I could sit back and complain that I wish I knew then what I know now.  However, that type of thinking will not propel me to the future I am carving for myself.  I feel blessed and highly favored having had the opportunity to take the course at this time in my life.  All the material we have studied to-date have been instrumental in opening my mind and view to both the errors or my ways, and the strategies I can now implement to propel me forward.

As I pondered where I am today, and where I have come from, I realized that the choices I have made were the right ones for me based on the knowledge I had at the time.  Today I can make better choices because I am now opened to new and better information.  This course is helping me with both my business building and my personal development.  Reading Randy Haykin`s story helped me to understand that the way I looked at things was detrimental to my growth – it kept me hostage to a way of life I developed from my youth.  However, I have the power and the tools to change my mindset.

I look forward to growing my network with the positive minded people, who are interested in my success, knowing that I need to be positive minded and interested in the success of my colleagues.  I am looking forward to turning the strategies into habits, and seeking the benefits from doing so.

With my spouse being in the hospital for the past 2 weeks, my time has not been my own, and at first I was feeling resentful, but not anymore.  I can still implement one or two strategies now, and continue once my spouse is out of the hospital and on the road to recovery.  I will take this time to show him my love and appreciation for him, and give him the best of me.  Thank you Randy Haykin for helping me to prioritize according to God`s plan for me (family first).

According to all that I am being exposed to in this course, I am tempted to thing that I am not entrepreneurial and that might be because I am misunderstanding who I am.  I am realizing that the manner in which I commenced my journey into the entrepreneurial world was not ideal.  as I read, listen and learn, I keep asking myself, “why did I not have this information before I started?”  Then, I rebuke myself for encouraging the victim mentally.

What am I learning?  I am learning that it is not too late (well, almost), I can take the strategies I am learning, and apply them to both my personal and professional life.  I am learning that while old habits die hard, with diligence I can reprogram new habits, I just need to be patient with myself and the process.  I am learning that I need to be more humble and vulnerable. Yes, vulnerable – I have a difficult time with this one.  In the past (and yes, I know the past does not have to dictate my present or future) being vulnerable has been to my detriment.

And here is the lesson – the people I have been vulnerable with were not the right people – they were not true friends who wanted what was best for me – mentors who were interested in my success as much as or even more than me.  Why was this?  because I lacked the confidence to attract the right people in my life.  But not anymore.  I am learning to take courageous steps.  I am learning to trust and obey.  I am learning to believe in my abilities, believe in myself, believe that I was born to succeed.

I am moving forward with a driving passion to be successful in all aspects of my life.  I was struggling to charge my clients the appropriate fee for services rendered.  This week while conducting the entrepreneur interview, Sandy, the entrepreneur talked about a conversation he had with a church leader who encouraged him to charge the appropriate fee for services because he was in business to succeed – reminded him that any business transaction he went into with the church was suppose to be conducted as a business.

I will not longer undercut myself, but be honest and just in my pricing.  I will exercise confidence in discussing my fees, and know that as I am consistent, I will form the habit and it will become easier.  I will think win/win, be ethical in all my dealings.

I am worthy of financial success.  Money is not everything, but in the world that we live in, it is important for my self-reliance, and the opportunity to be of service in the Lord’s vineyard.

I am learning that success begins with the person, before it can be translated to the business.  I am learning that I need to open myself to people, be vulnerable without fear in order to make and keep good friends.  I am learning to be a better listener and communicator.  I am learning about the habits, attitudes and skills I need as an individual to become the person I was sent here to be, and I am learning or rather relearning these things through the many talks, videos, periodicals and books I have been studying this semester.

According to my course syllabus, I should have an understanding of my calling in life and the start-up of me; evaluate what matters most and draft key elements of my life plan; examine my fit for a career as an entrepreneur; understand the role of honesty and social entrepreneurship; learn how to deal with the adversity in my entrepreneur journey; examine the profile of other entrepreneurs by conducting an entrepreneur interview; understand the value of Mastery, The Ministry of Business, and how to apply it in my life and, Embrace the 14 critical mindsets of successful entrepreneurs.

I believe I am on track with the course syllabus.  I understand that application of the skills, principles, strategies and habits I am being exposed to will take time to develop into solid habits, and I am ready for the challenge.  Ever so often I need to be reminded that God is mindful of me and my needs, and this week I received a strong dose of God’s mindfulness of me.  On a personal note, both lessons 7 and 8 were right on the mark of what I needed, and when I needed them to get through the week.

President Hinckley reminded me to be true to myself, pointing out that the adversary of truth would like to injure me, destroy my faith and lead me down paths that re beguiling and interesting, but deadly.

