The Last Lecture

If I was to give a last lecture for potential students that want to begin the entrepreneur journey, my first piece of advice would be to really study the material each week. Don't just read and watch the videos to get a good grade, but the advice and knowledge contained in the course is powerful and something to keep as a current and future resource. I found my experiences of studying much more meaningful when I began with a prayer. Sometimes it was easier for me to absorb the material when I listened to the book, videos, or talks contained in the lessons instead of sitting down to read them. It helped me to multi-task and prevented me from being too overwhelmed with other obligations. 

It took me a long time to get on the path that I am on now. However, each of my experiences prior to finishing my education shaped the entrepreneurial journey I wanted to take. Don't take those experiences prior to your education for granted. Learn from them and reflect on how they helped shape your motivation to be an entrepreneur.  I didn't realize until much later that each experience good and bad helped shape my decision to finish my education and pursue dreams and goals with a partner by my side. 

Words of caution: I learned a long time ago that when I tried to do something good in my life, I was met with multiple challenges and adversity. It's a law that when you are going to better yourself and do something good, you will undoubtedly meet some form of adversity. I've experienced some form of adversity each semester. That is most likely what will happen the further along I get in my own entrepreneurial journey. Just keep going on and be what President Monson termed a "finisher." You will be happier with yourself further down the road if you persist and move forward. Some people don't have a good support system. I am fortunate to have a great support system, but in the past I learned that if you don't have the right support you need, you will always have the support and friendship from the Savior. The Savior is your advocate and friend, so do what you can to keep yourself sensitive to the spirit and His love. That's a beautiful part of the Atonement. 

I learned that Entrepreneurs are happy, positive, and motivated people. I don't think I have taken a class that was more motivational and inspiriational before. Entrepreneurs seek positivitiy and I believe it helps keep them motivated and driven to accomplish their goals. I learned that entrepreneurs view their lives as journeys, set goals, and don't stop working to make it happen. They also do their homework and built relationships with mentors. They make lifelong learning a part of their journey because they know that learning should never stop. 

My experience with this class and and an entrepreneur just beginning my own journey has been nothing but positive. I know that if you are motivated and willing to do the work, you will be rewarded in the same way. 

Endings

I don't feel ready for the semester to be over. Normally, I would be jumping for joy! I finished my classes! I didn't fail!  But, I started to feel sad and worried I wouldn't have the motivation to continue. However, this week I learned that my learning journey is up to me. I won't always have a structured course with great resources and motivating material to build me up. That is up to me.

"Most entrepreneurs would agree that building a business is more than a job; it is a passion. Stories of entrepreneurs sleeping at their offices may be exaggerated but are not unfounded.  It will definitely require a huge time commitment and cut into your leisure time. You may not be able to know what to expect a year, even a month from now" (Applegate, p. 6). My first instinct at the end of the day or when I finish doing any task is to reward myself with reading a book. I was thinking about how some things in my life might be cut out for a while to keep my eye on my vision and goal. I remember when I was working two jobs: one as a cosmetology instructor and the other as a part-time independent contractor hairstylist, I didn't read for years. I wanted to, but I was so focused on the need to live, pay my bills, and build my part-time business.  That was a challenging time in my life, but I reaped the rewards and eventually, I was able to read again. I suppose that is a silly thing to worry about, but it pained me to realize that I will probably need to set aside some important things to me to achieve my goal.

Pioneers

"A Pioneer is one who is motivated out of the sense of impossible."
"God gives man the raw materials...not things already made."

In addition to the harrowing story about the young girl in Darfur (?), which was a startling reminder to be grateful for my education and life, I was reminded how important it is to work hard and be a true pioneer. Elder Gay also said that "business is about service and about rescue."

Most of the reading throughout this course deals with understanding our life's mission and how we should center our business around the principles of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. This talk by Elder Gay significantly reinforced this concept.

Am I a Pioneer? Do I have some grand purpose in life like the mission of Elder Gay? I don't know.  However, I do know that I am a fighter. I also know that when I serve others, I am exemplifying the pure love of Christ. I know that I want my business endeavors to reflect the greater good.

"What's a Business For" Questions

1) " Conceal truth or erode trust, and the game becomes so unreliable that no one will want to play."
It is vital to be honest and ethical so that companies can thrive and do what they set out to do.

2)"It is to make a profit so that the business can do something more or better."

3). Retaining the "energyy produced by the old model while remedying its flaws" and that "dividends be paid to those who contribute their skills as well as to those who have contributed their money."

A Calling

"A calling is finding that special place where your most precious gifts allow you to do something you love, in service to others, in a way that changes the world." (Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness)

That is my favorite quote from this week and this article/book my favorite reading assignment, so much so that I had my husband read it too.

My Dad gave me some really great advice when I was dating. He told me that it doesn't necessarily matter that you have the same interests as the person you date or marry, what matters is that you have the same goals in life. I thought that was strange, but when I analyzed my parents' interests, I realized that they don't have any of the same interests. They definitely have the same goals and they run a business together. And they are so happy and have been happy for 45 years. I took that advice to heart and I married someone who doesn't share the same interests as me. I definitely hate the music he listens to because it's hideous. But, we do have the same goals and I believe that we are finding that calling together.

(Excuse the sappiness-but it is what the reading made me think about this week.)

Attitude about Money:

1) My attitude about money: It isn't evil. But, I don't want the pursuit to ruin my life or my relationships.
2) Your view of money can affect the way you live. At this point in my life, I have a strict budget. If we are fortunate enough to not worry about money anymore, I still think that we will have a strict budget. Money can't solve all your problems. It might solve some temporal problems, but it won't solve relationship problems, family problems, or emotional problems.
"Remember, the ways we see things are a combination of what filters others have placed in our minds. These filters, ideas, beliefs, opinions and teachings get into our minds when we are very young and color and form the way we perceive or see things and issues."
3)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.
   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.