CELEBRATE YOUR LIFE

 FINAL TESTIMONY AND ENCOURAGEMENT

From the very beginning to the present time, a fundamental question remains to be answered by each who runs the race of life. Shall I falter, or shall I finish? On the answer await the blessings of joy and happiness here in mortality and eternal life in the world to come.

- President Thomas S. Monson

Reflect upon and describe the individual learning experiences you have had in this course. Include any course concepts that resonated with you. Respond to the following questions:

If you had one final lecture to share with a group of students on what you have learned from this course, what would you share?

I would adore introducing the students to the idea of lifelong learning. We need to make it a habit of studying and putting spiritual and secular ideas into practice if we want to become great entrepreneurs and be ready for any opportunity that may come our way. The Quorum of the Twelve Apostles' Elder Robert D. Hales preached that "lifelong learning is fundamental to the vigor of the human intellect, body, and spirit." It improves self-esteem and self-motivation. The benefits of lifelong learning include mental stimulation and excellent protection against aging, despair, and self-doubt. We must innovate by learning how to adapt to the always-changing world because of this. We can get to the state Elder Hale listed by doing these steps. I've learned during this course that the more I study, the more I realize how little I know and the more I want to learn.

What would be your last bit of advice to someone wanting to begin the entrepreneur journey?

I would advise anyone looking to start their own business to discover the needs in their community, connect those needs to their interests or passions, and then offer goods or services to fill those needs. As their motivation for starting a business stems from a desire to help solve a societal issue, they wouldn't want to give up when the company started to lose money. They would need to innovate to keep up quality while cutting expenses and altering their business strategy. Whether producing their goods or providing their services, they would also have the love of God and their fellow humans for the benefit of the society whose needs they desire to address.

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?

I won't depart from President Thomas S. Monson in offering words of wisdom, instruction, or caution. He cited an unidentified author who counseled us to stick with whatever we are doing until we master it. Because "Honor, power, place, and praise will always come to the one who stays," we ought to be among the few lenders in addition to the beginners. He came to the conclusion that only those who persevered through hardship and worked hard would reap the rewards of life. These are the exact words of an anonymous author:

Stick to your task ’til it sticks to you;
Beginners are many, but enders are few.
Honor, power, place, and praise
Will always come to the one who stays. Stick to your task ’til it sticks to you;
Bend at it, sweat at it, smile at it, too;
For out of the bend and the sweat and the smile
Will come life’s victories after a while.

Written by Emmanuel Lartey Hor.

An applied business management student at the Brigham Young University-Idaho

A JOURNEY OF GRATITUDE

 ATTITUDE OF GRATITUDE

This week's lesson has got me thinking about the journey I have to take as an entrepreneur.

It has struck me so deeply that I have come to know that, as an entrepreneur, I have to continue showing gratitude in everything I do in life. Gratitude is the ability to appreciate a deed, goods, and or services rendered by an individual.

Showing appreciation or thanking people for the good they have done for you motivates them to do more.

I have to show gratitude to God, my family, teachers, and mentors who seek the building of the relationship we have with them. Gratitude showing reflects the imagery of our real self and produces self-discipline.

Another lesson I learned is to be a generalist to avoid the wrong job. Specialization of careers has become so popular that most people find themselves doing what we term "the wrong job." We need to sacrifice to learn from all the skills at their disposal so as to avoid them saying the job is not for us. Being a generalist allows entrepreneurs to work in multiple fields and bring a wealth of experience.

All entrepreneurs must choose their careers to avoid being on the wrong path.

BECOMING A CHANGE-MAKER

 ENTREPRENEUR, CONSECRATION, AND CHANGE-MAKER

The following are the top three ideas I have acquired from this week's study materials:

1. Business and sanctification.
2. Become an agent of transformation.
3. Look for the desire to be virtuous.

What I had intended to do with my life as an entrepreneur has been confirmed after reading the provided papers and viewing the videos. The three ideas I learned are so crucial that they have improved my understanding of what someone with wealth should do and why they should do it.

