B210

Here goes another class, another semester. This class is business creations. Over the course of the semester, I will create and run a small business starting with less than $20. The proceeds earned by the end will be donated to a charity of my choice. I am looking forward to it although the task seems somewhat daunting on top of my other responsibilities. I have seen the grace of God in the past by putting my faith in him and going to work to do my best. My heart fills with gratitude for my Heavenly Father for the many things I am learning. This is the busiest, most difficult, exciting, and possible part of the best time of my life.

"Finishers Wanted"

President Monson gave a talk once where he spoke about a sign in a furniture store window. The sign read "Finishers Wanted." “In life, as in business, there has always been a need for those persons who could be called finishers. Their ranks are few, their opportunities many, their contributions great.”  He then taught six marks of a finisher and said that they were vital to our success. 

Mark of vision. 

Mark of effort. 

Mark of faith. 

Mark of virtue.

Mark of courage.

Mark of prayer.

I might suggest that when thinking about the future, when contemplating what your plans are and what God’s plans might be for you, you think about each of these marks. Is there an area you are struggling with? Are they a part of you? How can others’ lives be affected when they see these marks in you?

Jim Ritchie from the Launching Leaders series for my B183 course stated, "Most people fail in life because they do not understand how to balance their roles and responsibilities." I might add also because they do not have enough faith in themselves or their Heavenly Father. I believe that one must understand who they are and what they are required to do. Yes, we each have responsibilities that we must fulfill. As parents, friends, homeowners, employees, business people, or members of a religion. But I also firmly believe that there is so much more to life than the drudgery of what is expected of us. So many people settle for where they just end up, there is more than this. God put us here to learn and grow. The prophets have said that He is willing to hand over everything He has to us. I want to be worthy of all of that. I don't know exactly why I am in school or what I will do with my degree, but I know God is leading my life. I know that he is helping me to understand that his vision of my capabilities is greater than my own. There must be trust between us. I must have faith in the path that is under my feet and the person I am following. Then I can more fully understand my roles and responsibilities in each facet of life, and I will have the strength to reach this greater destination. I will count myself successful. I will be a finisher!

"It is not what you have, but who you are. And who you are is not what you say, but what you do.” -Tom at Bain and Company

President Monson said, “What an exciting life is available for each one of us today. We can be explorers in spirit with a mandate to make this world better by discovering improved ways of living and doing things. God left the world unfinished for man to work his skill. He left the electricity in the cloud, the oil in the earth. He left the rivers unbridged and the forests unfelled and the cities unbuilt. God gives to man the challenge of raw materials, not the ease of finished things. He leaves the pictures unpainted and the music unsung and the problems unsolved, that man might know the joys and the glories of creation. True pioneers solve problems and rise to bless others by opening new frontiers and finishing the undone work God left for us to do.” This quote makes me excited to look around me and see what I have to work with. The options are endless, I am so grateful for this Earth and the good things on it. The Lord's plan really is perfect. He provided everything we would need to learn, grow, and create.

I read and watched a college conference talk by Robert Gay. It was very insightful about what is important in business and life. He pointed out that, "beyond making ends meet, whether you have little or much of this world’s goods, will never be a fundamental determining factor of personal peace and happiness, but rather it is your attitude towards wealth that will be critical." It is easy to forget that so much depends on our attitude and so little on the small tasks throughout the day. I am grateful for the small reminders to be in control and to be positive.

Charles Handy reminds us of "The purpose of a business" in an article called What's a Business For? "It is not to make a profit, full stop. It is to make a profit so that the business can do something more or better. That “something”becomes the real justification for the business." In my desire to have a business I have thought about the income I would receive. I would be foolish not to admit that there has been some excitement about the money I might gain. There have also been thoughts about the people I could help and the service I can give. This also brings me happiness. There are many positive things to do with money. Robert Gay warned that, "firms are likely to fail if they only follow the key rule of money, and look solely to maximize profits... Our aim must be to do His will, not ours, in all our spiritual as well as temporal activities." The scriptures also remind us to "seek ye first the kingdom of God," and then other blessings will be added upon us and we should have money to share with others and help the poor. Brother Gay quoted something that helps us to remember what can happen when we think of service first. This is called the Shetobreyon principle. 

“In the days of service, all things were founded, 
In the days of special privilege, they deteriorated, and 
In the days of vanity they are destroyed.” 

Attitude On Money

I had small jobs throughout the first years of marriage and when the babies started coming. There was usually an extra few dollars for me to spend on groceries or things for the home. As I prepared to have our fifth child things changed. I didn't work anymore. Months after sweet pea was born, I was grocery shopping at the store. As I soothed my baby and pushed the shopping cart around I was overcome by the prices of food and the calculations going on in my head. Maybe I was hormonal, maybe I felt like I wasn't contributing monetarily anymore, maybe I worried about feeding and providing for our five growing children. I grew hot and dizzy. I froze momentarily trying to discern my emotions. This must be what anxiety can do to someone. It was crippling. My initial reaction was to run, grab my bag and baby and get out. Not wanting to make a scene I tried to take deep breaths and remain calm. It was difficult to convince myself that I was ok. My husband had a very good job. We had enough money to pay for the food we eat and the home we live in. This was a realization that money and I have had a rocky past with many fears involved. Since my minor attack, I have coped with these emotions by reminding myself of the great blessings given to me. We have wonderful stores that provide a variety of food and non-food items. We budget so that there is enough money for food and the necessities of life. My husband is a wonderful loving father who strives to care for his children and makes it so I can be a stay-at-home mother. Telling myself that it is a blessing to have money and be able to take care of our needs helps me to have a better attitude about earning, saving, and spending money. 

