Last Lecture

When you hear the word entrepreneur what do you think of? Do the words scary, risky, expensive, or waste of time come to mind? They sure did for me. I thought there is no way I could ever become an entrepreneur and at this present time I’m still not one but I can report that I definitely have a better idea of where I’m headed and some of the fear has been eliminated. Fear of this topic or any topic for that matter usually comes from the unknown which in the world of entrepreneurship is definitely a factor.

There are 4 points that I would like to touch on in regards to starting an entrepreneur’s journey and the things that I have been able to take away from this course and they are as follows;

1.      Always ask questions- always ask for help

2.      Your ideas matter

3.      It is never too late to start

4.      You will never know until you try.

The first point is to always ask questions and always ask for help. This point may seem kind of strange or out of place for the topic but the truth is we all have questions especially when it comes to starting your own business or venturing out on your own, and that you are not alone. Many people before you and many people after you will make the same steps towards owning their own business and no one can do it without some help from either books, articles, or advice from people who have taken the same steps as them. Don’t be afraid to ask and then listen to the advice that you are given.

The second point is “Your ideas matter” This point struck me from day one and has continued to stick with me regardless of the other things that I learn. This journey is hard and not everyone will get it on the first try. That is a known but the important thing to remember is that when you have an idea, a passion, something worth fighting for, you don’t give up on that dream. You continue to fight and work for you dream until you achieve it. Your idea is never dumb or stupid and the harder you work for it, the sweeter it will be when you finally do achieve it.

Next, is “It’s never too late to start”. This point is probably one of my top 2 favorite. I know that life gets in the way and when you have a family and other financial responsibilities. That is a given. You obviously can’t drop everything and start your business and follow your dream if it means that you can’t take care of your family but what I have learned is that times may become hard. There will be challenges and obstacles. But whether you are 20 or 60, there is no difference. You can always find  a way to make it happen and the more you work at it, the more likely you are to achieve the end goal. Don’t ever say that you are too old or that it’s too late. Your dream is yours to keep.

The final piece of advice that I learned from this class and to pass onto those who are interested in entrepreneurship; is that you will never know the end outcome unless you try. Have you ever wanted to do something but have been too afraid to try? Or you don’t know what’s going to happen so you just don’t? And eventually you always come back to wonder what may have come of the situation or how it would have changed your life? I feel full heartedly that entrepreneurship is the same way. You will never know the outcome until you try it. Is it scary? Absolutely! Is it risky? YES! But is it worth it? Definitely. Don’t give up on yourself. Know that your dream, your passion, It matters and when you decide to take that first step into this journey, you will find scary things but you will also find joy like you have never known before.

Keep going. Find what you are passionate about and chase it and don’t ever let anyone tell you that you can’t because the only person holding yourself back, is you!

Avoid the Wrong Job

Have you ever ended up in a job where you absolutely hated it? Where you wondered every single day why you were doing it? If you are doing it to get to the next step, then maybe you are doing it wrong. According to Stan Christensen, he says that you may have to take lower level jobs or jobs that you don't enjoy but if you completely hate it, then don't do it. There will always be a way to get to your destination. He said that you should take a job because you are following your passion not because you are trying to fill your resume.

If there is one thing I have learned from this entire course is that this is YOUR journey. You get to decide the outcome and if you don't like the job that you are doing or how things are turning out, then change it. Never settle for mediocrity and never accept the fact that where you are right now, is as good as it gets. You are worth more than settling and there is always a new dream that you can chase.

Make Your Journey Personal

As we come to the last few weeks of this class, I have to wonder what I have taken away from this course and from all of these posts I have made. Have I made a difference? Have I made myself want to become an entrepreneur more?

     I would definitely say yes. When I first took this course, I took it to fill my credit limit. Now that we are at the end, I can definitely say that I want to become an entrepreneur. I want to make a difference in the lives of others by baking cookies. That might sound cheesy to others but that is my dream. I have chosen to make this journey personal by realizing that my dream matters. If I want to make cookies and make others happy because of it, then it is worth it.

     So what do others take from this? You can take away the fact that regardless of what your dream is, it matters. If you want to sell medical supplies and make a difference that way, then you go for it but whatever you want to do, make it personal. Make it your passion and make matter. You may not always be successful but if you put your heart into and make it matter, you won't want to give up when the going gets tough.

