Entry 14- The Last Lecture

At the close of this semester, I would like to share some words of wisdom that I have learned form my entrepreneur class. :)

Being an entrepreneur is hard! I have been learning that but also experiencing it as well. I have made the first step in my journey by becoming a personal wellness coach that lets me be my own boss. I have my own hours and I get what I put into it. That is the hard part. You ONLY get what you put into it. The hardest thing for me has been disciplining myself to work hard even without a boss above me.

The thing that I want to stress is that most entrepreneurs do not become millionaires, but if you put in the effort, you can be successful. Something else that is very important is that you go in not thinking that you will make a whole ton of money, but with the mind set of wanting to help as many people as you can. When that happens, the money will follow. People know when you are not sincere. So if you will be sincere and honestly care about the people you work with or for, good things happen. Better things than focusing on yourself and personal gain. You will need to worry about finances a bit, but it should not be the main focus.

Something else I would like to stress is the importance of the Savior in your entrepreneurial journey. It's not just a great idea, it is critical! I know that I cannot become the best I can be without him. I know that if I have a worthy goal and I work as hard as I can, then He will make up the difference and help me accomplish the things that I desire. It is so important to keep Him close in your life because the road of an entrepreneur is a very hard one. The way is rocky and uncertain, sometimes mountains will need to be climbed and rivers forded. So keep Him involved in every step of the way.

The next thing I want to say to you is don't do something you will not enjoy. If it is just about the money, then don't do it. Find something that you love to do, that you would do for free, and find a way that you could earn money from it. Because you will have the incredible chance to do whatever you want and no one can tell you what to do, do something you love!

So, in closing, make sure that if you decide to become an entrepreneur that you are prepared and willing to discipline yourself. Make sure you love what you are doing. Make sure you let God help you. Strive to help others. And know that it will be a hard journey.

Read lots of personal development books :)

Entry 13- Lighten Your Load

"I cast this burden of_____________to my Savior with love and gratitude. I ask instead to be filled with Christ's healing power."

This is a sentence that I found in a part of the readings for this week. I really loved it! So for you, stick a word in the blank that you feel has been a challenge for you. For me, I am going to put inadequacy and fear in the blank.  I decided that those two things have been what's been holding me back from excelling in my business. I know I still have a lot to learn and it will take lots of practice but I love this sentence because I know that if I put my trust in my Savior than He will be able to help me over come the things that I struggle with.

What is holding you back form being the very best you can be? 

I have been learning that sins, fear, feelings of doubt, and comparing to others are some things that hold me back from becoming the very best I can be! I feel like this butterfly that can't fly away because there is a rock strapped to her back. I want to find a way out of this trapped mindset. I think the answer is Christ. I hope that you can discover a way out as well. 

Just some ideas that I learned form videos this week...

what's my story?-don't try and figure out what others want me to say...do what I want.
-first job isn't that important, most stay in it less than a year.
-generalize skills, specialized skill become irrelevant sometimes
-its not a bad thing to start in a big company and then start backing small companies.
-learn something that you can leverage.

Entry 12

For this entry I am going to reflect on this semester. So, this may not be a very organized entry :)

Day 1:$1000, put in savings for mission
Day 2: $2000, put half in mission savings, other half used to purchase my products for my business so I can have them on hand to sell.
Day 3: $4000, put half in mission savings, use $2000 for getting a car and my laptop for school.
Day 4: $8000, put half in mission savings, use $2000 for my service trip this summer to India, use the remaining for paying for school and rent/books for spring semester.
Day 5: $16,000, put one more $1000 in my mission savings. What I want to do is every time I eat out, give at least a $50 tip for my waitress. Just for fun and to brighten her day. 12 times a year that might be $600. I would start up gymnastics classes again. So that might be, I don't know, $80/ month. equaling $960 a year. With the remaining $13,000 I would start my vacation savings, and my play money. Such as I am going to travel the world, go on a backpacking trip around Wales, go hot air-ballooning, and ride the Disney cruise. I also am going to start giving to several charities, so I could keep using that money for a while.
Day 6: $32,000, now it is time to help my family get out of debt. When I do that then I will get my dad his truck. So, that covers that day..
Day 7: $64,000, now I can get my mom her dream car. And put more money into savings.
Day 8: $128,000, ok so now I am going to invest in something such as the stock market or renting out homes or something that my financial adviser counsels me to do!
Day 9: Honestly I could keep going for a lot of days, because I can start saving for my family and children, and travel the world some more helping the needy and homeless in 3rd world countries..

