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.