Stephen R. Covey with his 7 habits of highly effective people helped uncover the kinks in my personality, and provided suggestions on how I may go about fixing them. Sister Patricia Holland reminded me that the only limitations I had were those I set on myself.

Elder Holland pleaded with me to understand that nothing very valuable can come without significant sacrifice and effort and patience on my part.  I have been asking how much more could I handle, and he quoted the Lord in D & C 64:33-34 which says, “Wherefore, be not weary of 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“.

As I ponder the challenges I faced this week, and consider the alternatives, I give thought to President Monson’s words – “throughout the journey along the pathway of life, there are casualties.  Some depart from the road markers which point toward life eternal, only to discover the detour chosen ultimately leads to a dead end.  Indifference, carelessness, selfishness, and sin all take their costly toll in human lives.

David Carrington’s short video was very poignant – he cited the three things I needed to focus on, to implement to be successful in my business – (1). Increase the number of customers; (2) Increase the frequency of Purchase and (3) Increase the average order.  Things that I am aware of, but needed repeating.  My question in this regard is, how?  What process do I implement/follow to accomplish these three things?  I am looking forward to uncovering the answer to this question.

I

What an appropriate theme for this week.  While the course I am presently enrolled in is to assist me to become a successful entrepreneur, I am finding that it is actually helping me to better understand myself, and become a better, successful person.

In week two we read an article by Clayton M. Christensen called, “How Will You Measure Your Life?” in which Christensen stated, “The choice and successful pursuit of a profession is but one tool for achieving your purpose.  But without a purpose, life can become hollow.”  I am so very grateful for this advise, and for my own willingness to hear and take action on it.  I lost a sister this week to lymphoma cancer, and if not for my burning desire (purpose) to learn and apply those lessons in my daily life, I would be sitting in a corner feeling sorry for myself.  Instead, I “moving forward with a driving passion”, “however long and hard the road”.

This week’s reading assignments were no coincidence, the Lord knew I would need the support and He provided.    It is interesting, but only last week I was wondering how the course creators/writers decided on what order to present the coursework.  I need not wonder anymore – they were inspired.

In the summary of “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People”, the author stated that “the seven habits embody many of the fundamental principles of human effectiveness.  They represent the internalization of correct principles upon which enduring happiness and success are based….A paradigm is like a map.  it is not the actual piece of territory but is an explanation or model of a piece of territory”.  Today I find myself “seeking first to understand, then to be understood” – a paradigm shift for me.  A shift that is bringing peace to my soul.  I am learning to “diagnose before I prescribe”, actively listen – not listening to give an answer, but rather, listening to understand the other.

The beauty of these teachings is that they are applicable in all areas of our lives.  Habit #5 is especially important to me this week, and we are dealing with a death in our family, and I understand that people handle the grieving phase very differently.

I am looking forward to applying the networking techniques into practice over the next couple of months, as I become more social on the business front.

In the fall of 1998 I visited my missionary and his family in Provo, Utah.  His parent has moved to the grandfather’s home after his death, a home that was situated at the base of the mountain.  A home filled with love, compassion, sincerity and honesty.  A home where not a single negative word or phrase was spoken.  I was in awe.  You see, the homes I was brought up in were very different, including the home I was presently living in with my own family (spouse and three sons).  I was so at peace in Provo, that I did not want to return to my own chaotic life, but I did.

That visit changed the way I viewed myself and my circumstances.  My new sight was still tainted – I was now viewing my circumstances through the lenses of a ‘victim’ – wow be me attitude – hoping for a knight in shining armor to rescue me from my dilemma.  Three years ago, as I embarked on my journey of higher education through the Pathway Program,  I read (not for the first time) 2 Nephi 2:26 “And the Messiah cometh in the fullness of time, that he may redeem the children of men from the fall.  And because that they are redeemed from the fall they have become free forever, knowing good from evil; to act for themselves and not to be acted upon….”

This passage brought clarity to my mind, but change is slow.  When I entered the world of entrepreneurship, I did so on a whim.  There were no analytics, no business plan, no thought went into this process.  Even though I had made the decision to leave, I still held on to the victim mindset, and the desire to be rescued.

While I have made progress, I have made numerous mistakes.  Mistakes which have put me into debt without any financial rewards. Mistakes in choosing a partnership out of fear, only to realize that I need not be afraid, and the partnership is not what I envisioned it to be.  If nothing else, I have persistence, I am honest, and I have integrity.

I am learning to rewire the neurons in my brain as well as understanding and developing the skills required to run a successful business.  I need to develop my Industry Expertise, exercise better business judgment and continue to build my reputation.  I was struck by the advice Wences Casares gave about being monogamous in business.  I have been hearing from other so-called experts that you need to have more than one source of income.  So, who is right?

