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!

Success Is Gauged by Self-Mastery

This week I very much appreciated Elder Tanner’s address title “Success Is Gauged by Self-Mastery”. The phrase that accurately sums up the point in this message is found within the article: “The Lord is always looking for men in whom He can place His full confidence, who can represent Him in the mission field, and men who can be rusted in every way and who are prepared to help build His kingdom.” (Tanner, N. Eldon). Elder Tanner said: “… as you accepted the priesthood you made a covenant with the Lord that you would honor the priesthood and live worthy of it.” To accomplish this great and divine task, Elder Tanner continues, is to conquer self. He then quoted a few philosophers: “The first and best victory is to conquer self; to be conquered by self is, of all things, the most shameful and vile” (Plato); “He who cannot establish dominion over himself will have no dominion over others” (da Vinci); “He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city” (Prov 16: 32).  Elder Tanner suggests that “we must never relax or forget who we are and what we are trying to accomplish.” As we continue to honor the priesthood and remain worthy to have the priesthood in our lives, the Lord will continue to trust and place His confidence on us so that we can help Him bless the lives of others through service and sacrifice. I am indeed thankful for this principle of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

   

Another fundamental principle that I was reminded this week is the loyalty to God, wife and family are the most critical priorities in our lives. I enjoyed watching Jan Newman's video https://vimeo.com/28075977 as Newman suggested to take care of business in these areas. Newman warns us not to pass on opportunities to serve in callings because we are too busy with life and our professional careers. Because we need the Lord’s help, He’ll know where our hearts are, and they won’t be on His side.

   

Also, I enjoyed watching the “Three Lesson About What It Means to Be an Entrepreneur” by Wences Casares. He shares three most important insights as Casares counsels that 1) Entrepreneurship is a calling that chooses us—it is inescapable. 2) Time is our most valuable asset and 3) Entrepreneurs create the most value by doing the same thing for a very long time.

  

Finally, after reading the article titled “Don’t Jump in Unprepared”, I learned there are three areas of knowledge that are critical for starting a successful business: 1. In-depth knowledge of the competitive structure of an industry and a network of contact within that industry; 2. The skills to run that daily operations of a small, rapidly growing company; and 3. The ability to raise capital. This reading taught me a few great lessons. The fact that almost without exception, when it comes to industry knowledge we must be immersed in an industry for years to pick up nuances. Regarding day-to-day operations, if the company is flawed, almost any strategy is in jeopardy. As for raising capital, reputation is everything. “A good money raiser is part salesman, but that salesmanship is built brick by brick on a foundation of competence and honesty”. 

Mastery: Skill, Character, or Luck

This week was filled with great learning, readings, and knowledge associated with becoming an entrepreneur.

   

Jeff Sandefer’s article on Skill, Character or Luck? Discussed the various characteristics of an average entrepreneurs. Important skills were highlighted: “The ability to find good salespeople and manage a sales force”; “Having a firm grasp of which numbers are important”; Knowing how to put together an assembly line or service delivery process”; “Being able to communicate clearly”; “Listening and questioning customers”; “Being a Problem Solver; thinking”, etc. were a few skills mentioned in this article.  I learned that talent and dedication are important traits to entrepreneurship. Other important character traits we outlined: “Basic curiosity”; “Fairness”; “Courage”; “Relentless pursuit of opportunity” were among other traits. Most of the characters and master critical skills for entrepreneurs are perseverance and honesty. However, what made them different from others is that they stayed the course. Day after day; year after year.

   

Another reading that I enjoyed this week as I learned “How You Find Your Passion and How Do you Pursue It?" Randy Komisar highlighted the following questions: What's the ultimate question? What is the ultimate thing that you're going to do with your life? What is the ultimate mark you're going to make? What is the farthest horizon that you can articulate? Then, Randy asked two additional questions on What are my values? What do I care about? This approach gives us directions and guidance. Optimization is ultimately the critical mindset that allow entrepreneurs see the opportunity in front of them. In fact, as entrepreneurs we need to look at all opportunities available to us makes it easier to decide and move forward.

