Dream Big Dreams

Another week has come and gone. I am enjoying this entrepreneurship course. This week, President Dallin H. Oaks taught us in the article “The Challenge to Become”, that the gospel of Jesus Christ challenges us to become something.  The Final Judgement, President Oaks declares, “is an acknowledgement of our acts and thoughts – what we have become.” We qualify for eternal life though a process of conversion, he added. The Savior told Peter what we can do when converted to the gospel. In Luke 22: 33-34, the Lord teaches this principle: When we are converted to the gospel of Jesus Christ, we can strengthen others.  President Oaks taught: The Savior referred to what they [Nephites] must become. He adds, “… we are challenged to move through a process of conversion toward that status and condition called eternal life.” This is achieved, he says, by doing it for the right reason—for the pure love of Christ.

Also, I learned this week through a Harvard Business Review article titled “The Heart of Entrepreneurship” by Howard Stevenson, that there are four external pressures which stimulate recognition: Technology, Consumer economics, Social values, Political action and regulatory standards.

  

In addition, Marissa Meyer, VP of Search Products & Users Experience at Google, discusses in the video “License to Pursue Dreams” the opportunity that Google provides all employees by setting aside 20% (or 1 day per week) of an employee’s time for creative projects. By her assessment, nearly half of the Google’s most recent launches came from ideas sparked during this unstructured time. This is a powerful statement. According to Meyer the company really trusts their employees, as the company encourage them to be creative, and really wants them to explore whatever it is that they want to explore. Ultimately this opportunity fuels a huge amount of creativity and innovation.

   

Lastly, the Launching Leaders series discusses Woody Woodward’s “Your Emotional Fingerprint” as Jimmy Richie finds new friends and mentors that teach him to discover new things about himself.  This book shows exactly how to determine your own unique emotional fingerprint (and those of others in your life) and leverage its power to find happiness and success in your life. Also, Richie recommends the book to build and strengthen on how you take control of your life, revolutionize your relationships, and beat the odds. The book helps you discover how to turn any negative situation into a positive experience.

Disciple Leadership

This week was full of learning and applying the new concepts and ideas as I apply them into my Hero’s journey to entrepreneurship. I appreciated reading and pondering about Elder David A. Bednar’s article titled “A Disciple Preparation Center”.  Elder Bednar provided great insights on the similarities between a missionary training center (MTC) and Brigham Young University – Idaho as a Discipline Preparation Center (DPC). He highlighted a few characteristics such as: both centers are isolated geographic area, both missionaries and BYU-Idaho students are enrolled for a relatively short period of time, the learning and teaching are focused and intense, distinctive requirements for demeanor, dress, and both centers are located near temples. The fact that I am part of this sacred and set apart place has an immense value to me, as well as having access to unparallel spiritual resources that can assist me and those who attend BYU-I in developing and deepening our devotion as disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Another great reading covered this week that resonated with me was through President Kim B. Clark’s article titled “Leadership with a Small L”. President Clark describes small “L” leadership and small “D” discipleship at BYU-Idaho as how the Savior exemplifies this type of leadership and how it is needed in our homes, families, communities and business throughout the world.  President Clark taught that the call to be a disciple-leader is a call to minister and to serve. It is a leadership that builds and lifts through kindness and love and unselfish devotion to the Lord and His work. As part of this small “L” leadership and discipleship, he outlines three principles: Principle #1: Lead by Example, Principle #2: Lead with Vision; Principle #3:  Lead with Love. After reading this article, I pray that I may always be disciple of the Savior and lead by example with vision and love.

In addition, I learned great business strategies on the article titled “Good to Great” by Jim Collins. Mr. Collins outlined three very simple success and strategies to commit to a standard of excellence founded around these statements: Disciplined People – getting the right people in business and then keeping them focused on excellence. Disciplined Thought – being honest about facts and avoiding temptation. Disciplined Action – realizing what is important to achieve and what is not. 

Finally, a great lesson was taught through the article titled “A Message to Garcia – Will you deliver it? Lieutenant, Andre Summers Rowan, was sent to Cuba alone with an important mission -- to carry a message to Garcia – as Garcia was the leader of the Cuban militia. The president of the U.S. at the time, William McKinley needed Garcia’s help for the war effort. Rowan was the individual suggested to deliver the important message. Rowan’s acceptance of his task was without question, by carrying out his duty and desire to carry out the mission without delays. These are traits that all men and women should follow and strive for. Rowan’s trustworthy, and his responsibilities of hard work and commitment, make young people into responsible members of society.