Jan Newman reminded me to not get tired of doing good when he said ‘always be a light to the world through your actions and your integrity…because the world lacks” these qualities, and people are looking for them in others.

What about Mastery?  There is no mistake that “Success is gauged by Self-Mastery”.  Elder N. Eldon Tanner made this quite clear.  I now understand the line in Invictus by William Ernest Henley, when he declares “I am the master of my fate, I am the captain of my soul”.  He is talking about self-mastery/self-discipline – being able to control one’s emotions and desires – determining the course of the sails and having the willpower to follow through.  According to Elder Tanner, Self-Mastery is a principle we should all adhere to.

My one big take away from this week`s lesson is to master my Industry Knowledge, as this is the most valuable area to provide me with the ability to spot and seize extraordinary opportunities.  Actually, this is the second, the first is to spend less than I make – I believe this was the message for me this week – it came from several sources including my instructor, and it was a great ah ha moment for me.

Here I am in week 3 of my 7 week “Introduction to Entrepreneurship” course studying Mastery – What it is and how to achieve it? And I am loving it. The highlights from lesson 5 activities comes from the book, Mastery, by George Leonard; the video, “A Hero’s Journey of Entrepreneurship” and the reading, Are Successful Entrepreneurs Born or Made?
So, what is Mastery? George Leonard in his book, “Mastery, The keys to success and long-term fulfillment” says that Mastery is not about being perfect as I once believed, but a journey whose path you are always on. According to Leonard, “The master’s journey can begin whenever you decide to learn any new skill”.
It is important to understand that “Learning any new skill involves relatively brief spurts of progress, each of which is followed by a slight decline to a plateau”. While on our journey, we must love the plateaus and “keep practicing even when you seem to be getting nowhere… the path is always long and sometimes rocky, and it promises no quick and easy payoffs”.
Leonard describes three personality types that we need to be aware of while on this journey – The Dabbler – approaches each new activity with enthusiasm, but when he/she meets the first plateau, he/she begins to rationalize about why this particular activity is not their thing. Then there is The Obsessive – “a bottom-line type of person who knows results are what count, and it does not matter how you get them”. this personality “does not understand the necessity for periods of development on the plateau – he manages for a while to keep making brief spurts of upward progress, followed by sharp declines – a jagged ride toward a sure fall. when the fall occurs, the obsessive is likely to get hurt”, and so are the people around him. The Hacker – “After sort of getting the hang of things, he is willing to stay on the plateau indefinitely – at work he does only enough to get by, leaves on time or early, talks instead of doing his job, and wonders why he doesn’t get promoted”.
Which am I? I do not fit neatly into any of the above description – I do have a bit of the dabbler and obsessive in me at different time under certain conditions, but I do not display any of the defeating attributes – of course this is my opinion. I realize that I need to adopt the mastery mindset in all my dealings if I want to enjoy success and long-term fulfillment.
A hero’s journey is best described in Matthew 6:33 which reads “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” Great emphasis is place on finding your calling which was subsequently described as satisfying a deep burning need in the world; must serve others and, it must matter to you (me).
So, what does it meant to choose a Hero’s Journey? It means to live every moment of your life like it matters – because it does; it means to live as if you have an important issue to solve – because you do; it means seeing struggles as adventures and setbacks as lessons – because they are. In this lesson as in the 4 preceding ones is the message “Find great role models”. The bonus for me – We become like the people who surround us; and when I am on the Hero’s journey, I will give up measuring myself against others.
Is the Secret of Success: Skill, Character or Luck? Jeff Sandefer in his research discovered that Assets, deposits of skill and character, made in a consistent way, during a lifelong entrepreneurial journey of trail and error and struggles is the Key to success. He then broke them down in to three categories – Industry Expertise; Good Business Judgment and Relationships and Reputation.
Skills I need to master:
1. Understanding which supplier to trust; which customer would pay on time and how competitors would react to changes in demand or pricing
2. Knowing which questions to ask
3. Knowing when to act quickly and when to take time to reflect
4. internalizing hundreds of small lessons about human nature that make it easier to lead the people around me
5. Keep my promise
6. act kindly toward another
7. show character when times are tough
8. doing things right and doing the right thing
9. being honest and direct, and going the extra mile
Remembering that I am on a Hero’s journey, I am on the road to Mastery, I am a Practitioner – A Mastery Practitioner – I am a Deep Learner – I am a Critical Thinker – In all these things, I Am on the Lord’s Errand.
Two changes were made today – I changed my attitude towards my work and, I am mastering my mindset – I am grateful for all things – I refuse to complain – I refuse to validate any complaints that come my way. I am an enabler of righteousness.

