Entreprenuer

Entreprenuer

Saturday, October 31, 2015

Week Six

10/30/15
Moving forward with a driving passion!

Lessons Learned:
This week I finished the book "Mastery" by George Leonard.  The final section of the book consisted of finding energy for mastery, pitfalls to beware of and how to master the commonplace.  There were five guidelines given to help us stay on the path of mastery: be aware of the way homeostasis works, be willing to negotiate with our resistance to change, develop a support system, follow a regular practice and dedicate ourselves to lifelong learning.  When discussing how to have the energy to become a master, Leonard also discussed seven different ways to help us do this.  These seven principles include maintain physical fitness, acknowledge the negative and accentuate the positive, try telling the truth, honor but don't indulge your own dark set, set your priorities, make commitments and take action, and once you get on the path of mastery to stay on it.  
The book finished with how to master the commonplace.  If we can learn to love the plateau, master the five keys, and utilize all the tools that Leonard has given us then we can apply it to our daily lives and master each and every day throughout our life-long journey.
"Ultimately nothing in this life is 'commonplace,' nothing is 'in between.'  The threads that join your every act, your every thought, are infinite.  All paths of mastery eventually merge."  

This week we also discussed Franklin Coveys 7 Habits of Highly Effective People.  Although all seven habits are incredible and equally important to build upon one another, my favorite is the final step: sharpen the saw.  If we put in all of the work to achieve our success and goals, but do not continue to sharpen the saw, it has all been somewhat pointless.  I love the four dimensions of sharpening the saw including our physical, spiritual, mental, and social/emotional dimensions.  In order to continually progress we must repeat these cycles and principles we have learned over and over, and that is what sharpening the saw means to me.  I must continually take care of my mind, body and spirit to grow stronger, better and to keep my progression moving forward.


Lessons Not Yet Learned:
I am still on my journey of mastery.  The biggest thing I have taken away from this book is to love the plateau.  As I've continued reading the book and other materials for the week, I've realized more and more that I have always lived my life for the progression points and exciting stages.  I get bored and unhappy during my long plateau periods, but I need to learn to love them and enjoy fully every moment of my life.  I cannot live my life waiting for the next progression point or major life event.  I am learning how to master the commonplace and be present in the here and now.

A Reference and Categorization Method:
The basic summary of The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People can be found here:
https://content.byui.edu/file/3dda7de4-cd79-4390-9bcf-3cb660c48dd1/1/The%207%20Habits%20of%20Highly%20Effective%20People.pdf
Stand True and Faithful by President Gordon B. Hickley
https://www.lds.org/general-conference/1996/04/stand-true-and-faithful?lang=eng

Friday, October 23, 2015

Week Five

10/23/15
So you want to be an entrepreneur?

Lessons Learned:
I continued in the book “Mastery” and read section two this week.  It consisted of five key practices involved in mastery: instruction, practice, surrender, intentionality and the edge.  I will provide a short explanation of each one below.

Instruction:  There are many different types of instruction available, including teaching one-on-one, teaching in groups, books, movies, tapes, simulators, friends, classes and as it states in the book even “the street.”  When looking into instruction options it is important to look at experience, credentials, and especially interaction between the teacher and students. 
Practice: The general term of practicing is to learn a skill, improve, achieve goals or even make money.  In terms of mastery, practicing is considered a noun instead of a verb.  It is described not as “something you do, but as something you have, something you are.”  Practice in mastery is not to gain something from it but something that is done for its own sake.  Rewards from practice are nice, but they are not the goal of the master’s practice.  Masters love to practice and it will always be a part of their journey in mastery.
Surrender: Surrendering includes being humble and willing to surrender to your teacher at all times, without question.  A true master will obey his or her teacher and surrender to them.  My favorite part of this section was the parable of the cup and quart.  You must let go of the cup of milk before you can reach for the quart of milk.  This means that things may get worse, harder or messier before they get better.  But you will never be able to take the quart of milk into your hands without first letting go of the cup.
Intentionality: The power of imagery is very real and substantial.  By simply visioning something you can actually make it a reality.  Our minds are far more powerful than we give credit for.  If we want something we can visualize it, then we can believe our visualizations and create and cause them to happen.  “Every master is a master of vision”
The Edge: Masters will ultimately challenge limits and raise the bars of performance.  It is said that the key for a master is not either/or, but is instead both/and.  This section ends explaining that a master must first experience many years of instruction, practice, surrender and intentionality before reaching the edge.  And even then there is more training and more time on the plateau.  A master accepts this never ending challenge and lifelong path.

Lessons Not Yet Learned:
The idea of pushing past the edge is somewhat daunting to me.  I understand the process of a master and the key steps that must be followed, but the final step seems difficult and will push past comfort zones and limits.  I am still learning my capabilities and in the instruction phase of my mastery.

