Week 10: Measuring the Cost, Life Balance

"We have the responsibility to be prepared, to be productive, to be faithful, and to be fruitful as well."

This was one of my favorite quotes from President Monsons talk, "Formula for Success."   He also said, "You and I have the responsibility to learn the word of God, to understand the word of God, and then to live his word. By so doing, we will find that we have learned and accepted the truth."  I find my self on a spiritual roller coaster sometimes and I get so frustrated with myself.  Why can't I always be glowing and on fire like when I was converted and baptized?  I realized that by continuing to live the gospel I have accepted the truth in my life!

I really enjoyed all the readings this week.  I have to admit, I was a little disappointed with the amount that was due Thanksgiving week.  I really wanted a lighter work load and to have a little "break". However, I think the reading really helped me reflect and think about the things I am grateful for the things that are most important to me.  The readings went along well with the talks that we had in Church on Sunday as well.  The speaker said, "we must learn that budgeting our time is just as important as budgeting our money."  I think that is the underlying message this week.

My favorite quote that I want to remember for Brother Gibsons talk:
“Money reveals the kind of person we are.”

Week 9: Dream Big Dreams

The ecorner video was short and quick, but it really stood out to me.  Google is one of the top company's to work for and I can see why.  My husband has tried to get his company to implement a similar rule but has been turned down.  They insist there isn't time and want employees to add "20%" to their weekends. I think I can apply this idea to my art business.  Allow myself to research and learn new things occasionally rather than fall into the rut of doing the same thing - just getting the jobs done.

Dallin H. Oaks talks reminded me of a talk on conversion I gave in the Adult session of our stake conference on conversion.  He said, "It is not even enough for us to be convinced of the gospel; we must act and think so that we are converted by it." and, "The gospel challenges us to be “converted,” which requires us to do and to become."


Listing my concerns for entrepreneurship at the end was very helpful.  I think my list would have been longer awhile ago.  However, after a semester of really pondering and thinking through my goals I felt more confident and less concerned about starting my business. 

Week 8: Loyalty and Leadership

This weeks reading made me think about the men and women the Lord wants us to be.  He has set standards and guidelines to help us be loyal, trustworthy, faithful and dedicated.  These attributes not only help us on a personal level, but in our professional lives as well. When we are true to who we are at home and at work we become the individual others will want to be around and do business with.

"A Letter to Garcia" posed some good questions for self reflection.  I try to be the person that is reliable and efficient.  Reading the questions thought I did realize that sometimes I try and go the quick way and ask for answers rather then find out for myself. (like needing help on the computer, I often default to my husband instead of attempt to fix it myself)  I think there needs to be a balance in this area.  We need to be willing and able to ask. Sometimes things will get done better if we learn the right way from an expert rather then trial and error and "Jerry rigging" it.  However, we also need to be accountable and willing to learn and improve for  ourselves. 

I enjoy the mentor sessions each week.  I know that some feel that it is a lot of necessary work.  However, I find a lot of value in taking the time to evaluate, contemplate, stratigize, set goals and make plans.  I have spent a lot of years dreaming of what entrepreneurship can be like.  Unless and buckle down and figure it out and actually do something, my dream will never become a reality.  I believe this is a small investment of time that will help pay off for future success.

Week 7: Overcoming Challenges

"He will not always take your afflictions from you, but He will comfort and lead you with love through whatever storm you face." - President Monson from Looking back and moving forward.

This week was inspirational and motivational as always.  I felt a moral boost and spiritual pick me up as I read through the talks and watched the videos.  I feel a new determination to stick to it!  No matter what it is, if it is worthwhile starting, then it is worthwhile finishing.

My son is almost 8 and is borderline special needs.  Homework is a challenge for him.  In math he is learning +1 or +10.  He does not understand the difference and really struggles.  I can see his little heart ache as he tries to comprehend something that just doesn't click for him.  After a long evening of drawing pictures, using counters and telling stories trying to help him, he finally figured out that 1 less than 2 is 1.  I cheered, danced and we both cried.  We hugged and I promised him that I would never give up on him and he can never give up, we are a team and we are going to figure it all out together.  It was a joyous time as a mother.  It is this determination that we need to apply to all good things in life, not to give up on ourselves, on our goals, our talents, our dreams and not each other!

I know some complain about the length of homework and mentor sessions.  However, I believe taking the time to really consider the questions is going to be very beneficial and am grateful to be "forced" to take this time to reflect on life and what my life will be like as an entrepreneur.  It has helped me think of things that I have not thought of before.  It has helped me get excited about things that made me nervous.  It has motivated me to do better!