I am gradually making my way to the eye of the storm.  The other day my husband, Uriah and I were discussing the things I am learning in the course, and I remarked: “I do not want to sound ungrateful for all that I am presently learning and relearning, but I can’t help but feel that I have wasted 41 years of my life”.

Ok, I admit that this is an exaggeration.  I have been learning and growing along the way, but I still feel that I have cheated myself. I have held myself in a “victim mindset” for so long, that I did not fully recognize all the areas in which I was not exercising proper attitudes; judgments nor taking the appropriate action.  It’s interesting that since commencing my studies in January, I have taken a course each semester (unrelated in nature) that has been instrumental in helping me to uncover my weaknesses.  Because of the videos and the talks, I am beginning to see my worth, believe in myself, and take appropriate actions.

The most important lesson I learned this week was about my relationship with God.  I commenced my spiritual journal 25 years ago and have had numerous experiences I would not trade for any worldly possession. However, 2 years ago I inadvertently turned left instead of turning right and, veered off the path.  Nothing major – nothing I need to go to the bishop about, but definitely something I need to repent of and make correction – a great big thanks to Sheri Drew and her talk “True Blue, Through and Through – I realize that I need to pump up the volume on my temple attendance and consistently pay my tithes, regardless of how little income I made in any given month.  Whoa!

With respect to running my business, the tools and strategies uncovered thus far are mind-blowing – some are simple, and appear to be just plain old common sense, but who said common sense was common?  I appreciate being exposed to the teachings of “Launching Leaders” and the Acton Foundation. AS I read or listen to the videos, I feel the speakers addressing me directly, and I appreciate their advice.  Loud and clear I heard “Don’t Cling to the Past” from Frank Levinson; I am learning to give up my hang-ups about money being the root of all evil and opening myself to All that God is offering me, thanks in part to the talk by Elder Lynn G. Robbins.

Magdelena Yesil’s story while awe-inspiring, caused a bit of depression because I began to feel sorry for myself.  I began to look back instead of looking forward.  I was grateful for the opportunity to write the case study, and participate in the discussion board, as these two activities allowed me to appreciate the lessons in her story – work hard; always be learning; develop great friendships; be true to yourself, and have great mentors.

Last evening, I was feeling a bit overwhelmed by the whole process – there are so many things to implement and act on, I was wondering where do I begin?  Then I was reminded to tackle one task at a time – how do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time.  I look forward to coming into the eye of the storm.

Many years ago I received a distinct lesson on how easy it is to judge the actions of others, without an understanding of what prompted the action in the first place.

The story of that lesson goes like this: A friend had called me up earlier in the week and ask if I would give her a ride to church on Sunday, to which I agreed.  However, as I was getting ready to leave for church that Sunday, I completely forgot about giving my friend a ride.  That was until I turned the vehicle in the opposite direction.  No sooner had I made the right-hand turn I remembered and immediately made a u-turn in her direction.

The lights where I made the right hand turn from was red and, there was a vehicle waiting to turn left at the lights.  When I made the u-turn the lights were still in my favour, and I was able to go through the lights.   Suddenly, I was overcome by a strong feeling that the person waiting to turn left at the red light may have thought that I made the u-turn to avoid waiting to turn left.  With that I looked up into the rear-view mirror, and low and behold, the driver of the vehicle also make a u-turn.

There was no doubt that this lesson was for me, and I believed that I learned it well.  Today’s episode proved that there is still room for improvement.  Are we prone to make diabolical judgments?  A story was related to me today, and in my non-judgemental state, I had a conversation with the storyteller about the actions of the individual the story was about.  About an hour later the storyteller who was now prompted by questions and observations from me received the complete story which changed the direction of the plot 360 degrees.

Whoa! Now that the entire plot was changed, I realized that my observations were entirely incorrect.  Once more I had passed judgment without having full disclosure.  It was reinforcement for me that I need to judge NOT.  Even when I have the full picture.

Observation is good – Judgment is NOT.  I believe we should allow all mankind to experience life for themselves, and not try to intervene or impose our opinions upon them.

I can make a decision to turn left or right without the need to judge, but with a spirit of discernment that the turn I am making is the right one for me at this moment, based on the information I presently have.

Lesson learned one more time.

Earl Nightingale said that the best definition of success he has heard is “The progressive realization of a worthy ideal”. Applying this definition to my life, both personal and professional, I would have to say that I have been progressing all my life. However, I am realizing that my progress could have been more progressive than it has been.

