

These words give me hope, we have opportunities to teach, minister, sacrifice and lift others. We can replace negative thoughts and doubts with hope and gratitude for the things we can do and opportunities that are limitless.

Believe in yourself

I learned from Larry North that you must believe in yourself and the things you are capable of doing. In finding our purpose in life we must trust in ourselves, believe in ourselves and strive to find what we can do to make the world a better place. It is possible to incorporate all these things and earn a living at the same time.

My advice be true to who you are and the person you want to become.

Finding Joy

Thomas S. Monson stated, “This is a wonderful time to be living here on earth. Our opportunities are limitless. While there are some things wrong in the world today, there are many things right, such as teachers who teach, ministers who minister, marriages that make it, parents who sacrifice, and friends who help.

We can lift ourselves, and others as well, when we refuse to remain in the realm of negative thought and cultivate within our hearts an attitude of gratitude.”

These words give me hope, we have opportunities to teach, minister, sacrifice and lift others. We can replace negative thoughts and doubts with hope and gratitude for the things we can do and opportunities that are limitless.

I learned from Larry North that you must believe in yourself and the things you are capable of doing. In finding our purpose in life we must trust in ourselves, believe in ourselves and strive to find what we can do to make the world a better place. It is possible to incorporate all these things and earn a living at the same time. There are a few things I want to improve upon over the next few months:

         Stop complaining

         See the positive

         Express gratitude

         Find balance

         Better understand my purpose

I believe as I work on these things I will come to better understand myself and my purpose in life. I am at a crossroads, my children are grown and no longer need my assistance on a daily basis. I serve in church and my community, however, something is lacking. I am ready to make a change and do more, the question is “What is more?” I had hoped to find the answer to this during this semester, I am still seeking and I will continue to apply the principles I learned. I know with time, reflection, prayer and work I will find the answer I am seeking. How can serve my fellow man, make a difference and earn a living? I love serving and lifting others, this is where I find joy.

Week 11 Journal Entry

Becoming

 I read the book “Hero’s Journey” there are nine steps to become a hero, step 7 made me ponder and reflect on how I am doing on my journey to become. While we are working to better understand ourselves and creating a life of purpose it is important to remember to keep balance in our lives. Rest when it is appropriate and needed. Sandefer and Sirico quoted a theologian Josef Pieper, “A sense of ongoing rest can allow you to hold things more lightly, to worry less, to be more open and flexible. This contemplative, relaxed attitude helps the hero remain calm even when he enters the storm.” There is value in having balance in our lives.

This week I read an article by Charles Handy, “What’s a Business for?” Harvard Review. I have read the article 3 times and I am slowly understanding what the article is about. I am supposed to answer three questions about the article, and I am not sure I can. I do not know if I am on overload from school or if my brain is on vacation. I will give this my best attempt, but, please do not judge me from my responses. I am tired, it is the end of the semester and I need to begin preparations for finals.

Why are virtue and integrity so vital to an economy?

At first glance this is an easy question to answer, however, there is more to it than honesty. Mr. Handy stated, “Markets rely on rules and laws, but those rules and laws in turn depend on truth and trust. Conceal truth or erode trust, and the game becomes so unreliable that no one will want to play. The markets will empty and share prices will collapse…” Integrity and virtue are hard to come by in today’s society, it is necessary in order for businesses to succeed and markets to grow.

What is the real justifications for the existence of business?

“The purpose of a business, in other words, is not to make a profit, full stop. It is to make a profit so that the business can do something more or better. That “something” becomes the real justification for the business.”

Two solutions proposed by Handy that you agree with? Why?

“Business needs to take the lead in areas such as environmental and social sustainability instead of forever letting itself be pushed onto the defensive.” I find this statement interesting, on one hand how can they take the lead when in most cases they are unaware of the issue and on the other hand most changes are forced upon them before they have an opportunity to create a solution to the issue.

“If the contemporary business, with its foundation of human assets, is to survive, it will have to find better ways to protect people from the demands of the jobs it gives them. Neglecting the environment may drive away customers, but neglecting people’s lives may drive away key members of the workforce. Here, again, it would help for companies to see themselves as communities whose members have individual needs as well as individual skills and talents. They are not anonymous human resources.

More corporate democracy and better corporate behavior will go a long way to improve the current business culture in the eyes of the public, but unless these changes are accompanied by a new vision of the purpose of business, they will be seen as mere palliatives. It is time to raise our sights above the purely pragmatic.”

I am not sure I agree with this, there has to be integrity on both sides. When did it become corporates responsibility to solve employee’s problems? An individual joins a company knowing what is expected of them, when they decide to change the situation, for example, by having a child, why should the corporation make all of the changes for the employee such as accommodating them for months of paid leave?

