God won't give you cookies, but He will provide the ingredients

The most impactful lesson I retained from this week's lesson was the talk by Elder Gay. He has a background of great success in business, yet he comes across as humble, and it seems that his priority was not to obtain wealth, but to build up Heavenly Father's kingdom. Years ago I heard the talk that was quoted by Elder Gay in this lesson. The Lord provides raw materials, not finished goods, so mankind can experience the joy of creation. From this talk, the quote above came to my mind, and I wanted to hang this quote in my kitchen "God won't give you cookies, but He will provide the ingredients." I think this concept applies to cooking, as well as to life. Often I think we want to have things handed to us:capital to start a business, a mentor that will hold your hand through the challenging steps of entrepreneurship. Often, this is not how it works. As we pray for success in our endeavors, the Lord will bless us, but many times He does not just hand out capital. He will, however, more likely bring our minds to the awareness of sources of capital for which we can work to obtain it. He will also place people in our path that can be mentors, but they may not do the work for us. They can serve as a guide and a resource, but the work must be done by the individual. The talk from Elder Gay

Interview with an Entrepreneur

This week I needed to record my experience interviewing an entrepreneur. For another class, I also had to interview a couple people in business, so I had some different perspectives to draw from. I interviewed a woman whom I admire, who is a personal friend, and an entrepreneur. This was not her planned career path, but it sort of just happened that the circumstances were right for her to start her own business. This was not something she had studied or even thought about, so there has been a lot of learning involved in the process. What I learned in this interview process is number 1: entrepreneurs are busy people. They work hard and care about their people, and their clients. That may not be true of every entrepreneur, but for the people I spoke with, that was definitely the case. I also learned that most are willing to take the time to discuss the lessons they've learned along the way, if they don't feel you're just wasting their time. I learned that often, and entrepreneur is someone who takes advantage of being in the right place at the right time, and it's not always a planned course for their life. I also found that once a person has the experience of working for themselves, they do not have the desire to back and work for someone else. I think this helps motivate entrepreneurs to continue the process of operating other businesses. The entrepreneur I interviewed has only been a business owner for a couple years, and there is still a lot to learn. She has surrounded herself with advisors and mentors, people she can ask for advice and direction. This is something else I learned from this experience: an entrepreneur does not have to do it alone. There are many resources out there, and people who are willing to give direction if asked. I've always been afraid to start my own business, with the feeling that it's not stable and secure for a stead income. I am now coming to understand that there is risk involved, but there is definitely opportunity to create a secure and steady income, if one is willing to do some research, and find need that matched the skills and talents I have to offer.

True leadership

The overall theme I felt in this week's readings was about becoming a good leader. The address given by Kim Clark was very clear cut and simple: lead with a "small l." Basically there are three attributes to develop to master small l leadership. First is be a good example. We are to work to be more like the Savior, who was the perfect, ultimate example, and He tells us to "Follow Him" after he showed us by example, the way we need to be. He knew that to be a good leader is not to simply direct others to do something, but to FIRST be a good example, and people will naturally follow you. Second, we must have and maintain a vision. We cannot expect people to work towards something of which they are unaware. It is the leader's responsibility to help those following to remember the vision of the end goal, and continually work towards that goal. The third attribute mentioned is to lead with love. If people know and can feel they are loved, they will have no problem following, and remaining loyal to those in leadership. Leadership with a small "l" puts the focus on being humble and not boasting of ourselves, but in working hard and expecting others to work with you. I really admire people who I've see that have this type of leadership ability, and there it a notable difference in the feeling of an organization if they are led by someone who exemplifies this leadership model. My favorite part of the readings this week was the article "Message to Garcia" and the message about being a person who has the ability to execute. I see changes in myself over the course of my working years. I realize when I was young, I was less likely to just dig in and get the job done. I would have asked questions and less executable. Now, however, I think I am very much this type of person, and as I look to hire for my company, I realize it is not a common trait. We have to recognize those in the organization who are not people who will just work to get it done no matter what, and get them "off the bus" as Mr. Collins would say. This has caused lots of recent changes in our organization, but due to the nature of what we do, it is important for us to have people who will do what it takes, ask the right questions, and learn from their mistakes, rather than being slowed down by them. This reading was the most powerful to me, and something I want to teach my children, that THIS ability is so vital. And in the end of the reading it provides guidance to become that type of person. It does not have to be something you're either born with or not; it can be developed. I feel like that is almost as important: to know there is hope to become someone that can provide that kind of value to an organization, no matter what type of organization it is. Just dig in and get things done...the world needs more people who are able to willing to do just that.