I thought this synchronized nicely to another one of the articles that we studied this week. Elder Faust’s address about the importance of persevering. As I began to read his address, I was impressed that the article would provide important instruction as to organize my life for success; I wasn’t disappointed. Elder Faust listed off blessings of knowledge and habits that come from serving a mission. He mentioned: “How to organize time wisely; the importance of hard work; leadership skills; people skills; the value of gospel study; respect for authority; the importance of prayer; humility and dependability on the Lord” (Faust, James). Elder Faust taught important principles attributed to success, he pointed: “Success is usually earned by persevering and not becoming discouraged when we encounter challenges” (Faust). Life is all about getting up when we get knocked down, if someone is willing to keep fighting, the paths to success will reveal themselves.

Finally, I would like to highlight the three promises in the video “A Hero’s Journey” by Jeff Sandefer: We promised that students will learn; We promise that they will make money; We promise that they have a life of meaning. At the end, students felt they had learned and made money from the principles taught during the Hero’s Journey. However, from a survey conducted with people interviewed that were older than 60 years old said that three following questions are what they were mostly influenced by:

 

1.      Have I contributed to something that was meaningful?

2.      Am I a good person?

3.      Who did I love and who loved me?

  

Upon reflecting on these questions, I realized that as I build my life around the role of an entrepreneur, I need to keep in mind these questions as nothing else will ultimately influence my personal life and my business.

How to Measure My Life

I have really enjoyed this week setting up and accomplishing goals in the past but have never specifically identified and set apart governing principles (Cover Values) to act as the base and support for achieving my goals. The real question comes to life as we have been counseled to “beginning with the end in mind”. Listing long term goals, constantly striving to accomplish short term goals, and accomplishing daily tasks are all parts of how I can effectively measure my life. Thus far the articles and video podcasts presented have said a lot about how to live a good life.

The assignment on Deconstructing my Fear Experience came to heart as I faced my worse fears and learned how to tackle them. I learned that when pursuing your calling with discipline and receiving the help of others will help me not to worry and waste my time on the things I cannot control. As to what is the core of what fear means? For example, my fear of losing and going broke is by far my worst fear. My plan is to mitigate this fear by removing the money question altogether and rather put an emphasis on the skills, talents, and experience I have acquired over the years.

Also, I learned another great insight from Clayton Christensen’s address talks about “allocation choices”. Mr. Christensen suggests using allocation choices as someone may break down on how to spend their personal time, energy, talent, and other resources to shape their lives strategy. Clayton Christensen talks about the natural occurrence that takes place when someone wisely invests their resources he states: “When people who have a high need for achievement...they’ll unconsciously allocate it to activities that yield the most tangible accomplishments” (Christensen). After I had read that statement I asked myself “how do I stimulate my ‘high need for accomplishment’.

In addition, I learned that through this week the book report assignment on Launching Leaders gives people strategies and resources and tools they can be adopted in business and personal life. The book provides practical guidance along with principles that are faith-based which will help people become they want. Hitz introduced to the reader the Cycle of Spiritual Guidance as it spells out exactly what a person needs to do to bring their life into alignment with God. (Hitz, 27). These items include: Discover your true identity, Trust your inner voice, come what may, Have faith to act right away, Be at peace with Heaven’s timing, and Live well. Hitz suggests incorporating the Cycle of Spiritual Guidance into one’s personal foundation to actively believe and trust in a higher power. 