Success... Who Will Stand by You to the End

Entrepreneurship is not a field for those who aren't willing to make sacrifices. There will be times in our lives, in this field where you must decide between family and work. It's as simple as that. There are times when family will win and there are times when they won't. That's how things work and you have to decide what the rules are for each decision. I came up with three different things that you must do to find success and to ensure that those who begin this journey with you, will finish it with you.
1. Finding common ground- I don't believe that you wake up one day and decide that you are going to be an entrepreneur. It's a journey and it takes time. With those steps and time to make this decision, there are critical people in your life that you should include in the decision. Your partner or spouse is the number one person. You should sit down and make rules. When you will work late, when you shouldn't miss your children's events and when work will come first and when it will come second. You should also be prepared that this will be a long journey. The more you talk about it and the more prepared you both are, the less there will be to disagree upon once the events actually happen.

2. Keep your word- I think this is important for keeping people by your side until the end. Have you ever had someone who constantly tells you something and never pulls through? It gets old. Eventually you get tired of waiting and tired and being let down so you go find someone who won't let you down anymore. If you say you are going to be somewhere, be there. If you say you are going to do something. Do it. Simple as that.

3. Last and final is make time- there will always be a better option. A chance to make more money. A chance to find everlasting success but what won't always be there, is your family. Watching your children grow, you will never get those moments back. It's hard but there will always be a chance to make more money later. Make time for those that you love and figure out a way to balance both rather than making work the number one priority in your life.

Think Big

Think Big. What does that even mean? Have big ideas? Be a big person? Well maybe not any of those things.

Think big means to never underestimate yourself. I think in this world of entrepreneurship we are constantly bombarded with the fact that this is hard and that there will always be trials and obstacles to overcome. Is that false? No, in fact it's pretty darn true. However; amidst that, you have to realize that your dreams are the biggest helper you have in carrying yourself to success. Never ever underestimate yourself.

Taylor Richards talks about when he learned that he had been invited to the top 100- he figured that his company was probably in the top 75. Turns out he was number 11. ELEVEN out of 100! That's huge. He completely thought that they weren't as good as they were but with his team and his will power, they made it almost to the top ten. That's amazing. Watch the video HERE

Richards points out that if you want to do the great things, you need to involve the world. You can do anything you set your mind to but you have to try. You have to believe in yourself. He said "it's no harder to be great than it is to be good." That's powerful. Push past that barrier and find what you truly are made of. Find what you love to do.

Dream huge and pursue your goals and above all never ever give up on yourself!

Defaulting to YES

When you think of defaulting to YES what comes to mind? Perhaps being taken advantage of? Or constantly losing something? Maybe that, defaulting to yes, especially through the perspective of an entrepreneur, is the worst idea ever? Not according to Guy Kawasaki.

Guy Kawasaki is probably my favorite person to listen to on the topic of entrepreneurship. To here this specific talk- click here

He presents some of the greatest points I have ever heard. For this week, I want to touch on his point of defaulting to YES. He discusses when we meet people, we often think what can they do for us? That isn't always a conscience thought but rather a sub conscience thought that happens without us even realizing it. We, however should think "How can I help them? What can I do to help them?"

Entering a new situation especially in the business world is terrifying and can be even more terrifying if you are concerned with always saying yes. Guy talks about how we don't want to be taken advantage of but he has found that most people are reasonable. Not too often will people give you the short end of the stick.

So where am I going with this? How are we going to apply this? Realize through your journey in entrepreneurship that you are going to meet some incredible people. There will be those few that you will run into that aren't going to be good for your journey but you can still learns something from them and I think that, that is the best thing to take from this.

We can also take from this the type of person we want to be. It's a hard enough world out there without working and dealing with crooks. People can be nasty- We all know that but don't be one of those crooked people. Stand up for your values and know your value in this world. Never give up on your dream and never be willing to let one back experience ruin it all.

One Step Forward, Two Steps Back

Have you ever had a time in your life where you feel like regardless of how much progress you make towards a goal, you are constantly declining in that journey? From experience, it is probably one of the hardest things to happen.

To help explain this, I would like to share an experience- this is taken from an New Era article- May of 1978  by Brad Wilcox

It had been a one-step-forward, two-steps-back day for me. At 6:00 A.M. I tiptoed into my parents’ bedroom. “Psst, Dad, my alarm clock didn’t go off.” It was not until we were halfway to school that I realized my socks were each a different color, and that I had forgotten the homework I had stayed up until midnight to finish. Even though I slipped into the classroom only three minutes late, I was marked tardy by my smiling, but sharp-eyed teacher. You can probably guess that with such a terrific beginning, the rest of the day went downhill fast.

An unbelievable series of setbacks led to the final indignity, which occurred as I was running across the lawn to catch the bus for home. Almost as though there were a plot against me, they turned on the sprinklers.

