Changing the World

This week, I learned a lot about changing the world, and the need for it. From President Monson’s talk, “Constant Truths for Changing Times,” I had many insights and impressions, especially regarding parenting. He talked about stocking our families shelves (minds) with gospel scholarship, faith, prayer, love, service, obedience, example, and kindness. He also taught that we shouldn’t indulge our children, for they must learn to make their own way in the world. As a mother, he warned that even when it is easier to take things on ourselves, we shouldn’t we “persuade your children to help, but it is so essential for them to learn the importance of doing their share.” I really appreciated his advice and guidance, because I feel I need all the help I can get when it comes to parenting.

From the video, “Entrepreneurship and Consecration” by Robert C. Gay, I learned that business and entrepreneurship is a way to accomplish Heavenly Father’s work and a means to serve others. One thing he said that really stands out to me, that I hope to always remember is this. He said, “It is not what you have, but who you are. And who you are is not what you say, but what you do. Successful pioneers are inward focused and outward driven.” So many times in life, people seem to get caught up with what they have, and it’s not about that. What we do, will tell others who we are. And to be successful, we need to focus inward, but be outward driven. I feel that by following this advice, one will do good in the world.

Lastly, from the Stanford video, “Make it Personal and make it Work” I found it interesting that Sheryl Sandberg Never wanted to work in a company, because she wanted to make a difference in people’s lives, yet she found herself drawn to technology, and seemed like companies were making a huge difference. She then went to work for Google because they had a compelling mission and vision. After google, she went to Facebook She said that both companies had visions that scaled. I agree with her when she said that a compelling vision is what motivates people to become great leaders. Without a vision, this wouldn’t happen.

I learned that one person, and the way they conduct their lives can really have an effect on the world.

Measuring the Cost: Life Balance

I really enjoyed this week's lessons, because it was so applicable to my life, and the constant questions I ask myself. I took so much away from the videos, readings, and assignments. I was really able to think about different scenarios and why certain things, such as time for family and away from work, really matter.

Here are a few things that really impressed me, that I hope to always remember and apply to my life.

 In President Monson’s talk, “Formula for Success” I loved how he spoke about three parables; the 10 virgins, the parable of the talents, and the parable of the fig tree and then said, “From those parables I would like to suggest that if we are really to be a chosen generation, we have the responsibility to be prepared, to be productive, to be faithful, and to be fruitful as well. What we need, as we journey along through this period known as mortality, is a compass to chart our course, a map to guide our footsteps, and a pattern whereby we might mold and shape our very lives. May I share with you a formula that in my judgment will help you and help me to journey well through mortality and to that great reward of exaltation in the celestial kingdom of our Heavenly Father.” He then says that the formula is that we “first, fill your mind with truth; second, fill your life with service; and third, fill your heart with love.” We should learn, understand, and live by the word of God, not by the philosophies of men. We should serve others, magnify our callings, and share our testimonies, because if we don’t, it may perish. I feel strongly that Heavenly Father intends for us to be prepared, productive, faithful and fruitful. He didn’t send us here for no reason. We each have a purpose and need to apply this formula in our lives to become what He intends for us.

In the video “Balancing Your Life and Your Career Successfully” by Randy Komisar I was reminded that money, power, and opportunity don’t bring happiness. He also pointed out that we need to balance our lives, so we can do the things that we enjoy. Another great piece of advice Randy Komisar gave is to “never put yourself in a situation where you can’t say no.” I feel this is good advice for anything we do in life, whether it’s with our time, with our job, our even with standards, friends, family, etc.  

In the video “Is Work/Life Balance Possible?” by Ann Miura-Ko talked about the work- life balance and how it is hard to say it’s balanced. She talks about the struggle it can be, but she reminds us to be passionate and believe that you feel it’s worth it in the end, in any job we have. What would be the point of working/doing anything if we didn’t believe it was worth something? I need to remind myself of these things, at times I feel overwhelmed. And if it isn’t worth it, then to quit, and focus on something that is.

I really enjoyed Stephen W. Gibsons thoughts on money, and I like him feel that money is not only a neccessary part of our lives, but that it is something we need to pay attention to, work at, and do our best with, including the need to work to earn money, and should be self-reliant through it.

From the book, “So You Want to be an Entrepreneur” I loved everything the author said and the advice the author gave about balancing your life, and to put those we love and care about first, because they are truly what make us happy and worth the work and efforts we put into our career. 

