Your dollars are clean.

This has been a great week for understand life/business principles. The most powerful statement, that I have thought a lot about, was from the speech given by Lynn Robbins. In his speech he talks about Spencer W Kimball speaking with a man about his store. President Kimball asks the man if he sells anything that he shouldn’t (things contrary to the Gospel of Jesus Christ). I would imagine proudly and somewhat relieved the man is able to answer that he does not sell anything that he shouldn’t. President Kimball’s response is “God bless you my faithful brother, your dollars are clean.” This statement speaks volumes and is the heart of many other of the reading and videos we reviewed. Frank Levinson shares in his video the importance to fanatically ethical and that we should never compromise that standard. I want to always be able to hold my head high and say proudly that “my dollars are clean.” Because really, how great would life be if you lied and cheated your way to the top? There’s a chance your family would no longer be there, deep down you would know you were wrong. Money doesn’t really matter if you are miserable.

Beliefs shape Experiences. Experiences lead to Actions. Actions become our Results. In the Rich Grad video we watched a large focus of it was around what we believe in and how it shapes our life. I know I have talked about this before but this is one of the best lessons I have learned and think about in many different scenarios. When working with a struggling employee I am thinking about what experiences they need to have that well help them. With my 7 month old son I think about how we will raise him and provide those beliefs and experiences.

And lastly a very simple thought. If you are invested in something you will work harder at it. Put some skin into what you are doing. Feel the pain when things go bad, and feel the rich rewards when you accomplish good works.

What's life all about?

This week from the readings and videos I have thought more about my life as a whole. About a year or so ago in a Public Speaking class we watched the entire "Last Lecture" speech given by Randy Pausch so it was nice revisiting this incredible message given by a man who has left his name in history and has taught more profoundly than some of the most well-known scholars. In the video he states "The brick walls are there to stop the people that don't want it bad enough." What do I want bad enough to get over or through that wall? What am I willing to sacrifice or spend my limited time on? I don't have a full answer to these questions yet, but yes I do want a career full of meaning, yes I do want to make a good salary and provide a comfortable life for my family. But more of what I truly want can be found on the list of 50 things I want to do in my life. Here are some points from my list.

1. Travel to Machu Picchu

2. Build a Pinewood derby car with my son

3. Run a half marathon

4. Serve a senior mission with my wife

5. Pay for a random stranger’s lunch

Those goals plus the 45 others on the list and the many more I will hopefully achieve are what truly make up my story. My hope would be to have a career that not only provides for my family but also allows me to focus on what matters most in my life and the lives of others.

"If your kids want to paint their bedroom, as a favor to me let them do it. It'll be okay"

I loved this comment as I just bought my first home and all I have been thinking about is how to increase the resale value. I have a 7 month old who will spend at least the first 5 or so years of life in this house, I need to be thinking less about how much I will be able to sell my house for and more about how I can be making it a home for my family to live in. He also tells a story about his new car and his sister’s children being told to be very careful and keep it clean. His actions show he truly understood life. He proceeded to open a soda can and pour it over the back seat of the car! Helping all of us remember there is more to life than the "nice things."

In Jefferey A Thompson's speech he talks about Heresies about our callings in life. His second point stood out to me.

2. You have to find your one true calling in order to be fulfilled.

I have seen in my life that I need to set goals and have a plan, but life has a way of leading me in the direction that I need to go. Had I followed my original goals I would be working on becoming a history teacher, I enjoy teaching and helping contribute to people’s success. Chances are my life would have worked out just fine if I followed that path and I would have been able to influence many lives. Currently I am working as a Quality Assurance Coordination with responsibility over a certification program that involves teaching new employees, and auditing internal work that allows me to help employees do their best. My goals of teaching are still being fulfilled, but in a different way.

It has been a great week filled with a lot to think about!

 

Introduction Week - Excited and Nervous

Listening to President Hinckley's encouraging words right before writing this was probably the best thing for me. He truly is a hero among men. This is my first semester as an online student for BYU Idaho. I am living in Utah, just finished up school at the LDS Business College and work full-time in downtown Salt Lake. My journey has been blessed immensely and I know that this education is the next step for me. I have come to learn that business and numbers make sense in my mind and I have a passion for them. Beyond that I am still not 100% sure what my desire is in life. I loved Guy Kawasaki's words about doing what you love, I ended up listening to his entire speech because I felt he was very real and honest in his advice. A combined message I am getting from all my business/entrepreneur classes this intro week is to... enjoy life, work hard, do something you have a passion for, and focus on what matters most then your life... if you do this you will be successful in life, and while we are focusing on our career paths when all is said and done this is just one aspect of our lives. I worked for two years at a grocery store, the majority of that time in the produce department and cashiering when needed. I loved my job, I really did, but I knew there was more out there for me and I didn't even want to think about trying to support a family on what I would have been making. I don't need to be a millionaire, but I do have a desire to provide a comfortable living and set an example to my children of what they can achieve in life. I am excited to be a part of this "Disciple Preparation Center" but I am nervous as well. Not nervous in a bad way, I simple want to make sure I am doing my best and that I can juggle my various responsibilities.