Entrepreneur Journal Week 5: Mastery: Skill, Charachter or Luck? The Hero's Journey.

                                                                                                                        

Week 4: Mastery: Skill, Character, or Luck?                                                                                               February 1-7, 2015

Entrepreneur Journal entry 5

This week we studied “Are Successful Entrepreneurs Born or Made” from Action. “Perseverance” by-James Faust- April 2005.   We watched E-Corner Videos:  “How Do You Find Your Passion and how Do You Pursue It?”  by Randy Komisar, April 28, 2004.  “Most Entrepreneurs are Not Rock Stars” by David Friedberg, October 5, 2011. We Also Watched Jeff Sandefer’s “Hero’s Journey” Devotional to BYU-Idaho.   We read a case study entitled “Spreading Happiness: Warm Fuzz Cards” about Erica Mills and Craig Mills, founders of Fuzz Cards, a greeting card company. We began reading two Books:  “So You Want to Be an Entrepreneur? How to Decide If Starting a Business Really Is For You” By John Gillespie-Brown; and “Mastery, The Keys to Success and Long-Term Fulfillment” by George Leonard.

Some of the main things that resonated with me this week were from Jeff Sandefer’s “A Hero’s Journey.”  He says: “The Hero’s Journey is all about you, but not about you at all.”  He teaches to have a mentor meeting with 10 role models, from all aspects of our life, in three specific age groups: 20-45, 45-60 and 60+.  He encourages to meet for 1-3 hours and ask about triumphs, regrets, lessons they wished they learned earlier etc.  He shares that the age group 60+ all answers can be boiled down to three questions and he shared the lessons accompanying each:

1.       Have I contributed something meaningful?

a.       What is my special gift- ask 5 people I know well, what I do better than anyone else in the world to press for specifics and examples and that their answers will be surprising and consistent.

b.      Use God-given gifts to do something that brings me great joy and satisfies deep need in the world that helps others.  When found the thing that intersects all 3 than have found the calling.

2.       Am I a good person?

a.       Establish and Maintain Ethical Guardrails- make a list of all “I Will Not’s” then when I do cross it off, recognize is as a signal to stop, reflect, redirect.  Anticipate moments of great temptations write a message to self, label and put in drawer for when you are considering crossing those boundaries- your message in a bottle

b.      Joke- what is the biggest difference between God and you?. . . God never believes he is you.

3.       Who did I love and who loved me?

a.       Choose Fellow travelers well, surround yourself with people of character- you become like those people you surround yourself with. 

b.      You can never get back the precious and fleeting moments with your young children.

c.       Give up measuring yourself against others-stepping stones to gratitude.

d.      Thank the people in your life.

What does this all mean to me.  as Jeff Sandefer said:
"Don't Waste Your Life"

  "Don't be full of pride thinking it is all about you."

Keep an eternal perspective to help guide me through this life.

"The Start Up of You" Reid Hoffman and Ben Casnocha

The Start-Up of You

Adapt to the Future, Invest in Yourself, and Transform Your Career

Reid Hoffman cofounder and chairman of LinkedIn, and Ben Casnocha

Summary: Everything is changing and we will need to change and adapt, quickly, intelligently and constantly.    This change will involve networking with many key people, learning new things, taking calculated risks, and thinking outside of traditional career paths.  You are in the business of you.
This was a so so book for me.  There are some great concepts in this book, but there is a lot of blah information as well.  The author frequently puts down many traditionally looked up to and successful people in the business world and their methods of achieving success.  There is some information about networking as he is one of the co founders of LinkedIn, he has access to see what works and what doesn’t or is just flat out tasteless. This book sometimes feels like a marketing tool for LinkedIn with a few program tips or fun facts thrown in.
Some concepts that I can apply to my life right now are it is helpful to gain a better understanding of how the co founder of LinkedIn would recommend navigating and utilizing resources in the program and in person.  I like the concept of Permanent Beta, although I would not call it that. It reminds me of taking a road trip without having a final destination chosen, you would have many experiences and some of them would be fantastic, but after all that serendipitous turning and meeting all those really cool people, I think you might look back on your life and feel that you did not set a goal and therefore could not ever really achieve your desire.  It seems more like a life of instant gratification instead of planning, patience, persistence, perseverance, perspiration, and peace that comes when you have obtained the prize you have sought after for so long.
Some concepts and quotes I liked:
“Take intelligent and bold risks to accomplish something great.  Build a network of alliances to help you with intelligence, resources and collective action. Pivot to a breakout opportunity.”
The author does not plan several years from now.  He states that nothing will be the same so you must keep a mind set of ”Permanent beta” to help you watch, interpret and adapt to the constant change.
“Finished ought to be an F-word for all of us. We are all works in progress. Each day presents an opportunity to learn more, do more, be more, grow more in our lives and careers.  Keeping your career in permanent beta forces you to acknowledge that you have bugs, that there’s new development to do on yourself, that you will need to adapt and evolve.  But it’s still a mind-set brimming with optimism because it celebrates that fact that you have the power to improve yourself and, as important, improve the world around you.”
“How to develop the skill set of you