I use money almost everyday. Through my experience I have learned that I need to view money as a helpful part of life. I was reminded recently of the story in the bible, "The Good Samaritan." Money made it possible for the Samaritan to care for the injured man. He already had things to put on and bind up his wounds then, he had money to later bring to the host repaying him what was used to care for the injured man.

In "Attitude on Money" an article by Stephen W. Gibson it gives us a few rules to live by when it comes to money. 

Rule 1. Seek the Lord and have hope in him
Rule 2. Keep the commandments, that includes the temporal ones, tithing and fast offerings.
Rule 3. Think about money and plan how you can become self-reliant.
Rule 4. Take advantage of chances for learning so you will not be ignorant of these matters. Education, as President Hinckley has taught us, is the Key to Opportunity.
Rule 5. Learn the laws upon which the blessings of wealth are predicated.
Rule 6. Do not send away the naked, the hungry, the thirsty or the sick or those who are held captive.
 

"It is simply a truism that nothing very valuable can come without significant sacrifice and effort and patience on our part." -Jeffrey R. Holland

There is really so much to learn from history. Our own and others'. My favorite books are biographies, or histories that show determination, sacrifice, love, and peace through trials. These books remind me that we each face frustrations, but also they offer evidence that God blesses us with light and knowledge along the way to handle it. Sometimes that means we must be creative and use our own wisdom as we work at going around, under, over, or through the hardship. Jeffrey R. Holland is one of my favorite speakers and he puts into words what we must do. "It is as true now as when Solomon said it that “where there is no vision, the people perish” (Proverbs 29:18). If your eyes are always on your shoelaces, if all you can see is this class or that test, this date or that roommate, this disappointment or that dilemma, then it really is quite easy to throw in the towel and stop the fight. But what if it is the fight of your life? Or more precisely if it is the fight for your life, your eternal life at that? What if beyond this class or that test, this date or that roommate, this disappointment or that dilemma, you really can see and can hope for all the best and right things that God has to offer? Oh, it may be blurred a bit by the perspiration running into your eyes, and in a really difficult fight one of the eyes might even be closing a bit, but faintly, dimly, and ever so far away you can see the object of it all. And you say it is worth it, you do want it, you will fight on. Like Coriantumr, you will lean upon your sword to rest a while, then rise to fight again (see Ether 15:24–30)." 

Let this be a reminder that all the small steps you take or overcome today will lead you to greater things. Greater than you can imagine! For God loves you and has great things in store for you.

DC 64:33-34 says, "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.

Behold, the Lord requireth the heart and a willing mind; and the willing and obedient shall eat the good of the land of Zion in these last days."

“What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us.” — Oliver Wendell Holmes

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

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;   

What Is your Purpose?

How do I find what my passion is? Randy Komisar a Virtual CEO posed and addressed this question in a seminar for Stanford University. This is a question everyone meets at some point in their lifetime. Many wonder how to find the answer. Some find the answer quickly, others search their entire life. Randy suggests two things to watch out for. The fallacy that their is only one passion and what is the ultimate thing your going to do with your life.
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.

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.'

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.

1. Get up Early

2. Work Hard

3. Get Your Education

4. Find your Oil

5. Make your Mark

6. Give Back

In the Beginning

I was reading in the scriptures the other day, Alma 32. Alma is teaching about comparing the word to a seed. In verse 42-43 he says,
42 And because of your diligence and your faith and your patience with the word in nourishing it, that it may take root in you, behold, by and by ye shall pluck the fruit thereof, which is most precious, which is sweet above all that is sweet, and which is white above all that is white, yea, and pure above all that is pure; and ye shall feast upon this fruit even until ye are filled, that ye hunger not, neither shall ye thirst.
43 Then, my brethren, ye shall reap the rewards of your faith, and your diligence, and patience, and long-suffering, waiting for the tree to bring forth fruit unto you.
These verses show that by our faith and diligence great things can come. It would be good to consider the time involved. Alma says by and by and he also uses the word long-suffering. Enjoying the fruits of our labor in not immediate. Alternately today I read Alma chapter 37, Alma is speaking to his son  Helaman. Verse 41 says,
41 Nevertheless, because those miracles were worked by small means it did show unto them marvelous works. They were slothful, and forgot to exercise their faith and diligence and then those marvelous works ceased, and they did not progress in their journey;
This scripture gives me the opposite understanding. What happens without faith and diligence? Progression stops and good and marvelous works cease. These are things to be aware of.

It is always interesting to me when I study similar principles at the same time. The Lord has an interesting way of helping us learn. In my class studies this week Elder Bednar touches on faith and diligence. "My purpose today is to admonish you to use your academic opportunities to the fullest and to avoid at all costs the academic path of least resistance.  Specifically, I challenge you as a student at [BYU-I] to be diligent in both your spiritual and academic pursuits." This quote embodies what I need to do as a student and I hope that I can live up to Elder Bednar's desire for me. He promises later in his talk that the ability to have a disciplined mind helps us reason, evaluate, and discern and that these skills are essential for a happy, spiritual, and productive life. I do see the importance of changing and the good that can come from these principles.

Elder Bednar added, "In these latter days much more is required of us as children of the covenant than our money and substance.  As the Church spreads throughout the world in a rapidly changing and complex information age, may I suggest that we must consecrate unto the Lord both a faithful heart and a strong mind—a mind capable of learning and instruction and discipline and receiving revelation." I hope and pray for the guidance to have a faithful heart and strong mind for myself so that I may one day enjoy the 'fruit thereof.'