Entrepreneurial Journal Final Blog

As I wrap up this course, I want to leave my testimony and advice to anyone looking to embark on their own entrepreneurial journey.  

What words of advice, direction, or caution would you give him or her if you had only one chance to give your own last lecture?

Welcome to the journey of entrepreneurship.  What an exciting adventure!  My advice to anyone looking to start their own journey is BELIEVE in yourself and know you can do it!  Pray for direction and you will be led to knowing your calling.  I am a big believer that we have all been placed on this earth to help build His kingdom and through the unique talents each of us has been given we can make a difference.   Work on things that matters.  Make someone else's life better.  There is no greater joy that can come than the joy of helping someone else.   

Define your core values -  Core values are comprises that will never be broken.  Keep these core values lined up with the gospel.  Let these core values define you and your vision, and do not falter.  Follow the formula for happiness - Jim Ritchie shared the formula for happiness.  Get up early, work hard, find your oil, get your education, set your mark, and prepare to give back.  

Be a leader - Get the job done.  Use your natural talents, mastering a disciple in a way that brings you great joy and serve the needs of others, and you will be on our way to discovering a "calling" in life.  Learn to execute.  Knowing how to execute is so valuable and rare.  Accept the mission to get started, be curious, sketch out a plan, and execute.  Lead by example.  The best way to lead is to be on the path yourself.  Lead with a vision.  Lead with love.  Be humble, passionate, loving, yet also driven.  Be the kind of leader you would want to be led by.  Never ask your employees to do anything you are unwilling to do.  

Balance your life - While you are searching for the thing that burns inside of you.  That thing that occupies your every thought and brings a sense of energy, be mindful of balance.  Set boundaries and set priorities.  Families should not come in second to a career.  Yes, find something you love, but love yourself, the Lord and your families also.  Rest!  Take a break to do something else. It is healthy for you.  Take care of yourself a long the way.  

Have an attitude of gratitude - Remember always the story of the ten lepers.  "And as he entered into a certain village, there met him ten men that were lepers, which stood afar off.  And they lived up their voices, and said, Jesus, Master, have mercy on us."  As Jesus healed them from this most terrible of circumstances, yet only one turned back to thank Him.  Always give thanks!  All that we have been given comes from above and we are nothing without him.  Remember to always, always give thanks.  

Start somewhere, and start now - So many of us are waiting to discover the ONE grand thing we are suppose to do. The truth is, there is no ONE big thing.  Instead, there is a journey.  A journey that includes many things.  One of the biggest mistakes I have made is wasting time waiting for the perfect moment.  We can make a difference now.  Elder Gay taught, "We had no money, we were young students, and I will never forget how many evenings we found ourselves compelled to go to Deer Creek Reservoir to fish for dinner."  He continues, "Out of necessity to make ends meet, my wife and I both started our own businesses while we attended school.  She started a sewing business and I developed a small snack pie business.  God has left the world unfinished for man to work his skill.  I absolutely love this!  While it is important to plan and prepare, execution is vital.  I think we can spend our wholes lives preparing for the perfect job, the perfect product, the perfect place, and the perfect me; but the reality is, there is no perfect.  See a need and fill a need.  Set a goal and go get it.  It is okay to start small and it is okay to start big, but start! 

In closing, I am reminded of the parable of the talents.  "How unhappy he was with the person who had but one talent and who, out of fear of losing that one talent, buried it in the ground."  Such a powerful reminder that we have been given talents and resource to bless OTHERS.  Do not lose them, go and double them.