• Develop your competitive advantage in the market by combining three puzzle pieces: your assets, your aspirations, and the market realities.(Chapter 2)
• Use ABZ Planning to formulate a Plan A based on your competitive advantages, and then iterate and adapt that plan based on feedback and lessons learned. (Chapter 3)
• Build real, lasting relationships and deploy these relationships into a powerful professional network. (Chapter 4)
• Find and create opportunities for yourself by tapping networks, being resourceful, and staying in motion. (Chapter 5)
• Accurately appraise and take on intelligent risk as you pursue professional opportunities. (Chapter  6)
• Tap Network intelligence from the people you know for the insight that allows you to find better opportunities and make better career decisions. (Chapter 7)”

“Competitive advantage underpins all career strategy.”
“The fastest way to change yourself is to hang out with people who are already the way you want to be.”
“Relationship builders, on the other hand, try to help people first.  They don’t keep score.  They’re aware that many good deeds get reciprocated, but they are not calculated about it.  They think about their relationship all the time, not just when they need something”
“Empathize and help first
1.See the world from other person’s perspective.   2. How can you help or collaborate with other person rather than thinking about what you can get from them”
Skilled Negotiators vs. Average Negotiators: “Time spent searching for shared interests, asking questions of other person and forging common ground.  Other person truly benefit as opposed to driving hard bargain out of self interest.”
“Ask what is in it for US?”
“Company- Latin-     Cum    pane - breaking bread together”
”I^we Individuals power is raised exponentially with the help of a team (network)”
Status Dynamics:  “He failed to recognize how his personal talents might make his boss look diminished in the eyes of others.  He failed to navigate the status dynamics around him; failed to account for the insecurities, status anxieties, and egos of everyone else.  He failed to build relationships with the people above him and below him on the totem pole. And ultimately, he paid the price with his job.”
 Get out and Do: “You won’t stumble upon opportunities that rocket your career forward- if you’re lying in bed.  When you do something, you stir the pot and introduce the possibility that seemingly random ideas, people, and places will collide and form new combinations and opportunities.”
“Professional Allies or Weak Ties (W.T. the ones who refer jobs are the ones you don’t know very well)”
When you want to network with someone you don’t know, do some research on them and then “tailor request for introduction to something you’ve learned…you’ve mentioned that. . .I noticed that. . . I’m curious what. . . “

“The best networks are:                                                                                                                                                            Cohesive and diverse                                                                                                                                                                         Both narrow/deep (strong connections)                                                                                                                                             and    wide/shallow (bridge ties)”
“Status( Power, prestige, and rank within given social setting at given moment in time)                                                                 treat people with respect, be considerate of other person’s time                                                                                             Power Jostling, gamesmanship, and status signaling                                                                                                        Everyone is equal, yet, everyone is not equal”
“Be curious, court serendipity and good randomness, take intelligent risks”
“Get information for your network talk to:

1. Domain Experts
2. People you know well
3. Really smart people

• Collect readings from multiple sensors
• analyze each piece of info that comes in
• synthesize various streams of data and understand how different pieces fit together”

“FRAME AND PRIME, FOLLOW UP AND PROBE”