By the time I staggered off the old yellow school bus, checked the mailbox, and plodded up the driveway, the only thing that kept me on course was the therapeutic thought of an afternoon with no obligations. Not one single thing I had to do. Just my own time—all mine!

As I drooped along nearing the house, I noticed a strange car. Upon shutting the back door and throwing my books toward the kitchen table, I called, “Whose car?”

“It’s mine and Dad’s,” came a six-year-old voice in answer. And who should come shooting around the corner but Aaron, my first-grade, out-of-town cousin. He sprang at me with a flying leap, wrapping himself around my legs in glad greeting.

“Uncle Dick brought Aaron along to help him,” Mom explained. Each time he came on business, Uncle Dick brought a different son, and this was Aaron’s turn. His first time. A big event.

Aaron is a beautiful boy. His blonde hair, blue eyes, and broad smile make me proud. He looked great standing there in little tennis shoes, faded jeans, and a gap-tooth grin that all but shouted, “I know you’re glad I came!” Ordinarily he’d be right. But not today.

So while everyone was caught up in conversation, I took a small year’s supply of cookies and started downstairs. Then I heard it. The big news was that Aaron was to stay with us the whole afternoon. My afternoon! I would be expected to spend my own private, precious time babysitting!

I slammed the bedroom door and turned up the radio extra loud, pretending I didn’t hear Mom’s call. Then I flopped down on the bed to figure out how I could make up a final in Algebra. I would have solved that, and other world problems, too, but the bedroom door was thrown wide. An eager Aaron was suggesting, “Hey, pal, let’s do something.”

“You go right ahead,” I muttered, turning my head away. Aaron pulled on my pant leg. “C’mon, Brad, let’s go for a walk.”

“Oh, joy, a walk!” I thought with a thud. But who could resist that full-face grin? Off went the radio, on went my jacket, away went my afternoon. Aaron grabbed my hand, dragged me up the stairs and out the door.

With explosive excitement Aaron began to show and explain all the mysteries of the world. Holding a dandelion under his pixie chin, he explained, “You know, if you like butter, you’ll get a yellow shadow. Try it, Brad.” And sure enough, I like butter.

Aaron’s next nature lesson concerned a cunningly soft, striped caterpillar discovered by fortunate accident. With profound observation Aaron remarked, “The reason caterpillars have so many legs is cause their moms had lots of legs, too. All babies are like their moms.”

As we built finger bridges for our caterpillar to make its ticklish way, my excitement grew to match Aaron’s. I began to see the world through freshened eyes. I had forgotten how much fun climbing a tree could be, or playing pirates in the leafy branches. The game was barely used before Aaron traded it in on a new entertainment.

“Look at those neat lines, Brad,” Aaron called, as he heaved a fistful of small pebbles into a spring puddle. They made neat ripples, and I watched them ripple and wear out against the shore. I stood wondering how I could have let myself forget all this. How could I have become so grown-up-busy as to forget the black-bordered pastel of butterfly wings, the crisp smell of wild flowers, the snow-nourished spring greenery of my mountains? How could I have passed them by day after day?

I had forgotten how high you can go on Grandma’s swing, or how good the sun feels after months of winter bundling. I had become so mired with mundane problems, I had forgotten to enjoy life. Only 16 years old and already I was so engulfed in monumental anxieties, I had simply forgotten small pleasures.

I picked up a pebble to jar the stillness of the small pool again. Then I noticed that Aaron was kneeling down all curled into a small-boy ball.

“What are you doing?” I asked.

“I’m being a rock. Can rocks feel, Brad?”

“Well, you’re a rock. How do you feel?” By now I was chuckling.

“I feel hard. C’mon, Brad. You be a rock, too.”

It seemed like forever that I lay curled up in the sun with a slight breeze creeping beneath my jacket. I loved it. I hadn’t taken the time to get that close to my earth for so long.

Aaron, the rock, was first to break our stony silence. He whispered, “Didn’t God make a beautiful world? And all for us. Boy! He must love us rocks.”

“You bet!” I agreed as I draped Aaron, the all-American twerp, around my neck with a swoop of joyful energy. Life was suddenly fresh, new, beautiful!

I was sorry to see Aaron go that evening. Really. What a world of good he had done his doddering old cousin as we had stretched out together on that moist, grassy hill, with eyes for nothing but the cloudless blue sea above. His chubby hand had reached for mine.

“Hey, Brad, let’s always be pals just like we are now. Pals forever.”

Behind my eyes I felt tears forming, childlike tears of joy. I rolled over to squeeze that miniature boy wonder.

