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Parting Words

When I signed up for this class, I expected to learn how to start and run a successful business. While I did learn many business principles, I also had the opportunity to examine my life. I learned the importance of establishing long-term goals by asking myself who I want to become and how I want to be remembered. I learned how daily choices affect my goals, such as getting up early, being honest, and doing my best in my classes. President Monson stated, “ It has been said that the door of history turns on small hinges, and so do people’s lives. We are constantly making small decisions. The outcome determines the success or failure of our lives. That is why it is worthwhile to look ahead, to set a course, and at least be partly ready when the moment of decision comes. True finishers have the capacity to visualize their objective. ” Setting goals, with a higher purpose in mind, is something I learned to do in this class. One of the first principles I learned that really resonate...
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Gratitude, Optimism, and Entrepreneurship

This week I read An Attitude of Gratitude from President Thomas S. Monson. In this talk he said, "This is a wonderful time to be living here on earth. Our opportunities are limitless. While there are some things wrong in the world today, there are many things right, such as teachers who teach, ministers who minister, marriages that make it, parents who sacrifice, and friends who help. We can lift ourselves, and others as well, when we refuse to remain in the realm of negative thought and cultivate within our hearts an attitude of gratitude. If ingratitude be numbered among the serious sins, then gratitude takes its place among the noblest of virtues." Since reading this talk, I have been thinking about the role of gratitude in my life. I keep a daily gratitude journal. I write down three things I am grateful for each day and one positive experience. In my life, it is often much easer for me to notice the negative. Keeping a gratitude journal is my way of training my brain...
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The Purpose of Business

Virtue and integrity are vital to a strong economy because integrity enables trust. Consumers are more likely to trust companies that deliver on their promises. When companies do not deliver on their promises, trust erodes and consumers no longer want to engage with companies.  In What's a Business For, writer Charles Handy states that the "real justification" for business is to make a profit so the business can achieve greater goals than just making a profit. Businesses should have a greater purpose in mind.   Charles Handy proposed solutions to help business serve a higher purpose and avoid current pitfalls.  One solution is for business leaders to take the same Hippocratic oath as many doctors. This oath includes the admonition to do no harm. If businesses take this oath seriously, they will be concerned for more than just profits. They will set high standards for themselves in regard to their impact on the environment. They will consider the lives o...
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Money

This week I had the opportunity to read Attitude on Money by Stephen Gibson. As I read and pondered this talk, I thought about my feelings on money. I believe that money in and of itself is not bad or good. However, the motivation for pursuing money can be good or bad. Like so many others before us, my husband and I sought training and careers to earn enough money to support our growing family. When we were young and still in school, it seemed like there was never enough money to take care of basic needs. As we worked hard, our motives were good. We wanted to take care of each other and our children. We wanted to be self-reliant. Just like motives, what a person does with money can be good or bad. Earlier this year I ran a race for an amazing charity that serves families whose children have been diagnosed with cancer. The husband and wife who started the charity lost their own son to cancer. They turned this personal tragedy into an opportunity to heal broken hearts. They send these ...
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The Person I Want To Become

This week I was able to have dinner with friends who were willing to share their entrepreneurial experiences with me. Steve and McKenna have started two businesses, one which was not as successful as they had hoped, and another which was very successful. They didn't hold anything back as they shared their experiences. During our conversation it struck me that some people would be unwilling to share advice and tips to get started. I know quite a few people who would want some kind of payment for this kind of advice. I insisted on paying for dinner which they were grateful for because they didn't feel like they wanted or needed anything in return. They were more than happy to share because we're friends and they are both kind and generous. One of the principles I have learned in this class is to decide now what kind of person I want to be. As I pursue my own goals, I want to be as generous as my good friends. I hope I am willing to share tips and advice when asked. I read a...
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Entrepreneur Interview

This week I started writing questions as I prepare to interview an entrepreneur. Initially I was not excited for this interview, because I was nervous about stepping out of my comfort zone. However, after contacting an entrepreneur and writing questions, I found myself feeling more excited and grateful for this opportunity. I get to interview a friend who is running a successful business along the same lines as what I would like to do one day. I can't wait to have a discussion and learn from someone who has already traveled on the path and is willing to offer guidance and advice. I hope I can do the same for someone else one day. In addition to preparing for this interview, I read some of Good to Great this week. It has stuck with me and I've thought a lot about the principles I learned. Two principles have stuck with me the most. First, leaders in great companies are both humble and driven. They want to succeed, but they really want everyone in the company to succeed, rather...
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Stones in the Road

This week I read several chapters in a book titled A Field Guide for the Hero's Journey. It has a lot of great advice and stories about getting through difficult times and fighting feelings of discouragement. My favorite chapter was chapter 5 about facing life's obstacles. At some point we all face seemingly insurmountable challenges. I thought about my 14 year-old son, Matthew, as I read this chapter. Matthew had a brain tumor when he was 9. He had brain surgery which successfully removed the entire tumor. Ever since that tumor, he's had annual MRI's to check for recurrence. The most recent MRI was just two weeks ago. After his scan, we were sitting together in his surgeon's office waiting for the results. I asked Matt if he was nervous. He looked at me and said, "No, I really don't think it's back. And even if it is, I'll just go through surgery again. It's not a big deal." The best part of this statement from Matt is that he meant it! ...
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