Elder Gay described his early years and the events that boosted his determination to battle for his family's financial independence. Because of his financial independence, he did not back down and instead grasped the idea of devotion.  To help him construct Zion, he gave his tithe, learned how to manage his money better, and helped the less fortunate. It also tells me that an entrepreneur must make changes in all they do in order to change the game. All individuals should be impacted by the changes, which should bring about financial stability and inspire them to live moral lives and serve God. 

Again, if a person gains wealth by whatever means, he should give it to the less fortunate so that they can all become one, as Christ predicted. Make it a reality and a personal goal that by benefiting others, enormous success may be attained at the conclusion of the trip.

Learning and being truthful in my tithing payment is the first thing I need to accomplish. Whether it is a large or small salary or compensation, I will pay my tithe as soon as I get it. As I embark on this entrepreneurial adventure, I'll also keep an eye out for the positive aspects that will contribute to my success. 

I will always give greater weight to providing assistance to the weak, allowing them to learn new skills, and acting as a catalyst for their development. My family's expansion will be a top priority for me, ahead of the Lord and His ministry. Serving others will be my trademark, and I'll learn to adjust to changes to bring much more success to the people I aid. I'll also make sure to give full credit to the Lord for everything I do.

MEASURING THE COST

 FAMILY AND WORK

This week was a tough one presenting with us a case study that does happen in the world today. 

Balancing work with family is one of the challenges that businessmen and entrepreneurs face in their life all the time. In the video "Balancing Your Life and Work Effectively," Randy Komisar discusses choosing priorities and making compromises. I concur with him that we must establish our priorities to avoid being disoriented while pursuing our goals and that some tradeoffs are unavoidable. Meg Cadoux Hirshberg provided some excellent recommendations in the film "Surviving the Entrepreneurial Life: Work and Family," including scheduling regular, scheduled family meetings, learning about and understanding your kids' needs, and including the family in your job. She gives good advice on how to make the most of intimate situations. These suggestions are excellent for the second mini-case scenario. We will be able to accomplish more with their help if we are open with them and involve our family, rather than failing. 

A proper perspective is crucial whenever we are at a crossroads. It aids us in establishing sound priorities and preventing loss while achieving our aspirations. I am appreciative of the lesson from this week and even more appreciative that I do not have to make difficult decisions like the one in the little instances. I take seriously anything having to do with the family. I initially had a lot of reservations about it, but I've now realized that no matter what, my family comes first. Clients will come and go, but my family and our relationship will always be there. I will use technology effectively and explain to the customer why it is necessary to use it at this time because it has advanced and can be used to complete all business activities.

I discovered that living a life of fulfillment does not involve working nonstop as an entrepreneur to gain money; rather, it entails loving people, juggling job and family obligations, honoring the Lord in your life, pursuing your calling, and doing good. I will never swap my family for anything that will rather damage our love for each other and Heavenly Father. The world constantly offers us tricks that make it desirable most of the time, but if we venture into it, it will demolish everything we spent years building. 

As I make my way into the world of entrepreneurship, this case is teaching me a lot. I'm learning that I shouldn't ever put my job before my family and that instead, I should be wise and devoted to both. Integrity is the defining trait.

In the end, we are remembered with this hymn " There is beauty all around when there's Love at Home."

DREAM BIG DREAMS

 THE CHALLENGE TO BECOME

The lesson from this week made me happy and gave me more understanding of how, as an entrepreneur, I should live my life.

I now have a more comprehensive understanding of the life of an entrepreneur thanks to the readings Think Big, License to Pursue Dreams, Your Emotional Imprint, and The Challenge to Become. I will therefore condense these into three key ideas for myself as I navigate this life.

1. Be who you are.

2. Have a plan and keep individuals in mind.

3. Get your prize.

Be who you are. I've come to understand that to succeed in life, one needs to be at ease with oneself, dream large, and be open with others. The Challenge to Become taught me that to reach the highest level of heaven, one must be converted and that having a testimony is not the only path to follow. As such, I now know that I must make accommodations that will allow me to be who I am while also receiving the necessary care and producing goods that are satisfactory for human needs.

Plan and keep others in mind. With "License to Pursue Dreams," I have also realized that it is others who will accept my abilities and skills and value my sacrifice. Considering this, I must have a strategy that will enable others to endorse me favorably and provide me the freedom to consistently pursue my dreams. As an entrepreneur, a strategy won't be successful if the people aren't kept in mind. For this reason, as I continue to be myself and make plans, the people should be kept in mind: they are my life suggestions.

