Tips on How to Be Successful

Today I just wanted to share a few tips on how to be successful.

First of all, success is not measured by money. We learn from Guy Kawasaki that there are many people who set out only to make a lot of money. That goal is not a lofty enough goal. You can’t just do something because you think it is going to make you rich. You must have the passion for it. When you have the passion, and do something because you love it, you end up making a difference in the world. You may not be rich in terms of the world but you will be rich in terms of life.

Second of all, we learn from President Gordon B. Hinckley that life is becoming more and more competitive. Because this is so, it is important to get as much education as you possibly can. This will put you ahead of the game when you put the effort into learning the necessary skills. There are so many opportunities out there. Be available to take them by getting as much education as you can.

Third of all, there will be times where you will hit a plateau. You will have worked hard, conquered a new level and stay at that level for an indefinite amount of time. While others get discouraged and move onto another skill or just give up, it is important for you to push through the plateau and know there is not end to learning and your success. There is another step up. And it might take weeks, months or even years, but don’t you ever give up. If you love what you do, keep going. There is so much more that awaits you as you continue to learn and grow and solidify your skills.

And last of all, it is imperative that you stay true to your faith. There is a song in the LDS Hymn book called True to the Faith, and it goes:

Shall the youth of Zion falter

In defending truth and right?

While the enemy assaileth,

Shall we shrink or shun the fight?

No! True to the faith that our parents have cherished,

True to the truth for which martyrs have perished,

To God’s command,

Soul, heart, and hand,

Faithful and true we will ever stand.

There have been so many before that have died for what they believe. Stay true to the faith that they never denied. Your parents have supported you your whole life. And if not your parents, then a mentor or friend who has stuck by you would never want or let you give up. Stay true to them. And even more than all that. There is a loving Heavenly Father who is watching over you and wants you to succeed. As you stay true to Him, He will make sure you succeed.

Picture from: https://www.theodysseyonline.com/our-societys-definition-of-success

Boundaryless?

I want to focus my post today on the video by Steve Blank. In this video an audience member asks the question, "What advice do you have for balancing the demands of a family life with the boundaryless life of an entrepreneur?"

Steve combats this question with the comment that people assume entrepreneurs have to have a boundaryless life. He then goes on to explain how he has set the most important boundaries, and those include time with his family.

This very moment in all of the readings and videos we were asked to watch for our class changed my view of the life of an entrepreneur.

I, too, always assumed that boundaries were almost impossible to set because as an entrepreneur you are at the beckon call of your customer or client. You believe that in order to keep up with business you have to set everything on hold at any moment of the day, night or year. 

Though now I have come to the realization that that is just not true! You can absolutely set boundaries! Not too many of course where you will completely cut yourself off from success, but that you can still have a life outside of work like any other job would give you.

My focus now in moving forward with my business is to set some concrete boundaries for my family and never change those for anything. Because family should always come first.

Plateau Opportunity

I enjoyed what we were asked to read this week but nothing jumped right out at me. What did stick in my mind though is what we call the The Plateau Effect.

The entrepreneurial venture I have been involved in is my alterations business called PATCHES. It has been difficult to truly immerse myself into it since the semester has started and I have been working full time while schooling full time. It has been an overwhelming journey because I have had to say no to a couple projects but the ones that I have said yes to are quite large.

In saying all this I have felt like I have hit that plateau. The skills I have learned and practiced up until now have left me gliding along at a slow and steady plateau rate. I am wanting to attend more classes and practice so much and take on more projects, but that just isn't in the cards right now. I know the potential I am capable of is great, but I don't have the time and energy to invest in it.

Time, energy and passion are so important. These are three key components to succeeding. Once you have those all put into one you are able to achieve the unthinkable.

An article called, "Are Successful Entrepreneurs Born or Made?" by Jeff Sandefer, tells a story of a group of entrepreneurs conversing with each other about this very question. There was one specific character trait they all felt was important, and that is:

A relentless pursuit of opportunity

It is so easy to get bogged down when we hit a plateau and feel there is nowhere for us to go. Or that we have run out of opportunities. A successful entrepreneur hits the inevitable plateau and works as hard as they can to achieve the next level of success.

This is something i will be working harder on. A relentless pursuit of opportunity.

Image from : http://www.performancesolutionsbymilliken.com/the-plateau-effect/

Will you be happy?

There were two major things this week that have already changed my life and way of thinking.

#1 How Will You Measure Your Life by Clayton M. Christensen at the Harvard Business School

Clayton had so many great and inspiring words to offer, starting with these three questions:

ONE- How can I be sure that I’ll be happy in my career? 

TWO- How can I be sure that my relationships with my spouse and my family become an enduring source of happiness? 

THREE- How can I be sure I’ll stay out of jail? 

All of these question play a vital part in our career and everyday life. In order to be sure we will be happy in the career we choose we must set our priorities straight. We need to decide first and foremost what is most important to us and what we will not compromise on. 

In order to be sure our family relationships will be lasting and an enduring source of happiness, we must continuously show them that we love and care for them. That they are our guiding light and motivating force in all we do in life and career.  

Integrity is the key to staying out of jail. It can become so easy to to just fudge the line an little here and a little there. It can even become so easy to withhold or take a little money here or a little money there. Honesty in all we do is vital.

#2 The Ministry of Business by Steven A. Hitz and James W. Ritchie

Holy cow! If you want to read an inspiring book that will guide you along the path to success in business and life, read this book. In this book we are introduced to what is called "The Formula". The Formula honestly changed my focus and view on pursuing my dreams. If you follow these steps, you will become successful, fully self reliant, and sincerely happy.

a. Get Up Early

b. Work Hard

c. Get Your Education

d. Find Your Oil

e. Make Your Mark

f. Get Prepared To Be Of Service

In all honesty I have decided to make this a daily routine. I look forward to trying this out and I will let you all know how it goes!

Determination and Joy!

This week was a crazy one. So much was going on with so much to do piling on top of each other. But even through all the chaos there were a few key lessons I learned.

1. The Key to Survival is JOY!
This weekend was the semi annual general conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It wasn't technically part of my entrepreneurship class for school but it absolutely applies. I learned that so succeed in life, in work, in family, we need to have joy. We were put on this earth to do just that! In the Bible in the book of Genesis is says, "Men are that they might have joy." This joy depends on our focus. And our focus needs to be on Christ. I know that if I want to succeed in business I need to keep my focus on the Lord and he will bless me with success and true joy all along the way.

2. Determination goes a long way.
After reading the story about Magdalena Yesil I came to the realization that I give up so easily. If something gets "too hard" I just give up. Magdalena never gave up. She learned and learned never letting herself die out. She discovered what she loved and learned every part, every aspect of it. I would like to do that. I would like to discover what I love, what i'm good at, what I have a gift for and learn every part of it.

3. Serve the Lord with all your heart, might, mind and strength.
Elder Haight has three steps that provide success.
#1 Get your Education
#2 Make your mark
#3 Prepare to serve/give back
As I listened to Jim Ritchie talk about all the service missions he went on and how successful he's been I just could not deny the fact that if we serve the Lord and serve our fellow man with all that we have, we will get back tenfold what we give away. I hope that one day I can feel and be as accomplished as Jim Ritchie looking back on all the good i've done. Humility is key.

As I move forward in my entrepreneurship career I want to explore more of myself and discover my natural talents and find out how I can utilize those the for good of my family and the good of those I associate with.

Shoutout to my partner in crime who keeps me grounded and always encourages me to do my best, and compliments me in all I do.