Week 13

So you want to be an entrepreneur? Luckily I have spent the last 13 weeks studying just what it takes to be a successful entrepreneur. First I would recommend that you have a strong mind and a mighty heart. I would suggest creating a bucket list of all the things you want to accomplish in your life and make sure that whatever career you start allows you to check some items off of your list. Visualize yourself at an award banquet when you are 75 years old and imagine what type of person you would like to be remembered for. What do you want people to remember you for? 

As you start your entrepreneurial journey I would recommend that you write down what the values that are important to you so that you never forget them. We are only truly successful entrepreneurs when we uphold the values that are important to us. Some other things to consider are that you need to be realistic about your goals. It is great to shoot for the stars and go big but it is also important to remember that you only have about a .0006% of being a "rock star entrepreneur." 

Entrepreneurs need to make rules for themselves. Never be too busy for a church calling, never be too busy for your family, decide what family events are too important to miss. Learn from your heart instead of your head on occasion. Lead by vision, love, and example. Trust people and they will trust you. Be a GOOD person. Fill your heart with love, trust, and service. 

Above all remember that this is a wonderful time to live on earth. Take advantage of the opportunities presented to you. Do something that will make you and the world a better place. Keep your priorities straight. Live your life in a way that you won't regret. 

Week 12

I loved reading an attitude of gratitude by Thomas S. Monson. Here are a few of my favorite quotes. 

• This is a wonderful time to be living here on earth. Our opportunities are limitless. 

• We can lift ourselves, and others as well, when we refuse to remain in the realm of negative thoughts and cultivate within our hearts an attitude of gratitude.

• True friends put up with our idiosyncrasies. They have a profound influence in our lives.

• Let us follow Him. Let us emulate His example. Let us obey His word. By so doing, we give to Him the divine gift of gratitude.

I loved watching the eCorner Videos this week. A few of the most important messages I learned:

• You should always put yourself in a position to take advantages of opportunities that come up.

• When looking for a job you should look for something that you think will be enjoyable. 

Week 11

I really enjoyed learning more about microlending, specifically Grameen Bank. It really changed and enhanced my knowledge of credit and how loans are given. I wish that more institutions would follow after Gameen Bank's footsteps.

I also loved talking with my classmates about credit cards. Debt, savings, and credit are something I have very strong opinions about so it was really fun for me to discuss these topics. It is interesting how many different perspectives on this topic there are. Even though we all have different perspectives there are some core truths that the apostles teach us about how to be wise with our money and I think it is so important to heed that counsel. We shouldn't spend more than we earn, We should live below our means. We should save part of our money for a rainy day.

I also enjoyed completing the Manage Mentor Activity and seeing how my perspective has changed throughout this course about being en entrepreneur. I feel like I have a better understanding of the pros and cons associated with being an entrepreneur and I understand the risks associated with it.

Week 10

President Monson's Formula for Success
Fill your heart with love
Fill your mind with truth
Fill your life with service

Never put yourself in a situation where you can't say no! -Komisar

After reading the Attitude About Money article I really started thinking about how we can still be successful entrepreneurs and we can do well managing our money without becoming obsessed with money. Money should never be our priority. Money cannot buy as happiness. With that being said that doesn't mean that we should pay no attention to money. Everyone needs to pay attention to their finances to make sure that they can provide for and take care of their obligations. We can still focus on family first and let everything else fall into place. It doesn't mean because we focus on family as our first priority that we aren't going to be successful financially.

Another important principle I learned this week is the important of finding balance in your life. There is plenty of time in our lives to get the things done that we need to. We might just have to cut out some of the unnecessary items from our life.

Week 9

This week I was able to read the book The Dip. It was fabulous and I have been trying to convince everyone I know to read it.

Favorite principles from the book

Most People are Afraid to Quit
Average is for Losers
If You're Not Going to Get To #1 You May As Well Quit Now

Favorite Quotes and Thoughts From This Week 
“Entrepreneurs are not just opportunistic; they are also creative and innovative.” -Heart of Entrepreneurship

When you take really smart people and give them really good tools they build beautiful and amazing things because they are passionate about it. -Mayer

To testify is to declare something you know to be true; being converted requires us to do and to become. -Elder Oaks

Who we have become is most important to us at the final day -Elder Oaks 

Persons who have received the Spirit of God have the mind of Christ -Apostle Paul

Mentor Session 6
The mentor session 6 activity helped me to think about all the struggles associated with being an entrepreneur and helped me to think about if those things were really worth all the pros. I think that listing pros and cons is really beneficial and can really help you sort out what is important to you. 

Week 8

Favorite Quotes 
Lead by Vision. Lead by Example. Lead with Love -Kim B. Clark

Run from sleaze, flee evil, and be loyal to your best self -Gordon B. Hinckley

Trust people and they will trust you -Guy Kawasaki

Useful Things to Remember 
The leading factor that causes arguments, separation, divorce, and broken hearts in marriage is selfishness

The most powerful influence on your children will be your attitude

The most important thing you can do for your children is to love and support each other as husband and wife

Think about how you can help others

Hire nice people who think of others

We need to promote loyalty

If you need resources don't be afraid to ask

Week 7

This week I learned a lot about myself and my business goals and skill sets while completing the "Mentor Session." I think it is really important to sit down and evaluate yourself and see what kind of shape you are in to run a business. Not only do you have to be mentally prepared but you need to be physically prepared as well. I think it was also helpful to evaluate what skills I have a strong background in and what I still need to work on. It also helped me to decide when searching for a business partner what particular skill sets I will need to look for in another individual because of what I currently lack in my own skill set. 


Favorite quotes from the week...

"The 'great work' is you—your life, your future, the very fulfillment of your dreams.” President Holland 

"Too many of us learn only through our heads and not our hearts." Sister Holland