I realize I was supposed to find two things I agreed with Charles Handy, I found that a challenge to do. I am not sure I agree with his analysis. Is there greed in the corporate world? Yes! Is the corporate world the enemy? That is a good question, I do not believe it is, there are many that are unethical, however, there are more that create great things and do a lot good in the world.

Create Meaning

I read an article by Stephen Gibson, Attitude on Money. He offers interesting insights on how he views money and it purpose in our life. I feel it is necessary to understand money and how we can use it to either benefit us or bring to our own ruin, through wanting more. The following three questions were asked of me after I read the article.

What is your attitude toward money?

When I was young our family did not have enough money to meet our needs. I recognize the value of money and the importance of begin generous to those around me. I see money as a tool that will help me accomplish the Lord’s work and meet the needs of my family.

How can your view of money affect the way you live?

The view of money can influence how you spend. If you choose to be wise and monitor your spending; prepare a budget and stay within that budget, you will find that your needs will be met. If you spend less than you make you will create a life that is financially stable, at the time saving money for the future.

We can enjoy life and many of the pleasures it offers if we live within our means and are responsible for the blessings we are given. Brigham Young stated, "...if we are the people of God, we are to be the richest people on the earth....I am ashamed to see the poverty that exists among the Latter-day Saints. They ought to be worth millions and millions." JD 17:43-44 there is so much we can do for others, through service and donations. When we are responsible with our money we will have extra to share with others.

What rules are recommended for prospering?

So if you want to prosper:

Rule 1. Seek the Lord and have hope in him

Rule 2. Keep the commandments that includes the temporal ones, tithing and fast offerings.

Rule 3. Think about money and plan how you can become self-reliant.

Rule 4. Take advantage of chances for learning so you will not be ignorant of these matters. Education, as President Hinckley has taught us, is the Key to Opportunity.

Rule 5. Learn the laws upon which the blessings of wealth are predicated.

Rule 6. Do not send away the naked, the hungry, the thirsty or the sick or those who are held captive.

I agree with these rules and I am following some of them now, I will incorporate the others and look for opportunities cloth the naked, feed the hungry and the thirsty and offer support and help to those who are sick and held captive by their illness. I will try to serve my fellow man as the Savior taught.

 This week I have been impressed by some of the readings that were assigned. I will post some things that stood out to me and touched my heart.

Thomas S. Monson, Formula for Success:

Truth: 

Fill your mind with truth; second, fill your life with service; and third, fill your heart with love.

 I’d like to suggest that when we search for truth, we search among those books and in those places where truth is most likely to be found. I’ve often referred to a simple couplet: “You do not find truth groveling through error. You find truth by searching the holy word of God.” 

This is a day when time is precious. This is a time when we cannot afford not to be engaged in an earnest search for truth. May we fill our minds with truth.

Service:

Fill your life with service. From the Book of Mormon we learn, “When ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God” (Mosiah 2:17). 

Love:

I thank God for his love in sharing his Only Begotten Son in the flesh, even Jesus Christ, for you and me. I thank the Lord for the love he demonstrated by providing his life, that we might have life eternal.

You may recall that Jesus filled his mind with truth; Jesus filled his life with service; Jesus filled his heart with love.

Life Liberty and the pursuit of happiness (a cautionary tale)

A Hero’s Journey requires you to find your most precious gifts and to use them doing something you enjoy in the service of something larger than yourself.

“Gratitude amplifies the savoring and appreciation of the good events gone by, and rewriting history by forgiveness loosens the power of the bad events to embitter (and actually can transform bad memories into good ones).”

“How can I be happy?” is the wrong question. “How can I create something meaningful for others?” is the right question because it helps others and will change you in a profound way.

Peace and Assurance

This week I interviewed Kyle Tillett owner of American Business Solutions. I enjoyed learning from him about how he began his business, the challenges and triumphs. It was fascinating to learn of the process he went through. Kyle graduated with a degree in Finance, he owns a computer consulting business. I found it interesting that having a degree in Finance he still struggled with putting financial things into place. He learned that he needed legal guardrails to protect his business and customers from employees. He also learned that he could have grown a quicker pace and done so with ease if he had been more flexible in his business model. He also learned the value of organization and preparation of the simple things in business.

The thing I took a way from Kyle was his love for his business and the desire to service his customers in a way that meets their needs and exceeds expectations. He helped me understand the value of staying focused on the core part of the business and not getting distracted with new ventures.

Loving what you do is a theme among entrepreneurs. It will drive you to succeed and strive to improve the business.

I read Isaiah 32:17 “The work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance forever.”