Overcoming Challenges

This week was full of new insights about how to overcome challenges in my hero’s journey to entrepreneurship. I know that resistance, setbacks, and disappointments will be abound in my journey. As I learn to apply my true identify and conviction will help me emerge from this critical and challenging process and become a stronger leader and entrepreneur. From this week’s reading selection, A Field Guide for the Hero’s Journey, I learned that it is through setbacks, obstacles, and challenges that will helps us build mental, emotional, and spiritual muscles. Paul writes to the Romans 5: 3-4: “… but we glory tribulations also; knowing that tribulation worketh patience; and patience, experience; and experience, hope: …” Jeff Sandefer says that our goal is important, but it is how you reach your goal, has the potential to transform my very self. At the end, Sandefer suggests “… you not only achieve something great but also become something great.” Sandefer challenge new entrepreneurs to fail early, often, and as cheaply as possible. These challenges are necessary means for developing the faith and persistence to overcome the real challenges that inevitably confront any person who has set out to do something heroic.

  

These thoughts were expanded as I read the article titled “Looking Back and Moving Forward” by Pres. Thomas S. Monson.  As a humble prophet of the Lord, with all the demands which come with the office of President, President Monson earnestly prayed that he might continue to be worthy instrument in the Lord’s hands to carry on this great work and to fulfill the tremendous responsibilities as a prophet, leader, and president. President Monson invites all to cast off the old person and to measure up to the stature of true potential. His invitation Is to reach out in the pure love of Christ and express our desire to assist and welcome everyone into full fellowship. “Let us lift you and cheer you and calm your fears.” The Lord invites us all to come unto Him and “find rest … for my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” Matthew 11: 28-30. Like President Monson and all the prophets of any dispensation will continue to be great examples of leadership, humility, dedication, sacrifice and steadfast faith as they all testified that our Heavenly Father loves all His children as He wants them to be successful and have joy in this life.

  

The address that sister and Elder Holland talks on “However Long and Hard the Road” is a great reminder that rather than giving up or quitting, when difficulties or challenges come our way, the Lord is asking us to stick with it, persevere, to hang in and hang on and to reap our reward. In the scriptures we find similar counsel as the Lord teach us: “Wherefore, be not weary in well-doing, for ye are laying the foundation of a great work. And out of small things proceedeth that which is great.” D&C 64: 33. 

"It will be all right in the end. Trust God and believe in good things to come." Elder Holland

   

I believe that these principles that we discussed this week around overcoming challenges will all be beneficial in helping me become a successful businessman and a good leader.

Moving Forward with A Driving Passion

I truly enjoyed this week’s reading resources and videos as a consideration to why I would want to go into business and my hopes to accomplish these efforts. I learned from President Gordon B. Hinckley’s on “Stand True and Faithful” as he encouraged “about being true to the faith, about being true to ourselves and associates, and being true to our parents and heritage, and about being true to the Church and to our Heavenly Father and His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ.” As the world is changing, he reminded of the true reasons we receive education in order to prepare and equip ourselves for these changes and the work we are currently engaged, and for the work we will do in the future. President Hinckley warned us against any involvement in immorality. He said that “if we will let virtue garnish our thoughts, we shall stand with confidence in the presence of God. Our dominion shall be an everlasting dominion. (D&C 121: 45-26).” He went on to say “to be true to one another, your friends and associates. Look for the good in those about you and emphasize that good.” Pres. Hinckley encouraged us to look to the Church and its leaders for counsel and direction. He reminded us that the Lord is there to help us. “Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest”. Matthew 11: 28.

   

Also, I learned this week to evaluate my passion for work and business. The 7-Habits of highly effective People by Stephen Covey is a great reminder how to organize and conduct personal change. In pursuit of personal effectiveness, most people try to change of two things: their behavior or their attitude. However, the only true solution for real change is the recognition and changing of our personal “paradigm” or pattern of perception by which we view the world. Stephen Covey teach us as the Seven Habits of Highly Effective People are: Be Proactive, Begin with the end in mind, Put first things first, Think win/win, Seek first to understand, then to be understood, Synergize, Sharpen the Saw. I am thankful that I own and have read this book as part of my favorite book collection. The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People gets many things right as it continues to be an important personal development resource.

   

Another great resource reviewed this week was Guy Kawasaki’s comparison between “Passion vs. Money”. In this video, Guy remind us that whatever we build, it’s all about passion and less about money. Kawasaki likes to approach any growth opportunity with a special consideration on “changing the world and just have the optimistic belief that if you do indeed change the world you will make money too.”

   

In addition, another highlight should be given to another great reading for Mastery written by George Leonard. This book provides the blueprint to master anything, like a personal skill, talent, exercise, learn a sport, or ways to become a better student. Being successful at anything is about engaging in the process that George Leonard maps our in Mastery. Great reading and learning resource!