Week 10 - Attitudes

What a wonderful week this has been. My parents were in town last weekend, and I got to spend Thanksgiving with my son and his girlfriend. I wanted to share just a little of what I am thankful for...

Those things I am grateful for, are too many to mention, so I picked just a few. I am grateful for a Heavenly Father who sees my potential, but loves me for who I am. I am grateful for a Savior who loves me so much, who atoned for my sins. I am grateful for the Holy Ghost who comforts and guides me. I am grateful for my son, who is my inspiration. I am grateful for my parents who encourage me. I am grateful for my faith, which makes me want to be a better person.

This week in class we learned a lot about balancing family and career. As a single mom, I knew the struggles related to work and family. I learned very quickly that we only get this one chance to watch our little ones grow. They are in our care for a short time in the grand scheme of things and this time is precious and should not be taken lightly. I am sad for the milestones I missed, but oh so grateful for those I got to share. I will hold them near to me always.

We were asked to answer the following questions this week:

 What is your attitude toward money?

I have always been anxious about money. There are times when it has been a real struggle, and often times I had to choose which bill would be paid. Now that I am doing better financially, I find it hard to spend money. I tend to hold onto it for fear of losing it, or not having enough of it.

 How can your view of money affect the way you live?

 Sometimes I feel trapped by money. I feel anxious when I make a large purchase or when something breaks down and needs to be repaired. I always feel like I will run out and not be able to meet my commitments.

What rules are recommended for prospering?

 This week we read “Attitude on Money” by Stephen W. Gibson. In this article we learn there are rules to be followed in order to prosper. They are as follows:

“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.

Education, as President Hinckley has taught us, is the Key to Opportunity.

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.” (Gibson)

As I read this article it became clear to me that I need not fear. As long as I am following the rules and the guidance of our Prophets and Apostles, and doing that which is pleasing to the Lord, I will be provided for. I cannot just sit back and wait for it happen, I have to be actively involved in making the money, but as long as I work hard and live righteously, the Lord will guide me to make the correct choices with regards to my finances. 

Week 9 - Insight

This has been a wonderful week for me. I have learned so much as I interviewed my Entrepreneur, and also as I read the takeaways other students got from their interviews. We have all been blessed this week with great advice and encouragement. One of the best things I learned in my interview with Mr. Phillipson this week, was, “it’s not enough to be financially savvy, you also have to show financial restraint.” As I thought about this I realized, sometimes we have to accept a little less on the front end, to reap greater rewards on the back end. Taking risks is what entrepreneurs do, but their risks are carefully vetted and reviewed, they are not just taking risks for risk’s sake. 

In the “Launching Leaders” video this week, Jim Ritchie spoke about a book “Your Emotional Fingerprint” by Woody Woodward. Ritchie shared that in the book Woodward helps you “develop a blue print for your feelings and emotions” which in turn helps you understand why you react the way you do to situations, and how you can use this to your benefit. I struggle with this, as I noted in last week’s post, and feel I could greatly benefit from reading this book. More to follow on that....

Week 8 - Leader – do I have what it takes?

This week in our class we have been reading, watching and learning about leaders and followers. This got me thinking, “Am I a good leader? Do I have what it takes to lead effectively?” As I pondered these questions, I realized that it depends on the scenario. There are times when I take the lead, and other times when I follow. In my opinion, being a good leader is knowing when to follow a great leader.

I had an epiphany of sorts this past week. I am in the midst of a very stressful financial undertaking, and things didn’t really go according to my plan. Instead of taking a step back to review what I had learned and regroup, I allowed my emotions to take control and a “meltdown” ensued. I am grateful to all those people who rallied around me to help me back up, but later on I realized this was my weakness. Please don’t misunderstand me, being affected emotionally is not the weakness, allowing the emotions to take control is the weakness. I learned I must control the situation and take cues from the emotions, but keep them always in check. You cannot lead an organization by always succumbing to tears; those you lead, look to you for strength and guidance.  

Our general manager is looking for someone to take the reins in our office, so that he can focus on other areas. Although my emotions were linked to a personal matter, he will remember this moment and wonder “if she struggles with those decisions, how much more will she struggle with difficult business decisions.” I know I have the knowledge and skill to take on this responsibility, but I also know I need to work on my leadership abilities. You cannot follow someone into battle who is cowering and sniveling. You can, however, follow someone who acknowledges their fear, but rides out ahead of the charge with courage and a desire to make a difference. This is the leader I strive to become. 

Week 7 - Never Give Up

This week we are preparing for our Entrepreneur Interview. I have been thinking about this a lot this week. I want to ensure I am asking substantive questions, I also don’t want to waste anyone’s time with the “generic stuff”. I have also been struggling with who I would like to interview. I have been thinking about someone I can learn from, someone I admire, someone with similar standards to mine. I still have work to do.

I have also been thinking about Eric Ries talk “The Five Why’s”. We have been going through a rough patch at work. Morale is low and employees seem to be at one another more than normal. I would like to view this scenario using the “Five Why’s” strategy. I would like to discuss this with my boss also, I think if we could come together as a group to discuss what’s going on, it would be helpful, and hopefully solve some issues.