During one of the writing activities, we discussed if and how it was possible to create a poverty-free world. I said it wouldn't be possible in this life until the Millennium (when Christ comes again). But I think it is possible to create a poverty- free community, or town. I think that for those who are struggling financially that we could help them find jobs, or teach them how to creatively earn money. It also calls for a lot more service and unity. When someone is struggling those how are able should help them out!

Random other thought: A past assignment told a story of how a man's wife divorces him and takes his child because he is too caught up in fulfilling his career. So, If I was that man, then I would quit my job and move closer to my son so I could still help in raising him. I wouldn't get resentful of my wife because I would recognize that I was wrong. This situation calls for a lot of humility.

So, these are a few things I have been learning over the past couple weeks. There ya go!

Entry 11-Money and Prosperity

Here are a few things I learned about money this week:

• Money is not good or bad
• Give a % of income to charity
• Money reveals the person we are
• Money makes good men better
• We are supposed to be self-reliant 

I also learned the formula for being prosperous:

First-keep the commandments and obey God

Next-learn so we are not ignorant

Then- give to the poor, obey laws of wealth

Last-obtain riches and learn about money and plan to be self reliant
Lastly-Do not let money sleep, invest

In the Parables that Christ taught in the scriptures I learned four important things to keep in mind about success.

• be prepared
• be productive
• be faithful
• be fruitful

Wealth and prosperity doesn't come to those who sit around, they come to those who are actively working on improving themselves and continue to learn and grow. I learned these three things in a talk from the reading this week:

1. Fill mind with truth

2.Fill life with service

3. Fill Heart with love
And that will ensure that you have a productive successful life. Note: You may not become rich from doing all this but you sure will become self-reliant at the least. Be able to provide for yourself and family.

Here's a quote:

"That which ye selfishly keep, you lose. That which ye willingly give, you keep." When we are willing to give of our substance to the poor and needy and also to tithing, we receive blessings far more than we gave, whether in material goods or spiritual, non-tangible blessings. 

If I want to be successful in my business I have to take the time to become money smart. I can't sit back and "hope" it happens, because it won't. Money is something that I have always struggled understanding and investing and things, so I feel like this will be a challenge for me as I grow more successful in my business and career. But I have learned that it is possible! 

Entry 10

I found it interesting when learning about the 20% rule that Google has with its employees. Apparently they let their employees have 20% of their time to work on whatever their hearts desire.They found that when they gave them freedom, great things were accomplished. They worked on their dreams, and new ideas arose and people were creating new things. I think that it is important dedicate time throughout my week to working on the random things I love to do. Great things will happen for me. I know that when I spend time painting or playing my flute that I feel happier so it must work!
I have been experienceing the Dip that we learned about in a book we read. This Dip is very challenging for me. I have been learning that this Dip for me is very personal rather than about my business per say. For me I am learning that I have slowly been losing my ease at talking to people. I was sitting in the plasma center waiting to donate and I had all of these people sitting around me waiting to donate as well. I realized that I was scared to start a conversation. All I had to say was, "Hey, have you ever heard of Herbalife?" and then I could have talked about my coaching business. But I didn't. I am in a Dip right now. I have been slipping into depression in addition to that and I am struggling being motivated every day to even get my school work done. How do I get out of this Dip?!
Let us hope that Thanksgiving break helps me rejuvenate.  I really do want to get past this Dip because I know that the rewards on the other side are so worth it!

Entry 9-Building a Team

"Tempting as it may be, it is impossible to build an effective organization without delegating important tasks to talented and capable people.Its the only way to make a grand vision a reality"

"That means the only way to build such an organization is to attract , challenge and maintain as many people like Colonel Rowen as possible."
The greatest challenges always come from within

1. Accept the mission and get started!
2. Be curious
3. immediately sketch out a plan
4. If you need resources, don't be afraid to ask.
5.Enlist help when needed
6. Report back and show your work, get feed back
7. Underpromise and over deliver
8.expect to make (small) mistakes
9.put results before schmoozing
10. Replace the voices in your head with positive action.

Building a World-class Organization
1.Make the mission clear and Meaningful
2. Set unreasonably high standards
3.higher leaders who know how to get the job done.
4. Make incentives for specific goals
5. Take time to coach those who have proven they can execute.



So above are some of the notes from the readings that I recorded that stuck out to me. Now we shall talk about them.

The main things that stuck out to me had to do with building a team and being the type of person that others can rely on. This meant a lot to me because I feel that since I have not found any business partners yet, my business has struggled getting off the ground. I know that if I worked a lot harder it would definitely improve but I have learned that I definitely work best when I have a support team and partners in trade. I do have my up-line, but I feel like if I can use some of the techniques I have been taught to gain partners that my confidence in my abilities will soar higher.
Another thing that stuck out to me is asking for help. Sometimes I am not going to know all of the answers. What I liked in the readings is that it is ok not to know everything. It mentioned delegating. That is a huge thing for me. I feel like that is one of my weaknesses. I know that if I was to start delegating more I would see greater results. I learned how to ask for help and what to look for in potential business partners.