As I reflect on my readings over the past week and referring to the Six Step Formula for Happiness as related by Steven Hitz in “The Ministry of Business”, I was missing step 4 and 5 – Find Your Oil and Make your Mark. According to Hitz, finding your oil is about discovering what you are good at (product or service), and providing superior service/product – this service or product becomes your oil – the thing that would general a generous income.

Reid Hoffman, LinkedIn co-founder, on Personal Branding described another area I was weak in – The Right Mindset. Hoffman listed having the right mindset (permanent beta) and always investing in yourself as the two most important tools for building and maintaining a career. I have been investing in myself, and while my mindset has elevated over the years, sub-consciously, it was being hampered by old negative programming from my early childhood years.

That was then, and this is now. Today, as I found myself being lulled into old unproductive patterns, I stopped the internal chattering remembering that “living a life of meaning is about living life with intent”. I then changed the dial and took a new direction. I was then very productive the rest of the day.

The focus of lesson three is “Integrity”, and while I have a reasonable understanding of what it means to have integrity and, have had the occasion to exercise this virtue, I was taken aback by Sheri L. Dew’s talk entitled “True Blue, Through and Through”. In this talk Dew talked about “Small cracks in our integrity leading to gaping emotional and spiritual holes”, and “suggests seven things that will help us become men and women of integrity”.

As I read this talk, I felt chastised for falling short in some areas, but remembered that in her sixth suggestion “Don’t give up” she admonished us to “delight in repenting and obeying. And don’t give up”. Dew’s talk helped me to understand that a certain inaction I have been exercising is a lack of integrity and, this reminded me of President Hinckley saying that even when we choose not to respond, we are still choosing, and therefore are accountable for that inaction. Whoa! Lesson received.

I look forward to mastering the skills I am learning and reaching higher ground. I will no longer clip my wings or allow anyone else to do so. I believe I can fly.

As a child I dreamed of becoming a teacher, just like Ms Alexander. Of all the teachers in my elementary school, she was the best – not only was she smart, but she cared about her students. She was talented and had the ability to bring out the talent in her students. She was also very protective of me. I felt safe in her company. I wanted to do the same for students. I wanted to emulate Ms. Alexander.

The school system in Trinidad was different to the school system in Canada. I sat what was termed “Common Entrance” exam and was not successful. Ms. Alexander was very surprised. She believed I had the ability to pass. This failure meant that I was not able to move on into high school, as only those who passed the common entrance exam attend high school free of charge. This was my first brick wall.

About six months after completing what was the equivalent of middle school, I received an invitation to come to Canada. My first question was “would I be able to go to school?” Having received an answer in the affirmative, I agreed to come to Canada, and commence High School the very next week. Ah, an opportunity to achieve my goal of becoming a teacher!

Not so. The school system here was different, and the relationship between teacher and pupil was not built on mutual respect; I did not feel that students had the same respect for their teachers as I had for Ms. Alexander. I thought to myself, ‘This is not for me”. Since then, I have regretted not pursuing my first love, however, I have had many opportunities to teach through my church callings, and in my profession.
After watching the video of “The Last Lecture” by Randy Pausch and looking back to my circumstances, I realized that I was lacking some key components, such as supporting parents; self confidence; proper guidance and the tenacity or know-how to push forward through these challenges.

It is important to have dreams as they are the catalyst that forges us forward, assuming of course we have a burning desire to accomplish the dream, and it not just a day dream – a nice to have but you are not willing to work for it. Dreams give purpose to our lives – a reason to get out of bed – a reason for living. Randy Pausch was able to achieve his dreams primarily because he had parents that supported him; allowed him to experiment with life and provided him with opportunities such as allowing him to write/pain on his bedroom walls without reprimanding him for it. According to Randy, he had a “really good childhood”.

This course, Introduction to Entrepreneurship is an eye-opener for me. Not only am I learning new strategies, but I am also learning that I have been on the right track for some time now. Last semester, my English instructor shared an insight about being active in the church, but inactive in our learning, and I realize that I have been actively reading good books, studying correct principles, but inactive in applying the strategies and principles in my own life. Why? you may ask. Because I lacked confidence that they would work for me. I feel like I have been three feet from gold for the better part of my life.

I can sit here and beat up on myself for not consistently applying the principles and strategies I had been learning, or I can take up the baton today, and press forward with faith, knowing and believing that I have what it takes to be a success in all my endeavours. I am learning that I am no longer fearful or damaged; to not turn away; to continue to dig deeply and honestly inside myself, understanding that as I keep my life and aspirations on course, I will be guided accordingly.
With each step forward, I will rejoice and celebrate my victories. I will continue to learn and to grow for I am worthy of my dreams, and my dreams are worthy of me.