As I think about changing my habits, good or bad, there are many experiences that flood my mind. Moments I wish I could change, words I would take back, help I would give. Sadly I have been a reactionary person for many years. Through the gospel of Jesus Christ I know that I am given the chance to be renewed and recieve repentance. I know that for my children, my husband, and myself I need to change to become proactive. Slowly over the last few years experiences have come into view that show me I need to make a change. I have realized that I am capable of this, but it seems so difficult. A friend once told me that when they became a parent they just made the decision never to yell or be angry. And they never did. I wish it were that easy for me. I know as I look back I have been able to make different decisions in the swell of the moment but not every time. With patience, and the Savior's love I know that each day gives me another chance to try again.
In the book 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen R. Covey it says, "Each person has the ability to be either reactive or proactive in every situation that arises. This is the true meaning of “response-ability” - the ability to choose our own response. Proactive people are highly responsible. Proactivity means to subordinate impulses to values. Reactive people are swept away by the heat of the moment. Proactive people are driven by values that are both well thought out and internalized. Often, the most difficult circumstances become crucibles that forge our character and develop hidden reserves of strength. What matters most in life is not what happens to us, but how we respond to whatever happens."
The 7 Habits are:
1. Be Proactive
2. Begin With the End in Mind
3. First things First
4. Think Win-Win
5. Seek to Understand, then be Understood
6. Create Synergy
7. Sharpen the Saw
Tuesday, February 19, 2019
Tuesday, February 12, 2019
Be a 100 Percenter!
N. Eldon Tanner told a story about a grandson that chose to keep the sabbath day holy and go to church. This grandson was proud of himself and made this choice for some time. He told his grandfather that he had been a 100 percenter. His grandfather then promised the deacon age young man that he would pay for his mission if he continued to be a 100 percenter until that time. The boy never missed a sunday.
I appreciate the rest the sabbath day gives me. It is already a habit to attend church. This story makes me wonder about other areas of my life that are important. How can I remain a 100 percenter when it comes to these? I want to be able to say I'm a 100 percenter when it comes to other qualities such as integrity, honesty, kindness, and confidence. I worry that I postpone working on these qualities because I need money. Often I think about the good I could do if I were able to buy more or pay for more. At one point I would list to myself the things I wish I could do with the money I didn't have. I have realized the Lord does not expect me to earn money, he expects me to serve others now with what I have.
DC 64:34 says,
33 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.
34 Behold, the Lord requireth the heart and a willing mind;
Sweet Shop
After years of waiting and watching the 'opening soon' sign the pink door finally changed to say 'we're open!' I took the kids recently to test out the product. They were overly cheerful as we walked up the rainbow painted sidewalk into the sweet shop. Kimberlee wants to go into Interior Design after High School so after we ordered a handful of desserts on the menu we sat discussing the business. We talked about the design, the layout of the building, the menu items, the flavors of the food, the competition, the prices, and the location. Then we wondered if it will last. My bet is not good. While some areas are well done others are entirely lacking.
After studying this week I wondered if the sweet shop had a business plan and what process was used. According to the Action Foundation there are three areas of knowledge that should be considered when starting a successful business. They are:
1 An in-depth knowledge of the competitive structure of an industry and a network of contacts within that industry.
2 The skills to run the daily operations of a small, rapidly growing company.
3 The ability to raise money.
If possible look at the industry you want to join. Find a job for a company that is doing something similar and learn everything you can. Hopefully following this advice and coming up with a good business plan would prevent you from failing. I would add my own advice, remember to consider the businesses you go into. What stands out and what would you change?
After studying this week I wondered if the sweet shop had a business plan and what process was used. According to the Action Foundation there are three areas of knowledge that should be considered when starting a successful business. They are:
1 An in-depth knowledge of the competitive structure of an industry and a network of contacts within that industry.
2 The skills to run the daily operations of a small, rapidly growing company.
3 The ability to raise money.
If possible look at the industry you want to join. Find a job for a company that is doing something similar and learn everything you can. Hopefully following this advice and coming up with a good business plan would prevent you from failing. I would add my own advice, remember to consider the businesses you go into. What stands out and what would you change?
Saturday, February 9, 2019
What Is your Purpose?
Pay no attention to finding one passion, he says. We each have many gifts and abilites. Life is full of opportunities so take advantage and learn everything you can. Realize that you will complete many goals therefore there is not one ultimate thing you will accomplish.
Randy also has suggestions to guide you. He says to ask yourself two questions. "What are my values? What do I care about?...Think about the horizon, rather than a point on the horizon...Look at what direction you are facing. What are the opportunities in front of you if you face this way. How do they sync up with the passions that you have today?" Thinking this way would clear the mind and create an area of involvment. It would be easy to look at the talents and abilities you have and look to an area you want to work in, then progress forward. Questions disappear and decisions become clearer when we take steps forward. If we don't move towards anything then we won't know if a decision is good or bad.
Well, where do you start? A Hero's Journey teaches how to find a starting point. Ask 5 friends what you are really good at. This gives an idea of what skills you have and what areas you could be successful at. "If you can find your most precious God-given gifts and where they intersect with finding great joy you'll be very close to your calling. Ask yourself, what need calls out to your heart? What problem do you feel you were put on this earth to solve? There you will find your calling.
Saturday, February 2, 2019
Do It or Stop Talking About It
Sharon Mays is an entrepreneur. After throwing out an idea for years her mother told her, "you talk about this all day long...what are you so scared of either do it or stop talking about it." Sharon followed her own dreams and opened a drive-through salad restaurant in Austin, Texas.
Growing up I have listened to many people in the family throw out great ideas for products or businesses to each other but it ends there. Obviously not all ideas are worth looking into but I wonder why some people don't follow their ideas especially if they could be a success. I realize knowledge could be a contributor but I think fear is a big stopper when it comes to the unknown. I had to make a list this week of fear's I have when it comes to a opening a business. Then I had to list what I was going to do about it. This was a good exercise for me to think through problems related to my ideas that can arise and what would make it difficult for me to continue opening the business. I've learned that I am going to have to follow Sharon Mays example of someone who was fearless and willing to face the challenges of opening and running her own business. I hope that when the time comes I can be brave. I hope that I will be able to 'Do it.'
Growing up I have listened to many people in the family throw out great ideas for products or businesses to each other but it ends there. Obviously not all ideas are worth looking into but I wonder why some people don't follow their ideas especially if they could be a success. I realize knowledge could be a contributor but I think fear is a big stopper when it comes to the unknown. I had to make a list this week of fear's I have when it comes to a opening a business. Then I had to list what I was going to do about it. This was a good exercise for me to think through problems related to my ideas that can arise and what would make it difficult for me to continue opening the business. I've learned that I am going to have to follow Sharon Mays example of someone who was fearless and willing to face the challenges of opening and running her own business. I hope that when the time comes I can be brave. I hope that I will be able to 'Do it.'
I’ll need to remember ‘The Formula’ for success from Steven Hitz book Launching Leaders.
This is a combination of advice to Steven from David B. Haight and J. Paul Getty.
Launching Leaders was a great book about using spiritual guidance to help us become who the
Lord wants us to be. This formula was included as a way to reach success.
This is a combination of advice to Steven from David B. Haight and J. Paul Getty.
Launching Leaders was a great book about using spiritual guidance to help us become who the
Lord wants us to be. This formula was included as a way to reach success.
1. Get up Early
2. Work Hard
3. Get Your Education
4. Find your Oil
5. Make your Mark
6. Give Back
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