Entry 8-Fears

It is as true now as when Solomon said it that “where there is no vision, the people perish” (Proverbs 29:18). 

This week I learned about sticking to the journey, no matter how long it is. I also learned that vision and setting goals is everything in pursuit of one's dreams. 

So, I went to a conference about becoming a Disciple Leader today. I really learned a lot about myself at it. During a part of one of the sessions, we wrote about our fears and weaknesses that we felt were holding us back from accomplishing our dreams. I discovered that I fear more things than I thought...I guess I am struggling with being ok with not knowing everything. The future is so uncertain and that is a scary thing...I wish that I could know for sure that everything will work out ok. I fear failure; not accomplishing what I say I am going to. 

But...I also learned that if I work my hardest and follow my goals that I can reach my goals. I have a vision, I know where I want to end up. I feel that if I make sure I don't lose sight of my goals, that I can overcome my fears that have been holding me back.

Entry 7-Be True to yourself-Gorden B. Hinckley

"When it comes to the moral law, you know what is expected of you. If you find yourself slipping under the pressure of circumstances, discipline yourselves. Stop before it is too late. You will be forever grateful that you did".-Gordon B. Hinckley
I love the talk by Pres. Hinckley about being true to yourself. To me that is what being an entrepreneur is all about. Finding your passion and being to true to that. It is also all about staying worth of blessings and being trustworthy in all aspects of your life because if you are then the Lord will help and bless you. Others will trust you more and your business will grow.

Another thing I learned this week is that one of most important capabilities one can have is to ask questions and listen to the answers. If we are not listening to what the customer wants, we will go nowhere! We may think we know best but we really don't. The only sure way of getting to where we need to be is by learning from others. Lifelong learning is a very important trait of an entrepreneur.

Another thing I learned about was personal finance. I learned that it is a spiritual thing and not just a temporal thing. When we manage our money wisely we are more able to serve God and others. I have read in several entrepreneur help books that to be successful one should donate 10% of their earnings to a form of charity. I like that idea. Entrepreneurship is not all about the money, it is about living your dream and CHANGING the WORLD!

Entry 6

Success is Gauged by Self-mastery
I asked a couple of my family and friends how they thought I compared to successful entrepreneurs and I learned that they all think I make a great entrepreneur. My sister says that I really need to work on my communication skills, which I am not sure yet how to do that, but that she was pleasantly surprised when I dove into Herbalife and really put my whole self into it. My mother especially thinks that I will be very successful because of my persistence and go-getter attitude I have.

Another awesome thing this week is I got to expand my network of mentors. I went to a yard and house work job over the weekend and it turns out that she is really into health foods as well, so we discussed different healthy practices. And I also learned that she is a therapist who works with little children so I got to learn about that career option. It was beneficial to me because I decided that for school I am going to major in Recreation Management with an emphasis in Recreational Therapy. It was cool to hear about her experiences in that field. 

So The following are some quotes and notes I took while listening and reading talks and videos:

Solomon in all his wisdom made this meaningful statement: “He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city.” (Prov. 16:32.)

Plato said: “The first and best victory is to conquer self; to be conquered by self is, of all things, the most shameful and vile.”

There are two important elements in self-mastery. The first is to determine your course or set the sails, so to speak, of moral standards; the other is the willpower, or the wind in the sails carrying one forward. 
The Lord is always looking for men in whom he can place his full confidence, who can represent him in the mission field, and men who can be trusted in every way and who are prepared to help build his kingdom.


E corner videos-entrepreneur and Family
-start up before family life, because it is time consuming
-got to make rules and boundaries, balance life

3 lessons from what it means to be entrepreneur:
-never stop being what you are, you will always be what you love :)
-Time is a valuable asset, what do u want to do with the next 20 30 yrs of life?
Entrepreneurs create the most value by doing the same thing for a very long time-growing changing, next stage with this thing. determined, keep swimming! stick with it!

Loyalty to God and Family
-As we get more responsibilities in life, people will crunch down those things that should never be crunched down to make time for their hobbies and fun things they love to do.
-never compromise time with God and Family. "Don't every be too busy to take a calling in the church!"
-Where is my heart?
-The Lord requires a willing heart and mind" -Give the most time to what matters most. 

I learned a lot this week. I learned about the importance of giving God my time and my willingness to serve him BEFORE everything else. I know that when I trust in God that he will help me accomplish my righteous endeavors. 