Try to get your Gem. The Challenge to Become has taught me that, as an entrepreneur, I should never give up and consider the likelihood that I will realize my dream. The ability to endure despite any obstacles or hurdles I may face is ultimately what will determine if I achieve my goals. As these appear, Your Emotional Fingerprint appears, where I must identify and comprehend the reasons behind how I react to various life circumstances. The more positive traits I cultivate, the more they will help me plan and be prepared to accept any obstacles that may come my way. Throughout this time, I'm learning how to correct my blueprint and unleash my inner good wolf. I learned from Taylor Richards to always uphold my potential. He declared: "Never let someone convince you that you can't fulfill your goals and desires. Also, if you include the Lord, you can achieve your goals."

Big dreams can be realized only through a combination of self-improvement, goal setting, self-belief, celebration, other people's support, and a trustworthy and forward-thinking society.

NOTE: A zigzag plan that takes a long time to succeed is preferable to short-term happiness.

DISCIPLE LEADERSHIP

 LEADERS AND TRUSTWORTHY PEOPLE

A disciple is an individual who learns about and follows the Savior, Jesus Christ.

A leader is an individual who manages a group of people to attain a specific goal and therefore takes such a group of people to higher ground. I have come to know that not only do leaders lead, but they also learn and follow Jesus Christ in all aspects of their lives. They teach and place more emphasis on building trust in a working environment or anywhere they may find themselves.

To build trust among working colleagues, a leader must be an example and have a well-built image of trust. They become trustworthy people who are bakers and not eaters. They have the default of saying "Yes." Trust is built when employers seek to employ good and nice people. People who have the capabilities to keep learning keep trying new things. People who learn to collaborate in an environment of passion and good leadership Character also matters to help make the whole process of building trust certain and valuable.

 

As an entrepreneur, I have come to understand that I have to promote trust as my hallmark and be a leader who causes things to happen and motivates people with their willing conviction. As I grow into the entrepreneurial life, I need to be quick to adapt to changes that may occur along the way. It is not enough to be good and nice; one must also have the attribute of trust, because that will create an avenue of love and friendship with consumers of my products. I should learn how to teach this with power and help people realize their potential. As an entrepreneur, you must learn to be a baker and not an eater, which portrays diligence and illumines the leadership power in them to help speak power to the never-ending change in the human race.

OVERCOMING CHALLENGES

 OVERCOMING CHALLENGES

Sometimes in life, things become so burdensome that one may think or see that the world is not in favor of them.

This week's learning on overcoming challenges has given me another way I can face life's challenges as an entrepreneur and how to balance my fears so that they eventually turn into strengths. One of the videos about "You can do all things." that I watched had a quote saying that you shouldn't underestimate yourself. This teaches me that no matter what I face, I should never give up on life or on things that will elevate me.

I have come to understand and learn about some concepts and would like to share three of them. They are, "You can do anything; good things to come; and however long and hard the road." Elder Holland, one of the leaders of the church, said, and I quote, "Don't you quit! You keep walking. You keep trying. There is help and happiness ahead. Some blessings come soon. Some come late, and some don't come till heaven. But for those who embrace the gospel of Jesus Christ, they come. It will be alright in the end. Trust God, and believe in good things to come." This clearly teaches all three concepts I learned this week: As an entrepreneur, I should hope for the best no matter how far or difficult things are. The blessings of God come in bit by bit until a man attains his full blessings.

My greatest challenge in business is the ability to stay consistent in the business market. I have seen many businesses that have collapsed because of inconsistency. I believe I will fail if my products are no longer popular in society or if they are not recognized, and I will eventually collapse.

My family and friends can help me come out of this by continuously seeking out ways to let my products reach more people and increasing the level of customers, the frequency of purchase, and the average order. I know that the challenges I may face are there to strengthen me and help me learn new ways of helping solve human issues. Trusting in the Lord will give me the ability to continue pressing forward. I have come to understand that the challenges are not when you are doing something, but when one is not trying to face his fears and come up with new ways to approach search business situations.