This struck a chord with me, what you do for a living should also align itself with who you are and the goals and desires you want to achieve. In doing so you will find peace and assurance.

Lead by Example; Lead with Vision; Lead with Love.

As I am about halfway through the semester I have been overwhelmed, by assignments; relieved as I continue to do well in my class; and inspired by things I have read, understood and applied.

The following are things that inspire me this week. I want to be an active follower of Christ, a disciple of Christ and a champion of good. I understand that my actions, thoughts and decisions make a difference in the outcome of what I want to achieve. I want to continue to lead my family and conduct any business that I do with kindness, love and unselfish devotion. I will continue to read, learn and search for ways to improve in these desires.

David A. Bednar, President BYU-I, August 2004

A disciple of Christ is one who is following and learning to be like Christ—learning to think, to feel, and to act as He does. He or she is striving to gain “. . . the mind of Christ” (1 Corinthians 2:16). Becoming a true disciple of the Savior and following His ways are the most demanding learning objectives we can ever strive to achieve. No other discipline compares with His curriculum in either requirements or rewards. Discipleship demands the total transformation of a person by putting off the natural man and becoming a saint through the Atonement of Christ the Lord (see Mosiah 3:19). A disciple is one who loves the Lord and serves Him with all of his or her heart, might, mind, and strength.

The word preparation implies the process of making or getting ready; the previous putting or setting in order for any action or purpose (Oxford English Dictionary On-Line, second edition, 1989). And one of the common uses of the word center connotes a point from which things and influences originate or emanate (Oxford English Dictionary On-Line, second edition, 1989). Taken together, these three words, disciple preparation center, suggest to me a place in which followers of the Master learn and are set in order and are made ready—and from which their influence flows into the world.

Kim B. Clark, President BYU-I, December 2007

The call to be a disciple-leader is a call to minister and to serve.  It is a call to lead as Christ leads.  It is leadership with a small “L”—the kind of leadership that builds and lifts and inspires through kindness and love and unselfish devotion to the Lord and His work.  It is the kind of leadership that we need at every level of every kind of organization in the world and in every ward and stake in the Church.  It is the kind of leadership you will need to build an eternal family.

As I read about General Calixto Garcia I was impressed with his desire to serve his country and follow through. I was touched that he strapped the pouch over his heart, signifying to me that it was urgent and important and nothing would stop him from achieving his mission. I am learning from his example of how to follow through and accomplish what is needed without hesitation.

Acton Foundation

It was 1899. President William McKinley needed to deliver an urgent message to General Calixto Garcia, the leader of the insurgents in America’s war against Spain. But Garcia was lost somewhere deep inside the mountain vastness of Cuba. “There’s a fellow by the name of Rowan who will find Garcia if anyone can,” someone told the president. So McKinley summoned Colonel Andrew Rowan. Rowan took McKinley’s letter, “sealed it in an oil-skin pouch, strapped it over his heart, in four days landed by night off the coast of Cuba from an open boat, disappeared into the jungle and in three weeks came out on the other side of the island, having traversed a hostile country on foot, and delivered his letter to Garcia.” Notice that Rowan didn’t equivocate. He didn’t ask McKinley for detailed instructions. He didn’t hire a consultant or assemble a task force. He simply took the letter and delivered it to Garcia.

Good Things To Come

The readings and videos were much needed this week. As we enter the 7^th week of school, I am feeling overwhelmed and inadequate to complete what is required of me. I especially enjoyed the video of good things to come, by Jeffery Holland. It was a story from his life and lessons he learned as he was traveling with his young family across the county. The moral of the video is trust “trust in God and believe in good things to come.” I needed to hear this today, I am grateful for the words of the Apostles and Prophets, the direction that comes from listening and following their counsel.

I also watched a video from Taylor Richards, who reminded us that you can do anything when the Lord is your partner. Just like Nephi, we can move forward with confidence and strength in doing great things.

 I read an article by Jeffery R Holland, then President of BYU, he stated, “I am asking you this morning not to give up “for ye are laying the foundation of a great work.” That “great work” is you—your life, your future, the very fulfillment of your dreams. That “great work” is what, with effort and patience and God’s help, you can become. When days are difficult or problems seem unending, I plead with you to stay in the harness and keep pulling. You are entitled to “eat the good of the land of Zion in these last days,” but it will require your heart and a willing mind. It will require that you stay at your post and keep trying.” Again my heart is touched, I am lifted strengthen through these words.

As we continue to grow and learn over the next several weeks; I know there will be struggles as I learn new things. I am grateful for growth and learning, I will press forward with faith, determination and grit if necessary in my journey to “Become.”