Entrepreneur Journal Week 4: Clayton Christensen

January 25-31, 2015

This week's theme was a life well lived. We studied Clayton Christensen's "How will you measure your life?" Watched E Corner videos "Do what you love" by Tom Kelley and "Effective choices, not longer days" by Jeff Hawkins. We also read "Little Things are Important" by Elder Joseph Wirthlin. We finished reading "The Start-up of You" I loved Clayton Christensen's concepts about keeping your life the focus and not to get sidetracked or swept up with the day-to-day; that you misdirect your efforts from those things that matter most, our relationships. His message radiates joy through me as I am to find my path where I concentrate my focus as a wife and mother yet apply focus on business pursuits I feel divinely inspired to pursue as well. I felt lifted as I read and studied about how people are business. Gone was the yucky feeling that can associate business classes. I felt light, inspired, guided and empowered.
Elder Wirthlin also reminds us of the importance of our relationship with God, ourselves,and others. He also teaches us the importance of each minute. He says " managing the minute is the secret of success." With each minute that passes I need to ensure I am learning, doing and becoming who I need to be, as I further develop my relationship with the father and as I make continuing efforts to serve my fellowmen.

Bucket List

My bucket list
50 things I want to do before I die
1. Continue enjoying time with my family and raising my children, have more if Heavenly Father wills
Deepen and strengthen my relationship with Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ and the Holy Ghost and each of my family members
Sense all my husband's needs and support him as will bless him the most. Cherish him in all things be a source of encouragement and love always
Get my bachelors degree
Get my masters degree
Help each child develop faith in Jesus Christ and Heavenly Father, to develop a strong loving and personal relationship with the divine that will help them on their divine missions on earTh. Help them love the lord.
Help instill a love of service and giving in their hearts
See each son serve a mission
See each child marry in the temple
10. Help each Child develop a love of learning and desire and obtaining goal of a completing their college education.
Serve missions
Learn to Speak/ read Spanish fluently
Learn to speak/ read French fluently
Learn to speak/ read additional languages fluently
Visit every temple in the United States, and around the rest of the world.
Church history tour
Complete 3 generations of family history, temple work completed
Complete 6 generations of family history, temple work completed
Complete more generations of family history work and all associated ordinances
20. Develop lasting relationships that people not only feel my love for them, but more importantly the Savior's love for them.
To do the lords will always, everyday of my life is a gift to him
Be financially secure and be able to help others always in the way the lord would have me
Be meek and humble, full of love long suffering, patient. Temperate kind etc
Control my temper (volume)and my tongue
Learn to play the guitar well
Sing like an angel( this one is going to take a lot of work!)
Play1, 3, 6, 10, 20 hymns to be able to accompany when called upon.
Learn to conduct well, meetings, music, etc.
Visit each state
30. Travlel worldwide
Live abroad for a time
Be healthy
Own businesses
Help others with employment
Help women with education and employment that won't take them away from their homes and families that will strengthen and bless all of them (then, their families, communities ,etc)
Be a successful motivational speaker,(also with my husband, too)
Be a published author
Strengthen families mine and those with whom are within my contact. Happiness and joy, unity, love, prosperity.
Turn my weaknesses into strengths
40. Do something special for each member of my family that rocks their world and let's them know how incredible they are and how loved they are.
Help bring people have faith in Jesus Christ.
Gain more knowledge about self reliance, how to make groceries, how to use herbs and oils to help nourish and heal from illness or injury
Race a 5k, 10k
Race a triathalon
Help my family love service
Help my community be a gathering place
See the one who needs an arm around them and to help them be included and actively participate.
Help be able to identify and meet others needs
Meet apostles and their wives, families etc.
Be worthy to live with our Father in Heaven and our Savior Jesus Christ, and help others desire and be worthy to do the same. I want to be someone he can always depend upon to do what is right.

Entrepreneur Journal Week 3: Sherri Dew: True Blue, Through and Through; Frank Levinson, and Magdalena Yesil

Entrpreneurial Blog Journal Entry
January 19-24, 2015

This week we studied Talks given By Sherri Dew: True Blue, Through and Through, BYUI devotional March 16, 2004.  This talk was about Integrity.
Some things she taught that really stuck out to me.  She said: “Honesty is just the beginning of integrity. . . It is a foundational virtue upon which all other virtues are dependant.”