I am so grateful for all the readings and videos this week. I have been struggling with some personal issues this week, and lately school has been very challenging for me. I have been thinking about whether I want to continue on this path. The Mormon Message by Elder Holland “Good Things to Come” was so encouraging to me. If I can only hold on a little longer, I will see the good that will come from sticking to it. My heart was softened as I read President Monson’s talk “Looking Back and Moving Forward”. In this talk President Monson says “We are inclined to view our own personal misfortunes through the distorted prism of pessimism. We feel abandoned, heartbroken, alone. If you find yourself in such a situation, I plead with you to turn to our Heavenly Father in faith. He will lift you and guide you. He will not always take your afflictions from you, but He will comfort and lead you with love through whatever storm you face.” (Monson). This was such a powerful reminder to me and I am stronger and more resolved after reading it. 

I will hold fast, I will learn from the past, I will look to the future and I will endure.

Week 6 – Breath And Enjoy The Journey

I have to admit, I am struggling a bit with my classes at the moment. I am enjoying the readings and the exercises we participate in for our “Introduction to Entrepreneurship” class, but I don’t know if this is the path I see myself on long term. I have never considered myself to be an Entrepreneur. I am learning, though, that I can apply the things I am learning to my personal life as well. Maybe as I focus on that, I will discover my inner Entrepreneur and will be ready then, to take on the world.

I especially loved the talk by President Gordon B. Hinckley, “Stand True and Be Faithful”. As a young adult I made some pretty bad decisions, and have struggled with them for years. After reading his talk I was given renewed hope and encouragement. He says “Repentance is one of the first principles of the gospel. Forgiveness is a mark of divinity. There is hope for you. Your lives are ahead, and they can be filled with happiness, even though the past may have been marred by sin. This is a work of saving and assisting people with their problems. This is the purpose of the gospel” (Hinckley). We also received some not-so-good-news about my mom’s health this week, and as I was reading this talk I was reminded how special and important my mom is to me. President Hinckley said “Your mother is your best friend. Never forget that. She gave you life. She cared for you, nurtured you, nursed you when you were sick, and looked after your every need. Listen to her now. Talk with her candidly and confidentially. You will find that she will keep your confidence and that her wisdom will prove to be wonderful.”

This week we also learned about Stephen R. Covey’s “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People”. Although each of the habits is logical and makes sense to me, the one I most need to work on is number 7 – “Sharpen the Saw”. I don’t take the time to care for myself. It’s amusing to me, because I will always share with my friends and family, that they should slow down a little and take care of themselves; but I don’t follow the same advice. Sometimes I think I stay busy, so that I won’t have to focus on myself. However, I must remember to do this, if not entirely for myself then for my family too, they need me as much as I need them. Other times I think, if I slowed down, I would realize I’m just running in a circle. Time to breath and focus on my journey, not just the race to get where I am going. 

Week 5 – The Lord and My Family

Each week we are asked to reflect on what we have learned, and what we are excited to accomplish in our lives. We had really great talks to refer to this week, and each one of them mentioned either being our best selves, and, or our family priorities. In his talk “Success is Gauged by Self-Mastery” Elder N. Eldon Tanner reminds us what is important. How we chose to live our lives in the present has eternal consequences. He said “Narrow is a very meaningful word. Often people accuse us of being narrow-minded if we are following the straight and narrow path, which certainly does require self-restraint and self-denial. We must realize and be prepared to accept the fact that it confines us, restricts us, and limits us in certain areas. But let us fully realize that it does not fetter or shackle mankind. On the contrary, it is the way to emancipation, independence, and liberty” (Tanner). How grateful I am to have read this talk, to be reminded that sometimes I have to make a decision to forego something which I might enjoy here, but will be blessed by the outcome in eternity.

In the videos we watched this week, family and not sacrificing them for our goals of Entrepreneurship was stressed. Steve Blank shared that he and his wife set rules for their family, and they stuck to them. If we don’t do this, we could easily lose sight of what is important. I am saddened sometimes when I think back to my sons early years. I took a new job and quickly promoted up through the ranks. With each promotion additional responsibilities were added, as is typical. I would bring work home with me, or would even “run to the office for a short while” on a Saturday or Sunday, only to look up and realize a whole day had gone by and my son was growing up in my absence. My son is now a man of 21 who has a great work ethic, but I am even more proud of the fact that he puts his family first. It may be in small ways, but it’s in ways that count and are important. I am grateful that I realized the mistakes I was making, and although I lost valuable time with him, I didn’t lose all of it. I made sure I stayed focused at work, even if I had to go in a little earlier each morning, so that I could set aside the evenings and weekends for my family. 

Week 4 – Things learned and things remembered….

Wow this week was cram packed with so much wonderful information. Every week, we learn so much, but this week, really struck home for me. One of our readings was a case study about Erica Mills and her company “Warm Fuzz Cards”, and one of our videos was “A Hero’s Journey” by Jeff Sandefer. These 2 items in particular grabbed my attention.

I am a very creative person, so I was attracted to the story about the greeting card company. I enjoyed learning how Mills had an idea, but when she received feedback about her cards, she didn’t swim against the current, she adjusted her idea and made the necessary changes. This lead to her success and ability to grow her business.

In his talk “A Hero’s Journey” Jeff Sandefer reminds us what is important. He said “Live every moment like it matters, because it does…” (Sandefer). He also encourages us to “…choose [our] fellow travelers well, for [we] only take this journey once” (Sandefer). I was reminded of how important my loved ones are. This journey of life, is not just about me, it is about them, and how we travel together. It is my desire to live a life of service, to be a good person, and to be there for those who need me.

I have thought a lot this week about those things I admire in others, and how I can learn from them and grow personally. I also thought about the things I admire in myself. I don’t want to sound conceited, but I think it is good to recognize the best in ourselves. So often we focus on the things we want to improve, but we must not forget that we too can inspire and help others on their paths.