Honesty Business Ethics

This week, I appreciated reading the talk on “Making a Living and a Life” by Lynn G. Robbins.  It is interesting to realize that during Adam and Eve’s time, Satan could not tempt them as they were alone in this world until “the human race began to multiply and he could use competition and comparisons to appeal to the pride of man”. After pondering about this truth, pride is the essence of wickedness and sin. We see it in the Bible, in the Book of Mormon (Helaman 3:33-34), and in today’s society. I learned that as the Lord commanded Adam to make our every day’s living through “the sweat of our face”, we need to be cautioned as the Lord warns of a big difference between God and mammon. Mammon is the “love of money” as it is “the root of all evil” (1 Timothy 6:10). I learned that the real distinction of our motives in the work place are not necessarily what is important to us. Rather, our motives should align with the Lord’s objectives in the work place. May each of us are guided by the Spirit in all our employment decisions:

·         Are building His kingdom including strong and valiant families.

·         Are honest in your dealings with your fellowmen and using your God-given talents in their service.

·         Filling your life with good works, that positively impact your community and world.

The grading scale used by Elder Robbins illustrate accurately the different types of employees, business owners, entrepreneur, leaders, parents, children, etc. I think that an entrepreneur that fall under a Category-A person: reflects a person who loves God, and his fellowmen as himself/herself. Let’s be clear and concise, Category-A person loves to God and fellowmen is the primary motivation and not money. (Jacob 2: 18-19).  In summary, according to Elder Robbins if our primary motivation if love of God and fellowmen, then “the working man or women will be a kingdom builder and a full-tithe payer.”

In addition, I learned an invaluable lesson on the importance and accountability of establishing our personal code of ethics. As we learned last week, our ethical guardrails are the things that we can rely on to keep our heading in the right direction. During this week, I enjoyed establishing my 8-9 “I will never …” and “I will always …” personal ethical guardrails that will guide and keep me safe towards stepping stones and ultimately to my personal star destination.

Last but not least, I like to summarize the Harvard Business School (HBS) article on the accomplishments, success and setups of Magdalena Yesil.  It was a great aha moment for me to read and learn about this incredible woman life’s journey. Magdalena Yesil’s early passion for learning and developing skills launched her career in the direction of starting new companies as well as her investor/partners and business founder opportunities. Leveraging from her solid education, talent, and experience, and later as an entrepreneur and investment partner, Magdalena’s thrived first in turning marketing strategies into product design. Later, she went into creating investments into a variety of technology start-ups and successful business ventures. Yasil attributed her success to her parent’s beliefs that she could do anything she wanted to do, if she was willing to pay the price. With her education background in the engineering industry, she found herself solving every hurdle into a tangible solution. Early in age, Magdalena believed that “gender was irrelevant to accomplishment.” With this in mind, she started as a student immigrant from Istanbul, Turkey who showed up in America with no support, or money but had a good sound destination as a goal star in mind “to pursue a technology career in the United States”. After obtaining her Master Degree in Electrical Engineering, she quickly moved up from company to company, acquiring additional experience and talents. She thrived when working with people and acquiring more knowledge. Later in her career she was developing marketing strategies, tactics, promotions, and advertising campaigns. Magdalena continued with determination and ingenuity allowing her to create her niche in business ventures, investments, starts-ups, and venture capitalist opportunities among other business expertise.

Stars, Steppingstones, & My Calling in Life

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. 

The Start Up of You

Tuesday September 18, 2018 – Proactively contact internal partners prior to launching client kickoff meeting

Today, I felt abandoned and embarrassed as I thought I was ready when I setup my project kickoff client meeting without making sure my technical partners where present (by accepting my meeting invite) and engaged in our new project.

As part of my personal checklist, I completely disregarded the notion that all my technical partners had received and acknowledged their attendance to my client kickoff meeting.     

Refer to Lessons Learned Section

Project manager should allow enough time ahead of the meeting to allow participants and others to gather or compile information for reference. It is best practice to contact internal partners and discuss ideas and valuable information for reference.

Gathering preliminary information and lessons learned meetings are key success criteria for implementing continuous improvement. These reviews give everyone a chance to freely discuss the good and bad aspects of the project so that good practices are repeated and bad practices are eliminated.