Perseverance...all things are possible

This week we read about Elder Holland's experiences and how they taught him that perseverance is important in life, an education, and in business. We cannot let failures or disappoints distract or prevent us from accomplishing our goals. The video of Taylor Richards tells us to involve the Lord in all aspects of our lives, including becoming an entrepreneur. He relates the story of Nephi, and how the Lord blessed Nephi to accomplish those things he needed to do. But Nephi also called upon the Lord; he didn't just wait for the Lord to step in and help him. It is the same with us. We will have people tell us we can't accomplish what we're trying to do, but if we ask the Lord for help, He will help us in any righteous endeavor. I believe that if I want to become an entrepreneur, and my motivations are pure, then the Lord will help me as I ask for His guidance. I know He helps guide me when I ask for direction, and I know that He will move obstacles from my path, as I pursue righteous endeavors. This was a great reminder to me, as there were elements of things that are in my patriarchal blessing.

The 7 Habits Review

This week we studied “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People”, by Steven R. Covey. I have a hard time trying to find a favorite habit, but my first thought was that the first habit is my favorite, since nothing can be done without the first habit. My favorite habit is the first: Be Proactive. If we don’t make the choice to take action, rather than just react to situations in life, we’ll always be reactive. This puts us at a disadvantage, and not in a position of control. In order to be successful in life and in business, we must be in charge of ourselves, proactive in making decision to get where we plan to go. The other habits are excellent, also: Begin with the end in mind; First things first (prioritize); Think win/win; First seek to understand, then be understood; Create synergy. I think “First things first” is a habit I need to work on. I need to learn how to better prioritize my daily tasks to accomplish those things that are most important. I also really like the counsel to “First seek to understand, then be understood” as this advice is valuable in all relationship areas of our lives. We will be much more successful if we first understand the other person’s point of view and desires, then work together towards accomplishing shared goals, or working to merge goals together. The 7 Habits are an excellent guideline for how to be a successful person. Developing these habits will help me to be a better business person, community member, and family member. I like that there’s a progression in the habits. The first three habits are personal victories, and help with being able to move on to master the next three habits, which are public victories. And then there’s the seventh habit, to sharpen the saw. To make yourself better, to take care of yourself and your family. This is the ultimate place to be…master of yourself.

Mastering one's self...the most important first step

This videos and readings this week were focused on again on skills and characteristics that are helpful in becoming a successful entrepreneur. The talk which I found most compelling was the talk by Elder Tanner. Although this talk was given to an audience of Priesthood holders a couple decades ago, it contains principles that can be applied by everyone who wants to be successful in business, or just in life. Elder Tanner talked about self-master, and discipline. This is an area which I feel I could improve. Often times I allow myself to get distracted by those things that are less important, and I become less focused on those things that will help me achieve my goals. In his address, he quotes several philosophers that advise self-control and mastery are the only means of being successful. I found several of these quotes notable, so I’ll share them here for future reflection: 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.” The word “vile” used here is an excellent visual of how important it is to be in control of one’s self. And da Vinci once said: “You will never have a greater or lesser dominion than that over yourself.” Then he goes on to say that “the height of a man’s success is gauged by his self-mastery; the depth of his failure by his self-abandonment. … And this law is the expression of eternal justice. He who cannot establish dominion over himself will have no dominion over others.” In this quote, the word “failure” is used to express that you cannot succeed without having mastered yourself first. In the Bible, Solomon teaches us that “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.) I’ve always liked this scripture, in that it demonstrates that we are in control of our emotions, and to master them makes us mighty indeed. These quotes really struck me as I read them, and I need to reflect how I can work to obtain greater self-mastery in my life. I know I cannot truly be successful in business or in life without first working on this important trait.

Being an entrepreneur is not for the weak

The lessons this week made me realize that becoming an entrepreneur requires more than just a desire for money. In fact, there is little likelihood of success if money is one's main motivation. Entrepreneurship requires persistence, perserverance, and diligence. It also requires a sense of ingenuity, and a willingness to change as directed by your consumers' feedback. Being an entrepreneur is not necessarily going to provide the most stable income or work schedule. However, it can provide flexibility in doing something you're passionate about, without the contraints of following directives from a corporate employer. It can also allow for freedom in deciding who you will work with, and where you want to work. The reality of the lifestyle of an entrepreneur is one of possible long days, little support, and lots of decision-making. To be an entrepreneur means to have the resilience to accept rejection, and the perserverance to keep pursuing your goals, no matter how difficult the challenge. The question: "is an entrepreneur born or made?" really made me think. I have always felt that I don't have what it takes to be a successful entrepreneur, but I realized that the real question is: "do I have the perserverance to do what it takes...?" That is a question I have yet to answer. I think, after my experience working with small business owners, that I may get to the point where I'd be comfortable operating my own business, but I'd want to stay small. I do not really like managing all the aspects of a business, so I'd probably be more content with either remaining a small service organization, or hiring a manager if I were to grow into a large enterprise. I guess time will tell how I decide to pursue my future business options.