W07 Reflection: Entrepreneurial Journal

Which of the 7 habits has the most meaning for you?

The first one that stood out to me was Habit 5 – Seek first to understand, then to be understood. In today’s world, especially with the opinionated internet, how different would it be if we all were seeking to understand each other first? I love that, because to me it is almost a sense of service and putting the other person first before myself, and to not be so selfish. I also think this applies to marriage as well! It is easy to think about what I need and the problems I have, and not think about what the other person needs first. Another habit I liked learning about was Habit 4 – win/win. I was drawn to this habit, because of its simplicity. You need to think about the other person, and be respectful and mature about decisions. I am having a hard time understanding Habit 6 – Synergy. Is it a way to be thoughtful to those around us and create a kind of harmony? I understand it has to do with trust. So if we don’t have trust, can you not have synergy? Is synergy where everyone gets along?

Why will the 7 habits help you fill your life with passion and purpose as you seek to achieve both a private and public victory?

I hope to constantly remember the 7 habits as I go on my entrepreneur journey, as well as my family life. Knowing the 7 habits and how they can help me be successful is priceless knowledge. Also, being able to look at my passions and what I want to accomplish in this life is an important step, and having the 7 habits knowledge will help guide me as I work with other people, as well as my family. From little things like being able to listen effectively and how to do that will help me be on my way of a successful and respectable business woman

W06 Reflection: Entrepreneurial Journal

I loved the reading this week! Probably the best reading where I’ve been able to take what I’ve been reading and easily apply it to my life. A lot of the reading in the past have been about business, which is nice, but learning from successful entrepreneurs on what is really important and why has been so valuable to me. We know how important it is to put God and family first, but to hear these professionals talk about it in such a way really inspires and reminds me how important it really is. When Jan Newman was talking about being single and how much time you have, I am grateful that I am starting out my entrepreneurial journey with a family already, and don’t need to make that adjustment. I already have my bunch of crazies to adjust with! Another part that stood out to me was when Jan said, “Don’t ever be too busy to take a calling in the church.” I haven’t had too many callings in the church, but I haven’t ever felt the need to turn down a calling because I was too busy. It reminds me of the saying, “If you’re too busy to pray or read your scriptures, then you are busier than God ever intended you to be.” This hit hard, because it is true. I’m in the middle of my last semester of college, and feel busier than I ever have. How do I find that “balance”? In the reading, it talked about setting boundaries and I like that word a lot better than balance. Finding balance seems almost impossible, but setting boundaries feels more realistic. Boundaries might not replace balance, but it could be a concrete step on the way to achieving better balance between God, family, and work. This week’s reading was a good reminder how important and why we need to put God and our families first in our lives.

W05: Weekly Note Journal

This week has been a hard week for me, learning about money specifically. I know it is one of the things I struggle with the most, and while my husband and I don't agree all the time about the topic of money, I know it is something I need to work on in order to bring our marriage closer together. It is something I've always struggled with, and while I've been the spender my husband has been too scared to spend money (being poor college students is so hard!!), which then makes me feel more guilty.

I have enjoyed learning more about boundaries and how important they are. I like to think about how unifying it would be as a couple to work together to establish boundaries, and to learn to trust each other especially before something bigger happens and you haven't talked to establish boundaries yet. Like, being uncomfortable with your spouse going over to an ex's house alone without you knowing when it wasn't a "big deal" to him.

W05 Reflection: Entrepreneurial Journal

What were your key takeaways from "A Hero's Journey" video?

"A Hero's Journey" left me inspired to be a better person. The video inspired me to truly find my passion, and use that to help others and not just myself. I believe if I can learn to put the need of others and not be self-centered, my business can thrive. I want to be a good person, and inspire other to do well. Being able to answer the question, “Was I a good person?” then I feel like I will be successful in life. I like the idea of answering even more questions, “Did I contribute something meaningful? Who did I love, and who loved me?” Are such good questions to keep ourselves in check. Also, even though at the moment it seems silly but to write myself a letter of the do-not-do’s. It is almost like holding myself to a promise of things I will not do. For example, things like cheat on a spouse. I feel very silly to write a letter promising myself to never do it, and I know I never will so why write it down? It might seem silly but at the same time an interesting perspective to write a letter to myself holding myself to those promises.

·       What did you learn from this week’s readings and videos?
This week’s reading and videos inspired me to have realistic expectations about being a super successful entrepreneur. That it is ok to have big goals and dreams, but those that are super well off “rock stars” are that small 1%. Another part I learned, was how to narrow down my passions. It can be overwhelming to like so many things, but realizing what my values are and what I care about is a great start.