A Reference and Categorization Method:
There were a few readings that provided insight into this week’s lesson:
“Success is Gauged by Self-Mastery” by Elder Tanner
“How Entrepreneurs Craft Strategies That Work” By Amar Bhide (Harvard Business Review)
“So You Want to Be an Entrepreneur”
http://www.actonguides.org/pdf/SoYouWant.pdf


Friday, October 16, 2015

Week Four

10/16/15
Mastery

Lessons Learned:
This week we were introduced to the concept of mastery by reading the book called “Mastery”.  I found the different types of masters that he mentioned to be very interesting and related all too well with the first one listed.  I loved his explanation of plateaus and how we should thrive on them.  Instead I am like too many others who are always living for the excitement of the advancing portions of life.  I really had to step back and recognize this and am trying to learn to live my life with happiness and enjoyment of the constant plateaus of life. 
The video “A Hero’s Journey” talked about how each of us has a very important mission in life, which is to have the courage to find our entrepreneurial callings.   Jess Sandefer was the speaker for this lecture and he shared the three things that people asked themselves when pondering and looking back on their lives.  Have I contributed something meaningful?  Was I a good person? And who did I love and who loved me?  His lecture made me ponder on the fact that we start out as innocent and pure babies and children, eager to learn and grow.  Then as we do learn and find success we have pride in ourselves and become selfish.  But as we mature and grow older we realize the most important things in life, being family, our service and love to others, and if we have contributed to making the world a better place. 
I loved Sandefer’s idea of writing down a list of “I will not’s”.  In this list you create boundaries that you will not cross.  Then he explicitly states that not if, but when, you cross one of these, to immediately recognize it as a signal to pause, re-evaluate and correct yourself.  He said we should create “messages in a bottle”, being a letter to our future selves to read when we cross these lines.  He describes them as messages to read in the moment of our greatest temptation.  Overall, the video was filled with great insight into what each of our hero journeys will consist of and how to make the best journey in our lives.

Lessons Not Yet Learned:
I have not yet learned how to become a master at mastery.  I look forward to continuing in the book to learn how to thrive during the regular plateaus in life.   By doing so I know that I will be able to feel more joy in my day to day life instead of the constant waiting for the next big moment in my life. 

A Reference and Categorization Method:
“A Hero’s Journey” lecture by Jeff Sandefer


Wednesday, October 7, 2015

Week Three

10/7/15
“How will you measure your life?”  This was the important question asked during this week’s learning.  Throughout my lessons learned, lessons not yet learned and references I have pondered this question in regards to my own life. 

Lessons Learned:
The Ministry of Business provides yet again, more incredible insight into living a successful business life, combined with living the gospel principles and living a fulfilling life.
Chapter seven discusses personal constitutions.  It all starts with the productivity pyramid.  The base is full of the governing values, next comes long term goals, from that comes short term goals and at the top of the pyramid are daily tasks.  Creating a personal constitution will help guide your life and be a key piece in times where you must re-asses or re-align yourself with your goals and who you want to be in this life.
Chapter eight is about giving back.  When we are blessed and can recognize those blessings we must give back by serving others and sharing God’s love and blessings with them.  I truly loved this book because of the example that Jim Ritchie and his wife provided of all their years of service and giving back in life.  I have a personal love for serving others and take advantage of volunteering my time in my local community whenever possible.  My husband and I like to volunteer at local shelters and even at the animal shelters.   
Chapter nine is called the unseen difference.  This chapter dives so much deeper into chapter eight, devoting your life to making an unseen difference in the world.  I loved the diagram that states “You lift me… and I’ll life thee… and we’ll ascend together”.  Live out your passions, remain humble, recognize your blessings, give back and most of all dedicate your life to serving others and making the world a better place. 

Lessons Not Yet Learned:
I am still learning what my deepest fears are and how to overcome them.  I personally deal with anxiety, and I do not want to let that anxiety stop me from pursuing all of my dreams and achieving success in all aspects of my life. 

A Reference and Categorization Method:
Personal Constitution (Ministry of Business chapter 7)
Governing Values
Prioritize a list of personal values and qualities that you want to possess.  Always use “I am” statements to provide a positive and direct language to direct you toward the action instead of merely wishing.
Long Term Goals
Write out goals in “I will” statements in order to commit yourself to these goals
Short Term Goals
Focus on short term goals that will get you to your long term goals.  Use clear, direct “A will” statements.
Daily Tasks
Begin with “Today I will” and write down your daily task list of things that will move you closer to achieving your goals.  These will provide incredible personal productivity and lead your way to your goals.
Be The Unseen Difference (Ministry of Business page 164)
Tom Rath’s eight roles to be filled by people in relationships: builder, champion, collaborator, companion, connector, energizer, mind opener and navigator.