Integrity

“Integrity engenders confidence and peace of mind, whereas breaching integrity always has painful consequences.”
“It is not possible to develop a relationship-any relationship with someone you can’t trust.  Trust can only be engendered in an atmosphere of integrity.  It is a Keystone that holds every organization together.”
“Anything that lacks integrity is unstable”
“James 1:8 teaches a double minded man is unstable in all his ways.”
“You and I live in a world FILLED with pressure. How then under repeated presuure may we avoid allowing small cracks in our integrity to form so we may do what we came here to do?”
7 things to help us become men and women of integrity
1.Decide Today
2.Have Faith that the Lord will help you, and then diligently seek his help
3. Make covenants and keep them
4.Stand up for what you believe
5.Expect your integrity to be challenged
  6. Don’t give up
7. Covenant( or renew your covenant) with Our Father and His Son to do what you came here to do

She also teaches us some specific questions she asks herself while interviewing people to works as officers at Deseret Book.
1.Can I trust this person’s motives?
2. Can I trust this person’s judgement?
3. Can I trust that he or she will tell me the truth?
Skills are imperative, integrity is even more so.

Faith activates the power of the atonement in our lives

The Savior’s perfect pattern of integrity: “Here am I, send me” to “It is finished, thy will is done”

I loved this devotional talk.  It helped me to be able to identify the cause of why some people do what they do in business, and in life.  I learned that integrity, or the lack thereof, is what has caused so many situations to not work how they should.  To not be win/win.  It was wonderful to now be able to identify it.  I think that will help me immensely when choosing to work with/for people.  It also is a good reminder about the pressures that we face.  I don’t currently have a problem with integrity, but will be faced with experiences that will challenge my integrity and reveal weak areas that will crack if not remedied swiftly, thoroughly, and properly.  Just focus on keeping ourselves and our actions consistant with those of a disciple of Jesus Christ.

We also watched a few e corner videos, two of a man names Frank Levinson, from Finisar Corp. filmed October 31, 2001. Here are my thoughts about one of those videos as I posted them on the class discussion board as well.
I enjoyed watching the “10 must haves for a start up” by Frank Levinson.
I like his David Letterman style countdown.  Overall his message is: it is okay to keep it scrappy. I will compare this to a tree.  If you take care of your roots and the rest of the tree will flourish.  If you allow the tree to grow without thought or proper care of the roots the consequences will be drastic and are frequently devastating.

I interpreted his message as: Have a good head on your shoulders and a good thought process about what your real goals are in business and how to achieve them.  Avoid putting yourself in bondage of deceit, debt and pride.  Remember business is all about people, you, your family, your partner, your customers and your employees, etc. so treat them well.  Listen to them, evaluate and interpret what they are saying, adapt to meet their needs and wants, listen.  It will help you to continue to become better or to handle change.

 I personally like his advice that I can do as a wife to support my husband’s relationships with our children of making family time a priority and keep it flexible on how to have it happen.

I really enjoyed each of these.  At first, I read about Magdalena Yesil begrudgingly and wondered why we were reading about her.  I do not know if I got the point that the course creators were trying to make with her story, but, I did find wonderful examples of a woman succeeding in business as well as keeping her life and family preferences top priority.

Magdalena Yesil

1. How did Magdalena Yesil’s habit of lifelong learning benefit her career?  I feel that Magdalena Yesil’s never backed away from an opportunity that would bring her joy.  She worked hard; she studied and learned any and all information necessary to make informed decisions. She was rewarded for her diligence and persistence because she was prepared when opportunities came her way.  She also created her life.  She said yes to projects, jobs and moves that interested her.  She said no to those that were not consistent with her life, her goals and her ambitions.  She was not one to stay in opportunities that limited or stifled her.  When she says yes, she commits herself fully and learns everything she may need to know. She has an incredible internal drive for knowledge and understanding.
2. If you were in Yesil’s position, how would you respond to the offer made by UVSP? I think that Yesil is a person that thrives in new environments, new challenges etc.  I think that if I was Yesil with her history, I would decide to take the Venture Partner roll where I could have a foot in both worlds.  I would be able to learn and understand the Venture Capatilist side of things that interests Yesil so much without having to give up the opportunities that come to her privately.  I think that having the long-term commitment and limiting financial restraints due to the position of being a General Partner would cause her to be unhappy in the long term.  Initially, I think she would be thrilled, but she seems to be someone who like to be able to take action.

