Balancing Life

“We have the responsibility to be prepared, to be productive, to be faithful, and to be fruitful as well (Thomas S. Monson).” How do we do all of this? How do we maintain balance in our lives with the many responsibilities we have? A way to balance our lives and careers successfully is to love what we do. Ann Miura-Ko, in her video “Is Work/Life Balance Possible,” stated that it is always a struggle to balance work and life, but that when we are passionate about our work, and we believe that what we are doing will be worth it in the end, then it will feel like taking time away from family is a “worthy trade off.”

This week helped me reflect on what entrepreneurial life will be like. It helped me reflect on what I need to focus on in order to be a successful entrepreneurial. There will be challenges no doubt, but if I prepare myself ahead of time to know when to cut back or press forward I will save myself and others a lot of trouble. Being that keeping a balance between an entrepreneurial career and life will be a struggle, I need to make sure to figure out now how I will measure my success now. I need to figure out what combination of family time, and wealth will be the most rewarding for me. The reason that I need to make sure I make this point clear is that when I am faced with adversary I can evaluate where I am at and make the necessary changes to maintain a balanced life and keep everyone as happy as possible. I hope to get this figured out early in my entrepreneurial journey so I can save myself a lot of future trouble.

The big entrepreneurial dream...

This week we were faced with the question “what is at the heart of entrepreneurship?” In their article, The Heart of Entrepreneurship, Howard H. Stevenson, and David E. Gumpert, explained “everybody wants to be innovative, flexible, and creative,” yet many fail in their pursuit. So why might this happen? What I understood to be the answer to this question and to the question of “what is at the heart of entrepreneurship” is a person’s mindset and behavior. It is okay for us to want to be innovative, flexible, creative, and to dream big dreams, but if we do not examine our behaviors and mentalities to be in par with an entrepreneurs then we are setting ourselves for failure. In order for us to be successful entrepreneurs it is necessary for us to seize up opportunities, and to accept change and make the most of it and find ways to profit from it. When we learn to apply these principles to match entrepreneurs we contribute ideas and innovation that help bring about competition and productivity in our society.

         In pursuing our big dreams and entrepreneurial dreams, when we have the positive mindset to grow, sacrifice, and persevere, we need to make sure that our behavior is responsive to these thoughts. We can want and dream many things, but if we don’t actually act then we will most likely never attain those things. In the article, The Challenge to Become, Dallin H. Oaks mentioned that it is not just enough for us to believe, but that we must seek to become it. He went on to say that, “What is important in the end is what we have become by our labors.” This was one of my favorite quotes this week. I agree that in the end what will matter the most will be how we decided to spend our days doing, and what we ended up becoming. This motivates me more to continue to dream big and pursue my entrepreneurial dreams. 

Loyalty & Leadership

This week as I was reading about loyalty and leadership, I reflected a lot on my level of loyalty and how I was able to lead because of it. Thinking back, due to my high level of loyalty and willingness to get the job done, my employers had felt confident in giving me more tasks to fulfill, and entrusted me with the power to lead. As I read this week, I realized how essential loyalty is to leadership. We must be true and loyal in all of our dealings with others and with ourselves. When people come to know that you are a person that can be counted on to get the job done effectively, they will gravitate towards you. This is essential in entrepreneurial leadership, where we will be required to perform effectively. I gained great insights about the ability to execute from the reading, “A message to Garcia.” There is no greater feeling than being entrusted to take on a new task or project because you can be depended on to take on the job and run with it. Part of properly executing a job is to learn to delegate important tasks to others who are capable. For some of us this may be a difficult thing to do, but we need to teach and lead to the best of our ability and trust that things will get done. Leaders who are honest and loyal are always sought for. As mentioned in “Leadership with a Small ‘L,’” the three great principles that we will need in life to successfully lead are, lead by example, lead with a vision, and lead with love. These three principles will help us lead in our homes, in our communities, and in our own entrepreneurial ventures. I know that I will continue to strive to be loyal in all of my dealings and to lead by example, and with love. I hope to always remember these key principles and use them in my entrepreneurial journey. 

Overcoming Challenges

Overcoming challenges is not an easy task for me. I always tend to sell myself short. This week taught me why it’s important to overcome challenges and not give up. When we give up we rob ourselves from achieving our true potential. The readings this week motivated me to not give up, despite how long or hard the journey may be. The one quote that I loved the most from the readings that helped me put this in perspective was the one by President Thomas S. Monson that stated, “in the private sanctuary of one’s own conscience lies that spirit, that determination to cast off the old person and to measure up to the stature of true potential.” This defines that it is only me verses me. It is up to each of us individually to make the sacrifices required to persevere. We each have within us what it takes to master ourselves, and engage ourselves in the path to achieving our true potential.

            Now achieving our goals and maximum potential will not come easy. Jeffrey R. Holland said, “Excellence does not come easily or quickly.” It requires sacrifices, and hard work, but when we overcome these obstacles, we learn and grow.  It is said that the only limitations we have are those we set on ourselves. We have all the necessary tools and information right in front of us it is just a matter of us looking and using them to our advantage.

            This week taught me the importance of not underestimating myself. I have all the necessary tools to succeed, especially the most resourceful help which is Heavenly Father whom I should especially not underestimate. I need to trust in the Lord, and in myself and know that I can do amazing things. This gives me comfort and excitement in moving forward in my entrepreneurial journey. 

"Moving Forward with a Driving Passion"

 This week I learned valuable lessons that will help me move forward in life with more passion. I have been learning about sacrifices and the qualities it takes to become an entrepreneur. This week I was able to focus on why going into the business world would matter. It helped me reflect on the real reasons behind pursuing a business degree. It also helped me think about my goals in life and measure the passion I have towards them. 

The accumulative lessons I learned that will help me strive with a deeper passion are:

(1.)         “Be true to yourselves and the best you have within you.”

(2.)         “Your goals should be about changing the world.”

(3.)         “Trust, too, is fragile. Like a piece of china, once cracked it is never quite the same.”

As simple as these lessons are if I ponder and strive to always have these in mind, and apply them to my life, I will live a more fulfilling life. These lessons are something that is easy to forget or look over, but these lessons are the motor to keep us going in the right path in pursue our life long dreams. These three quotes are great lessons that I needed to be reminded of. Not only do I need to live life righteously, but also I need to make sure that I stay true to myself and to others. I need to be a person who can be trusted upon and stay that way because people will feel most comfortable around me and be willing to help me. I also need to think that in everything I do, even in business, I need to keep in mind that my intentions should be to change the world for the better. I need to find ways to better serve others and better serve the Lord.

I am grateful for the simple, yet vital lessons I learn in my entrepreneurial journey that will help me not just in business career aspect, but in life as well. I am excited to learn more lessons that can help me like this one.