W13 Reflection: Entrepreneurial Journal

 W13 Study: A Journey of Gratitude

A popular refrain from the 1940s captured the thought:

Accentuate the positive; 

Eliminate the negative. 

Latch on to the affirmative; 

Don’t mess with Mr. In-between.1 

Good advice then. Good advice now.

Attitude of Gratitude 

I remember listening to this talk from President Monson when I was 14 years old. I loved the part when he talked about be grateful for our teachers. I was in 8th grade, the disease I had had flared up again and I was in and out of the hospital. I remember begging my mom and the principle to just let me go to school for a little bit. I went for the 3 core classes. I would be there before each class so I wouldn't get knocked down by the kids and then at the end of the class after each kid left, the teachers would have to help lift me up from my seat because I had no muscle strength. It was a hard 3 years for me but I wanted to be "normal" and this was the best way to be a part of my Jr High years. All three teachers were the best I had. I remember having Ms. Olsen. She was older and taught Jr High English for years. She was a short lady with snow white hair. She loved history and poetry. She taught us how to speak face to face with others and resight poetry. She wanted us to be comfortable speaking to others and in front of the class. I learned so many things that I still apply in my life because of her. At the end of the school year, I was well enough to go back to school full time. I remember writing a thank you note to each of my teachers after this talk was given, expressing to each teacher my gratitude for all they do for each of us and how much I have learned from them. I placed the note on each of their desked and left the class. The next day, at the end of class Ms. Olsen announced to the class that she wanted to talk with me after call. The oooos erupted from the class because that meant I was in trouble or did something wrong on an assignment. I didn't like to get in trouble so I was fearful. After everyone had left. She looked in my eye with tears and said to me how much that note meant to her. She had taught for years and not one student had ever expressed their appreciation to her and how much it meant to her to get that note. I remember hugging her and leaving. I love this part, "The teacher not only shapes the expectations and ambitions of pupils; the teacher also influences their attitudes toward their future and themselves. If the teacher loves the students and has high expectations of them, their self-confidence will grow, their capabilities will develop, and their future will be assured. A citation to such a teacher could well read: “She created in her room an atmosphere where warmth and acceptance weave their magic spell; where growth and learning, the soaring of the imagination, and the spirit of the young are assured.” (Thomas S. Monson, An Attitude of Gratitude, General Conference, April 1992) She was a teacher that no student liked because of how strict she was but she was more of a teacher to me. 

Entrepreneurship

Everything I have learned from this course in having your own business is to have goals, keep those goals and revisit them often. Goals are your mission statement. The are what you want to achieve and that you want to build your business on. 

Next would be capabilities, knowing where you want the business to go and applying any role that needs to be in achieving the goals to grow the business takes skills and patience. 

Lifestyle helps to build the business in a way that is not just a job but a passion that you want to achieve. It show be a part of your life and you need to make time in order to build the dream you are wanting. 

Relationships are important. You want a relationship with yourself, your clients, your family and friends. This takes time to develop and nurture so allow that time to take place because relationships will last forever if you want them bad enough. 

A Journey of Gratitude

I have learned that if I want something bad enough it is going to take time and effort. It is not going to be an easy path. There are always going to obstacles in the road of discovering what is important but always knowing that the journey is important and being grateful for each new experience and day will help you want to continue down the path that you are making for yourself. I have learned that my greatest listener is the Lord. He has been there as I have pursued this dream of mine to go back to school and get my education. He has given me clarity in times of trouble. He has held me when I just couldn't go on. He has given me light to keep going even when I haven't wanted to. He has been my stepping stone into the unknown of finding myself and what I am going to do next in this journey. I can honestly say that I have been blind into what I need to do after graduation. I still am but I know through my relationship with Him I will find that understanding and take the next steps into the unknown that I need to. I found this journey to one that I will always treasure and be grateful for.