Entry 5- Role Model

I loved learning about what qualities I have that entrepreneurs have as well. I got a 76% out of 100% in my entrepreneurial quotient test. I think that that is a pretty good score. It means that I am 3/4 compatible with entrepreneurs. The awesome part is that the remaining 24% can be learned. That is what I learned in the book So You Want To Be An Entrepreneur?
I think it is very exciting having the mindset of an entrepreneur. The world gets so much bigger with more and more opportunities. A couple things I learned from the video A Hero's Journey were pretty helpful.
1. Find a mentor and ask them questions
2.Choose 10 role models, ask great questions

My brother Dennis has always been my role model in life. I always look up to him. He has such big dreams and goals for his future, it is so inspiring! The things he wants to do, the places he wants to travel to and the people he wants to help...He is amazing. I want to be like him. Having a solid vision of the future and not letting anyone deter him from his dreams.

He is a true Entrepreneur.

Being a Wellness Coach has helped me see more of what I want in my future and it is so exciting to have the opportunity to help others reach their goals. Just this week I got my first real client who is so excited to get on her weight loss program. I am very excited to help her reach her goals. I could definitely see myself doing this for a long time.

Entry 4- Do what you love

I think that for this entry I am going to just basically list out the things I learned this week. I can't figure out a way of saying everything I want to in a nice way that ties them all together so they are a bit sporadic. 

 In the article How Will You Measure Your Life? by Clayton M. Christensen he mentions several great points.

First, he teaches about the importance of learning to come to your own answers. Instead of handing someone all the answers to life, he teaches them methods and they can usually figure out a solution on their own. I like that.
Second, To discover your purpose in life, not just once, but every day.
Third, "It is easier to hold to your principles 100% of the time than it is to hold to them 98% of the time."
Decide now what your principles and commitments are and stick to them. "Just this once"......is false thinking. FACT.
Lastly Christensen points out that Truly humble people seem to be those with the best self-esteem. Far too often people mistake being humble for belittling ones self. That is not true.

So now let's move on to the videos, a couple things for ya:

-Do what you love because you will be better at it.

-Find out what you were born to do. What makes you the happiest?

-If you are having trouble figuring out what you love to do, keep a notebook journal and record your life and when you feel the happiest.

-Each day make a better decision than the one you did yesterday

So, here's a recap: Find out what you love to do an do it. With Integrity, all the time. Find Your Purpose again and again and help inspire others. 
 

Week 3

"Put Your Skin in the Game"

I think this is the most important thing I learned this week through the videos and assignments. I learned that if you are really, truly wanting your business to succeed, you are gonna have to take some risks. INVEST in what you believe in and great things can happen. When you had to make an effort, you will work harder for it. 

I suppose that is kind of like those who had to work hard to pay for college and those who's parents were fortunate enough to do so. If it isn't your money, it isn't quite that big of a deal if you fail.

So INVEST, if you are serious about succeeding. 

Another point for this week is choosing loyal partners with great integrity. You can count on them to stick it out when things get hard and they will always have your back. 

For my Wellness Coach business, there is a monthly training seminar that is highly recommended to never miss. Even though we basically learn the same things every time, It shows your commitment level when one can invest in the time and money to attend each month. I had to make a conscious decision to make those a priority in my business. I learn new things every time and it helps me stay focused on my goals and what I want to achieve. 

So lesson of the day is to Invest in what you want. And great things can happen! :)

Live a Life of Meaning

This week I have been learning about integrity, about doing what makes you happy and finding a purpose. I learned that it doesn't matter if you work as a janitor or a brain surgeon, as long as you love what you do and you do it with the intent to serve God and those around you.
I got to write a list of 50 things I want to do before I die. It got kinda hard toward the middle but by the end, I made it to 60. It's kinda fun to dream big. To be brave enough to put myself out there and see what happens. Because if you don't dream and set goals for your future, they won't happen. Only the things we work for will come true.
I learned that Money is not everything, it is ok not to be rich. Just make sure you love life and you are making time for the truly important things in life. It's ok to dream big. It's ok to own a business. And it's ok to be honest about everything. :)
That is that.

Week 1

I am starting this blog as part of my online Entrepreneur class. This first week we have been focusing on the importance of the gospel of Jesus Christ in our lives as we move through college. I have been learning just how important it is that we give our whole souls to learning and developing our skills, not for the grade but for eternal progression.
I never really thought much about that going through High School. I "got the grade" but remembered almost nothing from those years of last minute studying. As an entrepreneur I must be able to develop the ability to learn my whole life. The world is always changing and if I am to be successful, I must always be striving to learn new things, to become a better person.

That is all for right now :)