THE PLEASURE OF LEARNING...

Learning is a pleasure and business seems to be an essential part of helping others who may be less fortunate. This weeks readings seem to point more towards helping others rather than becoming really wealthy and successful. I especially enjoyed the reading about a poverty free world and the story of one man that “bridged the gap between economic theory and human reality.” Muhammed Yunus saw a need and was able to fill that need which was very beneficial for the men and woman in the village next to the university in Bangladesh. He saw real life economics and how the people were willing to do what was needed to succeed but did not have the funds to achieve their goals. The banks would not help lend meager amounts of money to those wanting to succeed and so this man decided that he would lend them the money. This quote was very uplifting to me, “People see what they are trained to see. It takes a serious attempt on one’s part to take off the glasses one has been fitted with during student days.”
Definitely a great man, willing to help the poor to succeed, and as we see the results from the amount of money being lent out and received back from those who are poor were a great blessing in the lives of the recipients and to the givers.

Charles Handy’s article about “what a business is for?” deal with the reasons why virtue and integrity are so vital to an economy. This was great reading and the reason is because they help people find comfort in putting their money into companies that can be trusted. Handy said, “Trust, too, is fragile. Like a piece of china, once cracked its never quite the same.” There are varying strategies that people can take to change the look of an outcome so that a business might look like it is doing better than it really is. Greed is the culprit where stock options and share markets are made to look more favorable then what they are. Virtue and Integrity are traits that are so vital to an economy because it helps business people to be more honest with themselves. It seems to be a new game, “Business cannot always afford to be so generous to so many people, but doing good does not necessarily rule out making a reasonable profit. You can make money by serving the poor and the rich.” We need to look to those around us that need help and in turn we will prosper as well.

REST, WE REALLY DO NEED IT!!

As I write in my entrepreneurial journal tonight I have to admit that there really is truth to the need for rest as part of your journey. Today was our Multi Stake Youth Conference involving 8 Stakes of youth. In preparation for this day we spent 3hours after work setting up chairs, putting up signs and getting rooms ready for various workshops, keynote speakers, and our regional representative. I headed home for the night and then had an early start in the morning, with a 14hr day in total after putting everything away, cleaning up and getting the facilities ready for the Sabbath.
What a day and now that I am sitting down with my feet up and writing in my journal I can understand the challenge of being in business and working long hours, burning the candle at both ends is not helpful. Each person needs to take the time to rest from their labors and do something that they enjoy and taking their minds off business just for a little while. Today was a long busy day and my mind was busy as well, the chance to rest my mind right now feels so good. Yes, I do have to write my entrepreneurial journal but compared to the day of trying to stay on top of everything that was happening and helping direct the youth...I can see why we need to have rest as part of the hero's journey.
The readings were very helpful and the videos have helped learn more about the joys people face in being entrepreneurs, its great to learn from what things have worked with others as part of that process. My greatest piece of learning is that I know the steps that I can take to be financially independent. I just have to find something that I like to do and start investing in things that will make me happy and that will help others in the process. I love that concept of becoming an entrepreneur because I believe that we all have a purpose and part of that purpose is to make sure that we take the opportunity to bless the lives of those around us especially those that are in need.
I missed the part about the importance of money, though I do realize that money is important, I don't care too much for it. I use it because I need to but I am not a slave to money and I save much of what I don't need because I'm the simple type and most things please me that are cheap. Money is not the route of all evil but the way we use it is, I pray that I will always strive to use it well.

THE JOY OF ENTREPRENEURSHIP

Interviewing an entrepreneur like Earl Gaspar has given me hope that even a Polynesian from a little island like mine can find success if you will work hard and do your best. I appreciated the insight gained from my interview and the knowledge that the possibilities are only limited to what you believe you cannot do. It’s a matter of trusting in your capabilities and then going to work.

I liked the videos shared, especially the idea that Google had to dedicate 20% of time to working on something you want to do rather than the have to do. Thus allowing its workers to spend time having fun and come up with some new and inventive ideas that would be beneficial for the company that you work for. I realize that can not be done in all companies but I wonder if it could be initiated in some way, how much a company could increase its productivity because workers feel the trust that their company has in them.

I have seen the growth of co-workers when given the opportunities to take the job they are doing and find ways that will make their jobs easier, and more productive. When you learn a new job, you could be shown a way to do what you need to do, but that doesn’t mean it’s the best way for you to perform those duties. I have found that when you develop a system that works for you then you can sometimes work smarter and better than previously expressed.

This semester has been a great journey, especially with the discoveries made that have opened our minds to the new possibilities businesses can bring into our lives. Its true that not everyone wants to go into business for themselves but when you find the right fit for your talents or something that you love to do then work doesn’t seem like work because it becomes something you enjoy. I believe entrepreneurs learn to love what they do or find something better.

MORE OPPORTUNITIES TO LEARN.

I have enjoyed being able to go over the principles learned in the ‘Good to Great’ readings and to share those ideas with others. A friend had asked me about an idea to start a business and I felt excited about sharing the things I have learned from this book, I encouraged her to get a copy and read through it. She liked the thought of having disciplined people, and then working on disciplined thought and ending with disciplined action. She especially liked trying to get the right people on the bus right from the start rather than teaching the wrong people the right behaviors.

I have found another thought to be true, “Tempting as this may be, it is impossible to build an effective organization without delegating important tasks to talented and capable people. It’s the only way to make a grand vision a reality.” I know that you can’t do things by yourself; to achieve your goal you need help. And having the right people helping you will be very important for the growth of your organization. I have seen a task that would have taken much longer to get done without the help of others that I work with. The task is completed in much less time and so i have the opportunity to complete another task. 

The greatest things I am learning in this life is the opportunity to learn has been given to everyone but if you then turn around and help teach another the things that you have learned, then it is beneficial for them and for you. What a great learning experience!