“Yeah, pals,” I pledged. “Pals forever.”

I aboslutley loved this story! Just like Brad, I think that there is something that we can learn from those days that are one step forward, two step backs. We can learn that there is still good in the world. We can learn that there even the days may become harder and harder, things will eventually work out. We will be able to figure things out and when those situations become hard, we have to remember why we started this entire journey. I don't believe for one minute that this field- or any field- for that fact is easy.Everything has it's ups and downs and when you push through those downs and the hard ups, you will find the greatest reward at the end. Never give up and never stop chasing what you want. Not for one minute. 

Mastery

Have you ever considered yourself a "master" of something? I think often times people joke about being a master but deep down, they probably don't consider themselves one. So what makes you a master? Or a master over business?

The definition of mastery, in my eyes, is the fact that even though you may have a good thing going, that you never stop trying. Never stop progressing, and most importantly never stop working to become the best that you can be.

Countless times there are stories of people who failed over and over again but they kept trying. They continually put their best foot forward and tried over and over again. It's not easy and I don't think that anyone will ever claim for it to be but the outcome is so worth it.

Can we all be masters? Yes. But will we? Maybe. Don't stop trying to improve just because you have reached a great goal. There is no progression in our lives without the constant push to become better. 

Entrepreneurship and Family Life: The Ultimate Balancing Act

Careers and family life are two things that when discussed as parts of our lives, have to co-mingle. There flat out, isn’t a way to leave the two separate. When you talk about your career, you are also probably talking about your livelihood- your mean of providing for your family. People do things that they love, but they are generally making money at the same time to help support either themselves or a family if they have one. In this religion, family is important and odds are you have one. Do you want to spend your entire life at work? No. I don’t care how passionate a person is about a project or a piece of their life, a break is needed.

                Now, in the video section from Standford, the professor discussed how rules have to be made. He even gave a reference to where you could find those rules. I loved that idea. Life isn’t complete without rules and according to him, rules are necessary to maintain family life and work life. I also loved that he pointed out that if you are single and are choosing to do a start-up project, stay single. That may come off harsh but it’s so true! I have never completed a start-up project obviously but I have heard of people who have lost their families or relationships over them. It’s too much stress to put on people- especially those you love. Who wants to constantly be put off for work? I know I don’t. It gets old and that’s why people walk. Think about where you are in your life. Is now a good time? Would this project be better suited for a team of people who could help you rather than doing it alone? What rules will you make? Is dinner important to you or your loved one? These questions have to be asked and honestly evaluated.

                The final thing that I want to touch on is balance. Not only balance between work and family but balance between work and God. God placed us upon this earth and without Him, we are nothing. I love that concept; that we will always need His help and His guidance regardless of the journey that we choose to take.  Jan Newman pointed out that we are never too busy to turn down a calling. We are never too busy to say no to the Lord and if we are, reevaluate and take something out.  It blows my mind at times that people could turn down those blessings for other worldly things. When we become too busy for God, we are too busy. Don’t ever forget who gave us everything and how he relates to our business careers and aspirations. 

Your dreams and Reality

When reading the article about the greeting card line, it lit a fire within me. That sounds cheesy,  I know but to be honest, it’s true. Erica Mills had a passion; a talent; one that started when she was much younger than when she actually achieved that goal. She worked many different jobs and didn’t actually get a degree in what she ended up pursuing. Ironic? I really don’t think it is! This is my point this week. Do you have a dream? Yes. How many times have I said to chase it? Multiple. Do I mean this very second? Today? No. Why not? Because. There are often so many steps to getting there. I don’t think that starting a business, chasing THAT dream requires that you do it straight out of college. Do some choose to do that? Yes, and that is great! However; I think that often times we have to do multiple different things. Find something we enjoy but maybe not something that is our passion and focus your life and energy on that for a while.

                I’m obviously not an expert on this subject, which was probably a given when you found out that I’m only a junior in an undergrad program. I’m just another student trying to find their way. However; I do think I’ve figured a few things out. Very rarely do people who start a business straight out of college, without any prior experience find success. That’s a sad thought to have but it’s true. Just as Erica had to go do something else and start slow, we do too! There’s always that thought that we need to go big or go home but here’s some news. Go too big and you will go home. Chances are broke and heart broken. We have dreams, yes. But when those dreams come into our lives, consider the realistic view of them all.  

                As long as I have this blog I will most likely always preach- “Chase Your Dreams” “Be Proud of Your Successes” and this post isn’t to say you can’t do that but sometimes that dose of reality is hard to swallow. Don’t let it get in your way but don’t let it blind you of what the future truly holds. 

