My Entrepreneur Blog

In reading the summary of The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, by Stephen R. Covey, I felt that I do most of these steps daily. Of course there is always room for improvement. For example, I like to find the Win-Win, but my motivation is probably more about being true to myself enough to advocate for myself, but being too nice just to take all. I tend to bend over backwards to find the win-win. It can be exhausting. If I change my motive behind it, it may become easier. But this was not the Habit I want to talk about this week. Actually, there are two of equal value to me at this time. Habits 6 and 7 are the habits that held particular meaning to me at this time (although I'm sure the importance will change often). Habit 6 is Synergize. It seems like a simple idea that would not be difficult to implement. But for me, it is so hard! Synergizing means to "combine the strengths of people through positive teamwork, so as to achieve goals that no one could have done alone...

I was intrigued by the words of the ancient philosophers, Leanardo Da Vinci, Plato, and King Solomon, who was known for his great wisdom. Plato suggested that, "The first and best victory is to conquer self; to be conquered by self is, of all things, the most shameful and vile." I certainly agree with the first half of this statement. However, I believe the second have is subjective. Of course, if giving in to pornography (for example) is the subject, then his statement would be right on point. However, if depression is "self" that needs conquering, then of course, it is sad and difficult, and often tragic, but shameful and vile? I'm not sure I agree with him. Da Vinci stated, "You will never have a greater or lesser dominion than that over yourself. The height of a man's success is guaged by his self-mastery; the depth of his failure by his self-abandonment. ...And this law is the expression of eternal justice. He who cannot establish dominion over ...

Looking back on my life, I can see times when I acted as what our lesson refered to as a "Dabbler". Other times, I behaved as more of a "Hacker", and yet from time to time, usually depending on who I'm on my journey with, I have shown up as the Obsessive. I thought quite a lot about these three personalities, both in business and in my relationships. I saw others that I know very clearly as one or another. But looking at myself was difficult. I was grateful when the book, Mastery mentioned that everyone has each of these at some point in their lives. It was a relief to be normal for once. I saw some times in my first marriage where I was the "Obsessive." I had to have my house imaculate all the time. I tried so hard to be perfect. I held onto the relationship so hard, for so long that I just about squeezed it to death. I did the same thing when I tried to start my first real business. I gave into what my partners wanted, losing sight of my vision. I pu...

1. If you pursue your calling with discipline, intentionality, and the help of fellow travelers, what are the chances that your worst case scenario will really happen? I will definitely pursue my calling with discipline and intention, so things will likely work out well. But other than my husband, I am seriously lacking in fellow travelers. I hope some come along soon. When I started this idea of an events center/healing center that is really a front for a refuge, I had several fellow travelers. They all wanted to join me. We had it all mapped out. A whole community of like-minded people who offered a variety of skill sets that would benefit the business as well as the emergency refuge (a safe haven during trying times... a sort of naturopathic hospital, equipped with medical supplies, herbal remedies for people who can't get their medications anymore, doctors and nurses, and natural healers. Everyone helps as they can. We saw a big community garden, a meditation path, and severa...

Elder Lynn G. Robbins taught that there wasn't much that Satan could tempt Adam and Eve with because there was no competition. It wasn't until they had children who would want more than the other, or what the other had that he was able to tempt others. Elder Robbins pointed out that most temptations happen through others. I found that interesting and had to look back at my own life and examine when I had been tempted. He said that Satan often uses work, or employment to tempt people through weath or possesions. Elder Robbinson pointed out that working was always God's plan for us. I remember when my children were teens, their punishment was often yard work because I felt that if that was how Heavenly Father punished Adam and Eve, then it was probably the best punishment I could give them. But Elder Robbins pointed out that (rather than punishment as I had supposed), the Lord was testing us to see if we would be honest and work well with one another, or if we would become ...

Why do you think Randy Pausch was able to achieve so many of his childhood dreams? Do you feel that dreaming is important? Why or why not? Discuss at least one of your childhood dreams. Explain why you believe you can or can't. Randy Pausch acheived many of his dreams from his childhood because he had good parental support, a possitive attitude, and a belief that brick walls should be broken down. He didn't give up on his dreams. He kept them insight, and didn't stop working toward them when things got hard. In my kitchen is a plaque that says, "God gives us dreams too big, so we can grow into them." I believe in dreaming. I believe in being extra; that everything we do should be done with gusto. If you're going to dream, then dream big! Dreams give our lives meaning. That meaning becomes drive. Drive becomes passion. Passion makes our life fulfilled. When I was young, I dreamed of being a private investigator and an architect. I loved old things. My moth...

Today is Monday, 13 January 2025. There have been many concerns on my mind for a while now. Last September, we left our home of eleven years in Orem to allow our daughter and her family to live there. Their baby was facing surgeries and casts and would require constant attention from one of them, which meant one would need to always be home. This limited their income and they were unable to make ends meet in an apartment. We felt it was time for us to leave and go where the Lord would take us. We renovated the house as much as we could, and moved to a small apartment in Pleasant Grove until we could sell our house in Cedar Hills. The house sold farely quickly, but because it was in disrepair, we didn't get its full value. We also had a first and second mortgage on it. We walked away with less than we hoped for. Still, it was a significant amount, so we thought we'd be all right. Also, I thought we had an understanding (Chuck and me), that we would also sell off his condos and...