Three Last Words

When I think about the most important things I've learned in life, whether they are spiritual or temporal, there are three principles that stand out. When applied, I've found they lead to some level of success in no matter what it was I set out to do. The first principle that has always brought me success, and if not success, then peace, is the practice of making the main thing the main thing. By that I mean God.

            For those who are religious, daily communication with a higher power, or in my case, our Heavenly Father, is as necessary to happiness and success as water is to life. I did not always do all of the spiritual things I needed to do at the same time, but by keeping my relationship with God at the top of all of my lists life was easier and bearable. When dark times came, and they did, and they will, it was easy for the main thing to get lost in the clouds of darkness. Sometimes, bad things happen, and it feels like there is no way out. Even if we can't reach up to where we once kept our focus, the foundation of faith we have in God and His love for us will carry us through the deepest of valleys when we cannot climb to our own feet. No matter what career journey we choose in life, whether it involves entrepreneurial paths or company positions, our relationship and belief in a higher, sustaining power will influence how we act and how we finish the endgame.

            The second principle necessary in succeeding is a lot of fun, but it requires faith: Dream a dream. The world would hold us down. It will tell you that dreams only come true in Disney films. That is one of the greatest fallacies today. While goals are the steps that lead to success, every goal starts as a wish or a want that was once a dream.

            When I was a teenager, I had serious social anxieties that inhibited my social life and desire to get a first job. My parents and other adult mentors tried to provide opportunities for me to work. One time, I was recommended for a job interview with a local lawyer. I had zero skills and no experience. Desperate as I was, my shyness kept me from confidently insisting that I could learn whatever needed to be done in the office. Instead, when the lawyer asked me what I wanted to do with my life, I blurted out that I planned to go to college and be a social worker, join the Peace Corp, serve a mission for my church, and then write novels the rest of my days. He laughed. And then in the cruelest act ever he looked me in the eye and asked me if I seriously thought I would ever be able to do those things. He insisted I acknowledge it was foolishness. He insisted I say it. I didn't get the job.

That lawyer, he had no idea of the damage he inflicted, but I held on to my dreams. It took a lot of time, faith, prayer, trial and error, and growth, but I proved him wrong. I went to college. I majored in Social Work. I gave up a church mission in my youth to marry a man who had a goal to serve a mission when he retired. That worked for me. I didn't join the Peace Corp, but I did travel, and I lived a life focused on charity. I wrote books. And God willing I will continue to do so the rest of my days. Dreams are the shoes that goals lace up and wear to get going. Don't ever let anyone tell you that what you want to accomplish cannot be done.

The third most important principle for success is also simple: work. It's a four letter word both literally and figuratively. Nobody wants to sweat and get dirty. Work is hard and sometimes painful, but from my earliest days of doing demanding and monotonous childhood chores to later running a household for six, hard work always ended in satisfaction.

As a writer, I have spent up to a year working on one draft of a manuscript. It required hours a day of my free time and even my not-so-free time. I didn't have time to socialize or keep up hobbies. I didn't have time for very much at all! The grueling amount of work and incalculable hours it took to create my first novel rewarded me 80 rejections letters and two years of searching for a publisher. It is the most diminutive moment of my publishing career, yet it is the greatest work I ever accomplished. If it doesn't hurt, it doesn't require great sacrifice, then you're not working hard enough. Work builds the dreams that God blesses to come true.

So that's it. Honor God. Dream big. Work hard. It's not a magic formula and one size doesn't fit all, but with the right adjustments reaching goals and finding success become more than possibilities. They become reality.

           

Lessons Learned

This week I read and wrote a report on the book, A Field Guide for the Hero's Journey. This book taught me how to look at each goal I set in life as an adventure. Some of these journeys may be easy, some of them may seem impossible. Being mindful of each step, especially of stones in the road or giants of despair can help me to get through that phase and move forward. I plan to keep this book as a resource and feel inspired to give it to one of my young friends struggling in his life.

I also took a great deal of inspiration away from President Thomas S. Monson's talk, "Finishers Wanted." I loved the way he shared scripture stories to illustrate how some of the most noble of men faltered, and how some of the greatest men finished the course. This week I learned that I can choose how I want to face obstacles in my life and in my career, and by keeping God at the forefront of all my decisions, I can do what's right and what matters most.

Lessons Not Learned

As I finish this first business class, I am aware of some things I have yet to learn. I need to learn how to actually write and format a business plan. I need to become more familiar with different types of computer programs that are essential to running a properly organized business. My confidence has grown from this course, so I am not afraid of learning these new things. I look forward to my next business class and all the things I will learn that will help me on my way.

Lessons Learned

This week provided some interesting new finds based on one of the earlier lessons that featured a video with Guy Kawasaki. I noticed a podcast featuring him as a guest on a social media newsletter I follow. I decided to listen to the 45 minute podcast and was amazed at how much information I gathered about using Twitter, as well as how personable and real Guy is on the air. I started following him on Twitter, and it has been interesting to see the kind of information he shares. It's a variety of interests, but it all represents who he is both as a real person and entrepreneur. I've already started to put some of his advice into action and plan to do more this weekend through Tumblr which he also uses.

Lessons Not Learned

This week I wrote a book report on So You Want To Be An Entrepreneur. It was hard to find a lot to write about because the book is mostly exercises. While I did gain a new perspective into who I am and what skills I have that can help me be an entrepreneur, I don't feel like I really grasped a game plan from the book. I plan to read it again, and I hope to find a way to learn how to set up a plan for starting up new projects and ideas. Pre-planning and organization are something I try to do well, but I know I need a lot of improvement if I'm going to be successful.

Lessons Learned

This week the focus of the readings was directed toward consecration, which I thought was an interesting concept to add to the idea of entrepreneurship and a career in the business world. I really felt connected to the idea that consecration is not necessarily charity, but a giving back to the world in a way that goes beyond handouts, whether through time, means, or even innovation. I was deeply moved by the video "Entrepreneurship and Consecration, as I was able to see a physical example of how a successful life can save others. This week I learned that my success is life is not just for me, but a tool that God can use to improve and even save the lives of others. It was a powerful message and instilled in me the desires to have righteous motives for success.

Lessons Not Learned

One of the things I realized I still have yet to decide was how to narrow down exactly what I want to do with my career and new degree. I have three goals, but they are more desires and options than a clear vision. A part of me is afraid to narrow my career mission down to one thing, but in the back of mind is the lesson on knowing when to quit and that it's okay to change course as long as you get to where you want to be. I would like to have a resolute decision by the time I graduate, so I know what one thing I should focus on most. The most important thing for me, is that my choice will make me happy and bring me success in the long run that I can use in a positive way.

Lessons Learned

This week I learned some interesting concepts from other entrepreneurs in the readings and videos in class. Randy Komisar explained the ratio between money and power versus time and happiness. He suggests that the more money and power one has, the less time and happiness. I learned to think of balance in life as dynamic--always changing, rather than a static concept or idea. One of the best lessons I learned this week was to never put myself in a situation where I can't say no. It thought that was very wise counsel.

Lessons Not Learned

I am still struggling with how to balance all of the things I need to do each week. I did better disciplining myself to set aside just a small amount of time if necessary to work in thing I need to continue doing even with school and homemaking responsibilities, but I still have not managed to juggle it all, including exercising on the regular schedule I have been trying to keep. Another thing I have not learned how to do this week although I am working on it, is how to communicate better and more patiently with a member of my family. It's hard trying to be a student, parent, homemaker, and pursue a career on top of keeping obligations to the Lord and myself.