This week has taught me several Aha/lessons that I would
like to share in my entrepreneur journal.
After completing this week’s reading assignment
“Launching Leaders, An Empowering Journey for a New Generation – by Steven Hitz”,
there is a reference that stuck out to me that I felt impressed upon to think
about it further. Steven says, “Losing my job made me realize just how deeply
we humans like being wrapped in our personal security blankets, and when those
blankets are ripped away, we can often end up feeling naked, vulnerable and
exposed. That’s exactly how I was feeling.” Having a similar “not-so” great
experience of losing my job 13 years ago, also left me betrayed as my world had
just been taken away. At that moment, I felt as if the message that I was failure,
bad, and disappointed. I had to start my life all over again. Looking back, I
knew this experience was somehow good for me and my family, but I was not
getting the life “specific” lesson. After many hours on my knees along with the
love and guidance of family members and great mentors, the inspiration and
peace came again as clear as day … “to focus on those things that really matter
most in our lives.” During this difficult time, I remembered spending a great
deal of time praying by myself and with my family. They “… help me put
everything into perspective, and I had to focus on what I could learn from this
experience. Although it was hard, I did my best to transform this incredibly
painful time into a chance to renew my faith in and commitment to God.”
Hitz
continues: "The only constant in life is God, which is why it’s so important
that we learn to bring all aspects of our lives into full alignment with His
truth. His timing, and His will.” I could not have said this any better. Thirteen
years later, my relationship with Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ is very
important in my life today. I enjoy living the gospel, working to constantly
increase my faith, serving in my calling along with others, and doing all that
I can to be in full alignment with the Lord’s will. Nothing else matters. That
is the only way we find peace, and feel good about ourselves and other around us.
Also, I have now a bucket
list of 50 incredible things that I can plan to do. This was a fun activity
that helped me understand myself better as well as appreciate the time that we
are given in this life. There are great things in store.
Another lesson learned that stuck out to me was through the “Reality
Checks” section. Jeff Sandefer makes the point: “Visions are not dreams, they
are a reality that you hope to create.” This is important to me because I
thought my dreams were fictional and unimportant thoughts. It appears this is
far from being the truth. This concept is further evidence that my top three items
in my bucket list are: 1. Our Own Successful Business; 2. Our Own Successful
Paper Asset Investments; 3. Our Own Successful Real Estate Investments.
I am thankful that I selected to take this course in my life
as it is truly another manifestation to solidify my entrepreneurial strategies and
plans while creating my realities and visions in my life.
§
Why do you think Randy Pausch
was able to achieve so many of his childhood dreams?
I like how Randy
separated the so-called difficulties in our lives versus the brick walls that
have been purposely put in place “to let us show our dedication”. These walls
are there for those who don’t want to achieve their childhood dreams.” Randy
said: “The best of the gold is at the bottom of barrels of crap.” There are a
few principles to lead your life so your childhood dreams become a reality.
There are: Show gratitude. Don’t complain. Be good at
something, it makes you valuable. Work hard, Find the best in everybody. Be
prepared (Luck is truly where preparation meets opportunity).
He continues: “It’s not about how to achieve your dreams.
It’s about how to lead your life. If you lead your life the right way, the karma
will take care of itself. The dreams will come to you.”
§ Do you feel that dreaming is
important? Why or why not?
I believe that dreams are important as they are the essence of our
character, personality, and well-being. According to Sigmund Freud, dreams are
the royal road to the unconscious. He believed they held huge significance to
our unconscious thoughts, feelings and desires. When we are dreaming, we are
actually thinking, but on a much deeper and focused level; than when we’re awake.
§ Discuss at least one of your
childhood dreams. Explain why you believe you can or cannot achieve this dream.
Every since I remember, I wanted to live far
where no one would know me. As a child, my parents traveled with our family and
visited many places around my hometown. This fascinated me as I loved traveling
and exploring different people. Later in my life, my dreams persisted as I
wanted to discover other countries and broaden my horizons creating my future
outside and marrying my wife from another country. I thought it should be
beautiful, perfect, and amazing to combine our cultures into one. When I was 18
years old, my parents funded an opportunity to explore the world through an exchange
student program. Living for 1 year in North Carolina, as an exchange student
was dreams started to shape up and become a reality. Ten years later, I married
my beautiful wife, in the Washington D. C Temple as our children have served as
missionaries for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints.
