One end, but a new beginning

 

Week 14 (December 12 - December 15) 2021

This is my final week in this course therefore this is my final blog.

I cannot describe how great this course has been. The words seem to be lost. I have learned a lot about myself and about how to make goals and better yet how important it is to finish (That was this week’s lesson). I have always been horrible at the finishing part. I have a feeling that is going to change now. I know I’m not a new person just because of one class. I’m not that naive, but I do know that I can do anything if I just put forth the effort and do it.

If I could share one thing with others about this course it would be to not wait for opportunities to fall out of the sky. You have to take charge to make a change. You are the only one that can make it happen. I learned that a mentor can be more than just a person. It can be a book too. I have been inspired by the reading this semester and I plan to get my hands on other books suggested in the launching leaders’ lessons. The wisdom that I have encountered has been so thought provoking and strengthening. I will never be the same.

I do not know for sure what the future may have in store for me but I know this course has helped me to be prepared for the inevitable falls that will come. I know that everyone fails and a true sign of a successful person is how they handle it and rebound from it.

I advise you to find those with similar goals and passions that you have and build something great! Do something that makes a difference in the world, even if it is only the world of your local school or community. 

Charity is truly vital for success in life. I will cleave to that wisdom as I move forward.

When I am thinking about this course I almost feel like, between the pondering, it has been one long pep talk. <laugh>

I think it really has been. I think that is what we need to make it through trials, business, and life. We need to be positive and a pep talk really can help. So, from me to you. Never give up.

 

“Vision without effort is daydreaming; effort without vision is drudgery; but vision, coupled with effort, will obtain the prize.”

Thomas S. Monson – “Finishers Wanted”

The Latitude of your Gratitude will help you with your Attitude!

 

Week 13 (December 05 - December 11) 2021

This week was entitled A Journey of Gratitude. My favorite part was the talk by President Thomas S. Monson call "An Attitude of Gratitude". He listed six important aspects of life that we should be grateful for.

1. Our Mothers
2. Our Fathers
3. Our Teachers
4. Our Friends
5. Our Country
6. (even supremely) Our Lord and Savior

This was a great talk. President Monson always had a way with words. Like he was meant to be a story teller. The main point of this talk is really to be positive in all we do. It is almost like negative thoughts invites sadness and anger and those both lead to much more darkness. As he listed the above he references moments and times that deserve gratitude for what they do.

I agree that as we go through life it is better to be as positive as we can be. Try to understand and give grace were we can. It isn't always easy, but we must do our best to emulate Jesus as often as we can. Forgiving, and Forgetting. It's the latter I struggle with usually. Forgiving is easier to do because we are all human and we all make mistakes, but forgetting that I was wronged is so much harder. 

The other studying this week was good as well. Some of the advice I received this week are:

• Don't do things just because you think it is something people want you to do. *resume filler* Don't do things that you hate just to say you did it.
  
• Do what you love and you will find where you belong and the people who appreciate you and your story will want to hire you.
• Keep your options open. Don't specialize in one thing because it is boring and technology is always changing.
• There is no ONE path for anyone. There are dozens of ways to reach the same career.
  
• Learn something you can leverage in the building of your entrepreneurial career.
• Prepare and expect that hard choices will need to be made.
• Believe in yourself.

That last one I need to work on. I have a lot of doubt in myself because I strong with follow through when I start a project. Anyway, the studying this week was good.

"Let me recommend that periodically you and I offer a prayer in which we only give thanks and express gratitude. Ask for nothing; simply let our souls rejoice and strive to communicate appreciation with all the energy of our hearts". 

 David A. Bednar - "Pray Always"

You are never too big to be humble

 

Week 12 (November 28 - December 04) 2021

This week, based on what I have read, I will be answering some questions. 

 

          1. Why are virtue and integrity so vital to an economy?

 The reason these aspects are so vital is because without them there would be no trust and the leaders of corporations would think of only themselves and the unbalanced economy would slowly destroy society. Honestly it seems like it is happening in our present time economy. Ideally the leaders of companies would know that the definition of success was helping an entire generation better and not just making his or her bank account bigger. Also without virtue and integrity people will not want to invest in businesses either, making it much harder for anyone to start or grow a business so only big businesses will make it.

 

         2. According to Charles Handy, what is the "real justification" for the existence of businesses?

According to Charles Handy the real justification for business is not just to make a profit, but to do something with that profit. To make something better and improve upon your business, and the community. The goal is to not just to do better, but to find the best thing that needs to be better and do that. At least that is what I got out of the reading.

 

        3. What are two solutions proposed by Handy that you agree with? Why?       

 

Well the first solution I agree with is for companies to have "more honesty and reality in the reporting of results" and this includes making it available to the be viewed as a simple financial picture for all of it's employees so that the know if their work makes a difference. I agree with him. This, I think, is a big incentive to do one's best at work. If an employee can see they are a part of the success of the company they are more likely to do their best, especially if they get a bonus at a certain point of success. Happy workers are productive workers.

Secondly, he describes how companies should take the offense when it comes to doing better environmentally without having to be forced by the government or other programs. He is right, because we all live in this world and we do need to take care of it. This isn't a new concept. If keeping an eye on how your company impacts the world were done just because it's the right thing to do then the world would benefit exponentially. I'm not a big tree huger, but I appreciate a company that can reduce their carbon footprint when ever possible and I believe that using locally sourced products can do just that. 

Bottom line is that being humble, and having a finger on the pulse of your company as it grows so you know what makes it run better is more important than just the money it brings in. Knowing how to make your employees like coming and working for you will make them want to make your company better too.

"Beyond making ends meet, whether you have little or much of this worlds goods, will never be a fundamental determining factor for personal peace or happiness, but rather it is your attitude towards wealth that will be critical."

Elder Robert C. Gay