Deconstructing Your Fears Reflection Questions
1.     If you pursue your calling with discipline, intentionality, and the help of fellow travelers, what are the chances that your worst case scenario will really happen?

I believe that we are our greatest enemies.  We allow self-doubt into our lives and prevent ourselves from reaching our greatest potentials.  If I pursue my calling with all of the principles and things listed above, my chances of achieving my goals are extremely high.  My worst case scenarios will probably only happen if I allow them to happen.  Although some things in life are out of our control, we can control our ultimate outcomes by the choices that we make each and every day. 
2.     As you look at your list of fears, what themes emerge? What is at the core of what you really fear?  Financial ruin? The judgement or disapproval of others?  Physical harm? Endangering the ones you love?  Embarrassment?

The biggest theme that emerges from my list of fears is personal disappointment.  I set very high standards for myself and I am so afraid that I won’t live up to my own standards.  I beat myself up and am way too hard on myself and my many short comings.  I need to accept that I do have short comings, as we are not perfect, and learn to overcome them with the power of my strengths.  I wish to live a balanced life with my family and then working when my future children are all in school, and in order to have the best of both worlds I need to accept now that I will experience some disappointments in life.  And that is okay!

3.     What is the risk of taking no action – not following your calling?  How do you plan to deal with fear when it pops up on your entrepreneurial journey?


It is impossible to achieve any joy without sorrow.  It is impossible to achieve the success and fulfillment of following my calling without taking the risks and action to get there.  If I do not try I will always wonder and question if I am even capable of achieve the goals I have set for myself.  And if I do not achieve every single goal I need to recognize that the Lord has a different path for me and that my journey led me to where I was supposed to go, regardless of if the end result was the same as I initially thought.  I will accept fear during my entrepreneurial journey and face it head on instead of pretending it is not there.  I will address the realistic possibilities of that fear, and then write out real ways to overcome them.

Saturday, October 3, 2015

Week Two

10/3/15
Integrity is a crucial principle to have in all aspects of life. We must create ethical guardrails and clear goals and plans in order to achieve success.  Integrity must be present at all times in order to reach these goals.

Lessons Learned:
The Ministry of Business has yet again provided great insight into how to live a happy and successful life.  Chapter four is titled The Formula and Happiness.  We learn that private victories come before public victories.  And the formula for success both a basic approach and an expanded approach.  The” guaranteed six step formula for happiness” is:
1.    Get up early
Starting the day off right is important to personal and business success.
2.    Work hard
Every successful person out there has worked extremely hard, you are no exception.
3.    Get your education
We must be properly trained and continue learning throughout our lives and career. Develop a love for life-long learning.
4.    Find your oil
Find out what you are great at and pursue this.  Provide better service or better products.
5.    Make your mark
Make a difference in every community and every career opportunity we are given.  Make a positive mark on this world.
6.    Get prepared to be of service
This is what sets this formula apart.  The secret to eternal success is service and giving back, giving us the truest possible happiness.
Chapter five is called the value of strong mentors.  Having mentors in your life is important to help you succeed.  They will make you stronger, build you up, push your limits and guide you the right way.  They are truly invested in your success and happiness.  Chapter six is called financial fitness.  There are three accounts that you should have for financial freedom: independent account, budget account and savings account.  Financial freedom is having the means to survive plus a little bit more.


Lessons Not Yet Learned:
I have not yet learned what I am the best at.  I think I have the potential to be a great leader as in a healthcare manager or administrator, however I still have more to learn.  I am currently applying for a new health clinic supervisor position to prove my leading and training skills.  I want to continue to grow, learn and improve myself.


A Reference and Categorization Method:
PRIVATE VS PUBLIC VICTORIES (The Ministry of Business pages 90-91)
Private Victory:
1.    Be proactive (granddaddy of all habits)
2.    Begin with the end in mind (those who win private victories see where they want to end up)
3.    First things first (have a plan, then execute the plan)
Public Victory
1.    Think win/win (versus win/lose)
2.    First seek to understand, then seek to be understood (empathetic listening)
3.    Create singer (1+1 = anything greater than 2)

FINANCIAL FITNESS (The Ministry of Business page 123)
1.    Independent Account
a)    Pay yourself first
b)    Interests and profits from investments
c)    Gold Account – investments and assets
2.    Budget Account
a)    Tithes and offerings
b)    Domestic expenses
c)    Living expenses
d)    Family expenses
e)    All normal costs of living
3.    Savings Account
a)    Non-Regular Expenses: rates/taxes, Christmas, transport, vacation, medical, etc.

b)    Car, boat, cruise, yacht, dream, etc.