Happiness, Careers, Entrepreneurship and the Ultimate Match Up

       

Just like any other career, you have to put your whole heart into it. What will you make of yourself? It’s hard to know where we will go or what will become of us but I can guarantee that if you don’t find something that you love to do and that you are good at, what you consider success in this life will be difficult to find. This week, much of the focus was on finding something that you love, something you excel at, and something that you can be paid to do. After combining those things, the focus was placed on making smarter choices and not necessarily working longer hours. When you find something that matches all of those things, I firmly believe that the outcome will be extraordinary.

      Following this lesson, I also came to realize that what might meet those objectives now, may not meet them later in your life. We all change. Life changes who we are and what makes us happy and it’s so important to pay attention to those things. If you aren't happy now, find something that does make you happy! This life is incredibly short; too short to spend any length of time unhappy. Chase those dreams but while chasing them, remember who you are and why you started chasing them to begin with. I have seen so many people that are doing a certain degree because that’s what their family wants or because it makes more money but this week, we learned that even if you are making tons of money, if you aren't finding fulfillment in those areas, you still are going to be missing something. Money is important but your happiness is more important. Never forget that. 

Ethics and Business Risks

The business world is often described as a dog-eat-dog world. It's a scary place out there. So much competition and drive. So many dreams trying to be achieved. Among all of those different aspects, what would you say is the most important thing to achieve in this process? ETHICS! The big E word. I would definitely say you could base everything (okay almost everything) off of ethics. Start from the bottom up. Work your way to the top and do it honestly and ethically. It may be harder than doing it the other way but it will be so worth it in the end. 

Back in High School I worked for a company where everything- paperwork wise, was all falsified. When I first became a manager, I was so scared to sign reports at night saying I had completed certain tasks because eventually, I knew things were going to fall apart but those reports stated otherwise. I left to attend college, corporate came in and ultimately found out what had been going on. Employees were let go and other plans were put into place. How hard is it to not sign a piece of paper if what you are claiming is untrue? Not very hard. It cost people their jobs. I look back at that often and wonder what would have came of me had I not been around. Ethics is always the way to go, whether it takes longer, costs more, it's work it in the end. 

Among other things discussed this week, was business risks. This is a hard one especially for those just getting on their feet. You finally have the financing for your business but you need just a little bit more. Do you go back and ask for another loan or do you invest your own money? You invest your own. If you aren't willing to put your personal money in, then maybe it isn't a good investment to begin with. People are stingy with their own money. Not so much with others but more than not, you don't want to throw away your own hard earned money. Look at the outcomes, look at the investments and decide if this is a good enough venture for not only the banks money but your own. 

Business is about tactics but I also think it's about heart. You have to use your brain but sometimes it is essential to use your heart also. 

The future of me

Going through the course materials, I think it is probably at the back of most student's minds; at least mine, is how little can I do and still pass. Going through these activities I chose to look deeper within myself and find what I can take from this course. Creating the bucket list of 50 things to do before I die, changed my outlook on where I am going and what I am doing. Are you chasing your dreams? I challenge you to create a list. Not just a cliche list of the things everyone wants to do but dig deep. Find your passion. Find your love and figure out how you're going to achieve that. 

Randy Pausch chased his dreams. From a very young age of going to DisneyLand. Ultimately, he was fascinated by what was there but instead of saying "hey this is fun" he instead said "I want to create this". That's where it began with him and that's where it begins with each and everyone of us. You have a dream? Chase it. Don't sit by and let someone else achieve it or beat you to it. You want it, go get it! And how bad do you want that dream? There in lies the success in my eyes. I often thought of being a doctor. Helping save lives. Did I do that? No. Why? Because I wasn't willing to take that kind of schooling to get there. Is your dream worth chasing? ABSOLUTELY. But will you? That answer is in your hands and your feet. I never knew that I could be so passionate about something until I looked at these people that ultimately changed their own lives because they had a dream. 

What is Entrepreneurship?

Week one into an Entrepreneurship and I must say I'm impressed. Want to be an entrepreneur? I would definitely say even after the first week, that this option maybe isn't for everyone but you never know until you try. Chase your dreams. I realized that you have to be willing to work for what you want. Especially in this field of study. No it's not for everyone but if you are willing to put in the time and effort, you can be successful. You may not be successful the first time or even the 1000 time but eventually, you are going to get it. Don't be afraid to go after what you want. More than that, when the first 49 times don't work, be willing to give it a shot for the fiftieth time and see what you end up with. It might be failure but more than that it could be success.