Final Post

There are so many things that I have learned from taking this class. Some of these things I can put into words more easily than others. One thing that I have learned is that we all have strengths and weaknesses. Making the best of those strengths is very important, but admitting that we have weaknesses is essential to success. There are those out there who can help up fill in those gaps and make us both stronger in the process. I don’t have to do it all on my own and it is a much more fun journey to make when you have someone with you.

One idea that I had when starting this class was that I would have to choose between spending all of my time with my family or the business. Some of the readings did indicate that the family would be neglected, but other readings showed that, while it is hard, it is possible to keep your priorities correctly in line and make time for both. The article of Randy Haykin was especially enlightening since he brought up the fact that he sometimes struggles with this idea. He points out that he tries to pace himself and that when he was home with his family, he wasn’t doing office work. There are several other stories that also give advice for managing both and ideas of things that worked for them. Some of these are turning off work phones when at home, a “worry tree” by the front door to hang work worries on before entering and taking family members along on business trips.

            Probably the greatest thing that I learned from taking this class is that business and the Gospel of Jesus Christ actually go together. Working isn’t just about bettering our own situation. Through our work, we can strengthen those around us and build them up along with us. With our knowledge of God’s plan, we can lead our business teams with honor and virtue. We should pray about business ventures and be aware of what He has planned for our business as well. Although it may not be appropriate to pray in groups at work, we can pray individually and include Him in our decisions as we go. Our entrepreneur journey doesn’t have to be a lonely one. With His help we can keep ourselves on the right path and give of ourselves as Christ did.

week 12

The lesson this week was about being grateful. I thought that there was some wonderful advice and reminders given throughout it. The story of Larry North was amazing. Of all people who had an excuse to fail it would have been him and yet he believed in himself and started a very successful business. I don’t have nearly the excuse that he does, but it gives me hope that I can be successful too. I also enjoyed reading President Monson’s talk “Attitude of Gratitude”. He talked about Christ’s life and that He had nothing, he didn’t have a home or bed and yet He was the creator of all. He gave everything that He had to share the gospel to those around Him. He asks us to let Him into our homes, He won’t come uninvited, but is willing to be there for us if we will let him in. I think that sometimes we can get so caught up with our own problems that we forget how very blessed we are and that it all comes from God. Because we have been given so much, we should therefor, be more willing to share with those in need also. We need to see past our here and now and look towards the hereafter so that we can help everyone get there.

week11

I sure liked the reading assignments for this lesson. There is so much out there that pushes business owners to only worry about themselves and leave everyone else to fend for themselves. I completely agree that a business is a little community. It’s like a family and everyone helps out and protects one another. The video “Make it Personal and Make it Work” was especially good. I liked that she brought up places that she has worked and how it was like a community and how they have helped to make things more personal for others.

The book that we have read, A Field Guide for the Hero’s Journey”, was far from what I had expected it to be. I was expecting explanation of ideas. Instead, it was lots of short stories that portrayed the point that the authors were trying to get across. The short stories were nice for breaking up ideas but left me wondering where the authors were going with it. I felt that the other books we have read did a better job explaining this book than this book did for itself.

*Based on what you read in the first two pages (pages 3 and 4), why are virtue and integrity so vital to an economy?

Virtue and integrity are vital because without them no one would trust each other enough to actually do business. The numbers should be presented accurately so that those investing in it will know what they are getting and there will be no surprises.

*According to Charles Handy, what is the “real justification” for the existence of businesses?

Businesses should exist to make a “profit so that the business can do something more or better.”

 *What are two solutions proposed by Handy that you agree with? Why?

I agree that there needs to be more honesty in reporting data. I think that making your reports look better than they actually are only set the company up for failure. Investors will be expecting numbers to raise but when they raise to where they were supposed to be to begin with, it causes distrust and a lose of business.

I also agree that companies should have a cause that they contribute to. I think that it helps to motivate workers to do their best and it also helps to keep everything in perspective. Contributing to a cause can help us feel good about ourselves and notice the blessings that we have around us.

post 10

This week is thanksgiving and so I’m trying to get everything done early so that I can spend time with my family. In class we read some stories about people having to choose between work and family. It caught me off guard, because here I am trying to rush through my important schoolwork. Sometimes I think that we have to just do the best that we can with what we have. Most of the time, I will stop doing schoolwork when the kids come down or need an extra kiss goodnight. This week I have just sent them back to bed. Not that one choice is right and the other is wrong, I think it is just what we need right now. One of the stories was about a dad that had an emergency at work and had to choose between his attending his daughter’s recital and handling the emergency. I’m sure that, just like me, the dad would rather be spending time with his children but has some things that need to get done first. By getting my work done now, the rest of the week can be focused on family. If I wait, I will worry about getting it done and turned in on time. Family is still my first priority, and by getting this done now, I will be able to completely focus on them when it matters.

§  What is your attitude toward money?

My attitude is that it’s a means to an end. I don’t want it to show off, I just want to pay off loans and have what we need. I think that I am more like the author than the sister in that I also think it’s important to keep track of it and have plans for it.

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

If I loved money than I may give up important things to have it. As it is, I don’t always see things as a need when others might see it as such. It’s hard to give to others when you are struggling to provide for yourself and family.

§  What rules are recommended for prospering?

§  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.

week 9

I have to admit that it was really hard to stay focused on the readings this week. With each paragraph that I read, I thought of different things that I could do to improve family businesses or start my own. I'm not sure that was the point of the readings, but I saw how, with a little push, some of these small dwindling businesses could grow again if they wanted to. It's really quite exciting to think about.
Being able to interview an entrepreneur this week was a very special opportunity. I interviewed a dear friends father, who happens to be a very successful lawyer and businessman. He has always been so humble and down to earth that i hadn't known that just how successful is has been. Lots of awards and honors, as well as, published articles and interviews. I had only discovered these things about him because I googled his name. He didn't mention them in the interview, but since I had just discovered them, it made me quite a bit more nervous about doing the interview. He talked about the best part of his job was helping people. Especially being able to help the young children that were hurt through no fault of their own. Throughout the interview, I realized that although he was well off, it wasn't about the money. He enjoyed his job. He is also a very religious person and I noticed that family aways stayed as his top priority. I think that, because he kept his priorities in the correct order, he was very blessed.
This man was a great example of how to be successful, without allowing the success to rule your life. He was humble, helpful and very encouraging to me in going back to school with a family. I hope that I can always keep my priorities in order and have a great attitude as he has.

week 8

As I read this weeks lesson, I was very impressed by an article titled “A Message to Garcia”.  It talks about being the person with the ability to execute. This is very true since companies aren’t looking to hire people who are unwilling to take some initiative and do the work. The article says that we are in a world of underachievers who, for whatever reason, are unwilling to put in the work. He points out the “imbecility of the average man” that can’t accept a task without asking a bunch of questions that could be found by simply doing the task. As I read through it, I found myself wanting to be the one that can execute. I want to be the one that people can turn to when they need things done. We all have the desire to be great and important, but not very many are willing to put forth the effort that it would take to get there.

 Another article talked about going from good to great. I think that this goes along with the other article in that for these things to happen, we have to put in the effort. I’m not completely sure that I have what it takes to be great, but I do have the desire to be. Maybe with this new knowledge and a renewed effort and sense of purpose it can happen for me.