And lastly, from “Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness” reading, I found the following quote to be really meaningful and something we should strive to do. It said, “Along the journey, learn to embrace mistakes and adversity. Take more chances and suffer more defeats. Extend yourself. Long-term research on aging shows that you are far more likely to regret what you have not done, than to regret your errors and mistakes. You are much stronger and tougher than you think. We fear most what we never experience. Embrace adversity as a lesson in humility. Use it to remind yourself to be grateful for what you have.”

Dream Big Dreams

I really enjoyed the things I learned and read this week for class.
Here are a few things I hope to always remember.

 First, from the article, “The Heart of Entrepreneurship” I found it very interesting and gave some interesting perspectives and information about the entrepreneurial mindset. While reading the article I thought much about the type of person I am---the promoter vs the trustee. I thought a lot about the part that said, “A person’s most valuable assets are intelligence, energy, and experience—not money or other material things—which are well suited to the promoter role.” I feel that this is true, both in the business world and a career, and also in life in general.

From the video, “Think Big” I love the idea and motivation that it gives, that we can accomplish goals and dreams, especially when we involve the Lord. I also liked how he said we can do GREAT things, and that it is no harder to be great, then to be good. Don’t let anyone tell you you can’t. Pursue goals, dreams, and pursue huge.

From Dallin H. Oaks talk, "The Challenge to Become" I loved and found it really important when he said, "From such teachings we conclude that the Final Judgment is not just an evaluation of a sum total of good and evil acts—what we have done. It is an acknowledgment of the final effect of our acts and thoughts—what we have become. It is not enough for anyone just to go through the motions. The commandments, ordinances, and covenants of the gospel are not a list of deposits required to be made in some heavenly account. The gospel of Jesus Christ is a plan that shows us how to become what our Heavenly Father desires us to become." It is so important that we have done good things, but more importantly what we have become. I always hope to remember this.

Loyalty & Leadership

This week I learned a lot about leadership and how crucial it is to have leaders who are loyal and honest. President Hinckley has taught and has challenged us to, "...run from the tide of sleaze that would overcome you. Flee the evils of the world. Be loyal to your better self. Be loyal to the best that is in you. Be faithful and true to the covenants that are associated with the priesthood of God. You cannot wallow about in lasciviousness, you cannot lie, you cannot cheat, you cannot take advantage of others in unrighteousness without denying that touch of divinity with which each of us came into this life." With this perspective, we know that we must be loyal in every aspect of our lives.

President Kim B. Clark, in his talk, "Leadership with a small "L"" taught many great things we should all heed when it comes to leadership. He taught, "... leadership with a small “L”—the kind of leadership that builds and lifts and inspires through kindness and love and unselfish devotion to the Lord and His work. It is the kind of leadership that we need at every level of every kind of organization in the world and in every ward and stake in the Church. It is the kind of leadership you will need to build an eternal family." I feel like there is much to be taken from this. He then gave three principles of how to accomplish this. First, lead by example. One of the most important things a leader does is what they do. The second principle is to lead with vision. President Clark said, "One of the most important things that leaders do is to help the people they lead understand the larger meaning and purpose of their daily work. " The last principle is to lead with love. Effective leaders learn to energize those they lead through love in action.

From the Standford video, "Aspects of Building Trust" I learned that trust others and they will trust you. In this video, Guy Kawasaki gives examples of trust found in businesses. He also talks about "bakers" and "eaters". The "bakers" are the ones who have the trust.

I really loved  the reading, "Message to Garcia," and was impressed by so many things it talked about. I was impressed when it said, "The world cries out for such: he is needed and needed badly, the man who can carry a message to Garcia.”" I hope to always remember this example. The article talked about the ability to execute being so valuable, and is actually more valuable than education or talent. It also talked about our world of underachievers, but we all have the choice to to develop attitudes, habits and instincts to be among those who succeed. They list 4 steps to take to develop these things. They are: accept the mission and get started, be curious, immediately sketch out a plan, if you need resources don't be afraid to ask, enlist help when needed, report back and show your work, underpromise and overdeliver, expect to make small mistakes, put results before schmoozing, and to replace the voices in your head with positive action. I also learned about having a
Vision, Strategies, Projects, Tactics (VSPT) framework.