3. How would you address the challenges to family life that this kind of career would present to you? Why would you remain or not remain in this type of career?  I think this type of career like all careers has many positive and negative benefits to family life.  I think that Yesil set up a very family oriented life.  Throughout all her career changes, she stayed located in Silicon Valley with her husband, children and Yesil’s mother.  They did not have to move around with each new career change she made. Yesil had to travel, probably a lot, but her family situation was set up that the children were cared for by family.  The article states that Yesil worked east coast hours if she worked a 9-5 in New York, it would be between 6-2pm in California.  She could work and have an incredible amount of time to be with her family. They lived modestly and saved as well. I think she set up her life fabulously.  She knew what was important to her and was unwilling to deviate from her desired family life. 
For me, I would want to utilize the travel time as opportunities for traveling with my family as well, because that is something that is important to my family.  If my life were set up like Yesil’s I would definitely stay in this type of career for as long as I felt happy and my family was thriving.

4. Magdalena pondered one more transition, from entrepreneur to financier.  What would you recommend she consider doing? Why?  I think it is a very realistic move on her part.  She worked many long hard hours.  She invested her time in doing all the leg work, she is getting older as are her children.  She has lived “modestly” and has money to invest to help her maximize her residual income.  I think it is a natural step for her to take and it appears as it is something that interests her very much.  She does not seem to be happiest when she has many barriers to freedom of any kind.  A career with USVP as a general partner comes with severe limitations as to what Yesil will be able to do when she feels ready for more.

Entrpreneur Journal Week 2: Randy Pauch's Last Lecture

Entrepreneurial journal entry 2
January 11-17, 2015

This week I have learned so much.  I have a true entrepreneurial spirit and have just been energized and encouraged through and through when it comes to my studies.  I have also had a difficult week because several family members are ill. My husband is very ill and has been for a while.  This week has been particularly bad for him.  I need to figure out how I can interact with the business world while still being true to myself and my priorities of my family.  My children are little entrepreneurs as well so they love to listen in to the videos and readings as well.   I love to include them in our business ventures.  When I do, life feels complete and there is no separation or feelings of being torn in different directions.  I felt discouraged at the lack of resources available to assist me with my approach to business.  It would be great to have some specific encouragement and guidance to help meet the needs of myself and other students like me.

Randy Pausch’s Last Lecture

1. Why do you think Randy Pausch was able to achieve so many of his childhood dreams?
Randy Pausch had some pretty awesome childhood dreams.  He dreamt of being in zero gravity, authoring an article in the World Book Encyclopedia, being Captain Kirk, and one of the guys who wins the big stuffed animals in the amusement park and last but not least an Imagineer with Disney.  I think he was able to achieve his dreams because he kept his goals in mind, he worked hard, he was prepared and when the opportunities came, he did not take no for an answer, he found a way to make it work. 
2. Do you feel that dreaming is important? Why or why not?
I absolutely feel that dreaming is important.  I feel that if you are no longer dreaming you have allowed the challenges of life and fear overcome you and you are not really living.  Dreaming means change, progress, growth and adventure.
3. Discuss at least one of your childhood dreams. Explain why you believe you can or cannot achieve this dream. One of my childhood dreams is that I want to own a ranch that accomplishes many things.  It is a place where I can raise my children.  As part of the ranch, there are bunkhouses where other families can live and work on the ranch to until they are able to get back on their feet or settled to where they need to be. As part of the ranch, there will be several businesses ran.  A general store selling products made from the farms and produce from the gardens. A vacation retreat with activities galore to participate in and de-stress, or for family reunions, weddings, corporate retreats etc.  The ranch will be a central figure in the community to offer support and strength making it a great area for families to live.
I think the dream can definitely happen.  It may not be exact but as long as it contains the main things of helping families, people and our community.  Our home is a gathering place and welcoming to all.  We live and teach self reliance principles and life balance and enjoyment.  My husband and I have similar dreams and goals and with what we envision for our lives it could totally work.  I don’t actually own the ranch, but the principles of why we want to have the ranch and all the parts that come with it are already woven into our lives.

Entrepreneur Journal week 1: The Start Up of You and BYU-Idaho a Disciple Preparation Center

January 4-10, 2015

This week I learned many things. We studied, “The Startup of You, by Reid Hoffman and Ben Casnocha,
Elder David A. Bednar’s A Disciple Preparation Center and Your Whole Souls as an Offering Unto Him. We watched many videos including the BYU-Idaho Hinckley Building Dedication. It was great to hear and to feel the spirit bearing testimony of the sacredness and importance of the work and skills taught and gained at BYU-Idaho. I want to focus this entry on Elder Bednar’s devotional addresses.

“A Disciple Preparation Center, Elder David A. Bednar, August 31, 2004, Brigham Young University-Idaho Devotional
BYU-I is similar to all MTC’s they consider themselves a Disciple Training Center.
1. BYU-I is located in a isolated geographic area
2. Students are enrolled for a short period of time
3. The learning and teaching processes at BYU-I are focused and intense
4. There is a distinguishing standard of deportment and dress
5. Is adjacent to a temple
Disciple: is one who follows or attends upon another for the express purpose of learning, they both follow and learn.
Preparation: implies the process of making or getting ready; the previous putting or setting in order for any action or purpose.
Center: a point from which things and influences originate or emanate.
Disciple Preparation Center: A place in which followers of the master learn and are set in order and are made ready- and from which their influence flows into the world.
Added spiritual strength for BYU-I 1. BYU-I is a temple of learning, 2. Located next to a holy temple, even a House of the Lord 3.BYU-I is surrounded by strong stakes of Zion.
Only other places Lord has prepared like this: Provo, Utah; Laie, Hawaii; Salt Lake City, Utah; and Rexburg, Idaho.
DPC Lessons
A disciples Faith is focused upon the Son of God
A disciple recognizes that faith in the Savior is a spiritual gift and appropriately seeks for that gift in his/her life.
A disciple’s faith in the Savior and spiritual preparation dispel fear
Your whole souls as an offering unto Him, Elder David A. Bednar, January 5, 1999 Ricks College Devotional.
Faithful and competent
Spiritual development and progress=Faithfulness
Academic discipline and competence= Diligence
Diligence and Competence is conscientiously and consistently and constantly learning how to learn. Preparing your mind for the important and weighty responsibilities that which will shortly come to you and for which you must be ready.
Ricks College Mission Statement
Build testimonies of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ and encourage living its principles
Provide a quality education for students of diverse interests and abilities
Prepare students for further education and employment, and for their roles as citizens and parents.
Maintain a wholesome academic, cultural, social and spiritual environment

Doctrine and Covenants 4:2 “Therefore, O ye that embark in the service of God, see that ye serve him with all your heart, might, mind and strength, that ye may stand blameless before God at the last day.
MIGHTY HEART and a STRONG MIND
A mighty heart is required for serving God. Equates to faithfulness and spiritual strength
A Strong Mind is also required for serving God. Equates to competence achieved through intellectual diligence and discipline.
Responsibility to yourself-means of personal preparation for challenges and responsibilities that lie ahead. Your family-as an expression of your appreciation for and gratitude to them. To the Savior and His Church- because of the covenants you already have made or will yet make-particularly sacrifice and consecration
Sacrifice-to offer or surrender something valuable or precious-pertains only to mortality. Requires us to willingly offer anything and everything that we possess for the sake of the Gospel of the Savior—including our character and reputation; our honor and applause; our good name among men; our houses; our lands; and even our families; all things, including our very lives if need be.
It is motivated by faith and hope and produces increased commitment and a desire to obey.
Only their best was good enough for the Lord- ONLY OUR BEST IS GOOD ENOUGH FOR THE LORD.
Consecration-develop and dedicate to a sacred purpose- we consecrate our time, talents, strength, property, and money to the upbuilding of the kingdom of God on this earth and the establishment of Zion. We promise to develop and devote our best selves. We will not only die for the gospel, but we will develop ourselves and live for the Gospel.
Motivated by charity and produces and increased desire to serve.
Sacrifice is preparation for Consecration”

Some ways that I applied these teachings in my life was I realized I needed to not take as many courses this semester so that I could address and administer to my husband and children’s specific needs. I would not be giving my best to anything if I neglected this sacred responsibility of being a wife and mother.