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Entrepreneurial Blog – Final Reflection: The Journey of Preparation, Purpose, and Perseverance

  Entrepreneurial Blog – Final Reflection: The Journey of Preparation, Purpose, and Perseverance As this this course draws to a close, I find myself reflecting on the lessons that have shaped not only my understanding of entrepreneurship but also my approach to life and leadership. From Launching Leaders to Mastery and the Hero’s Journey , the recurring themes that resonate most strongly are preparation, purpose, resilience, and gratitude. If I had one final lecture to give aspiring entrepreneurs, it would center on the indispensable power of mindset paired with purposeful action. Entrepreneurship is not just about launching a business; it’s about launching yourself into continuous growth, learning, and service. Jim Ritchie’s concept of “Peak Performance” taught me that success hinges on preparation — not just skill, but mental and emotional readiness. We must develop a clear life plan, cultivate core values like financial self-reliance and leadership, and train ourselves to re...

Entrepreneurial Blog - Week 13: The Power of Gratitude and Resilience in Entrepreneurship

 Entrepreneurial Blog - Week 13:  The Power of Gratitude and Resilience in Entrepreneurship This week’s study on gratitude and entrepreneurship deeply resonated with me, offering both practical lessons and inspirational insights that I will carry forward. Through the readings and videos, particularly the reflections from Larry North and President Thomas S. Monson’s “An Attitude of Gratitude,” I’ve gained a clearer understanding of how fundamental mindset and appreciation are to personal and professional success. From Larry North’s journey, I learned that entrepreneurship demands resilience and thick skin. His candid discussion about facing lawsuits, employee betrayal, and business failures highlights the reality that setbacks are inevitable. What stood out most was his emphasis on maintaining a positive attitude despite challenges. Larry’s story taught me that belief in oneself and in the community around you is essential—it acts as the foundation for enduring tough times and ...

Entrepeneurial Blog- Week 12: Becoming a Change Maker

 Entrepeneurial Blog- Week 12: Becoming a Change Maker This week’s reading from the “What’s a Business For?” article offered deep insights into the role of virtue and integrity in the economy, as well as the true purpose of businesses. On pages 3 and 4, the author emphasizes that virtue and integrity are foundational to a healthy economy because they build trust between all participants—businesses, customers, employees, and society. Without trust, transactions break down, and the entire economic system becomes unstable. Virtue ensures that businesses act ethically, treat people fairly, and deliver genuine value, which in turn sustains long-term prosperity and social cohesion. Charles Handy, a respected thinker on organizational purpose, argues that the “real justification” for the existence of businesses goes beyond making profits. According to Handy, businesses exist to serve society by creating value that benefits not just shareholders but all stakeholders—employees, customers,...

Entrepreneurial Blog – Week 11: Attitude on Money and Balancing the Entrepreneurial Life

Entrepreneurial Blog – Week 11: Attitude on Money and Balancing the Entrepreneurial Life This week’s study, focusing on the Attitude on Money article by Stephen W. Gibson, alongside videos and transcripts such as Is Work/Life Balance Possible , Balancing Your Life , Surviving the Entrepreneurial Life: Work and Family , and Financial Fitness , provided me with a comprehensive perspective on how money mindset and work-life balance deeply impact an entrepreneur’s journey. My attitude toward money has evolved significantly through these lessons. I now see money not just as currency or a means to acquire goods but as a vital tool for creating stability, opportunity, and freedom. The principle from Financial Fitness that resonated most strongly is “pay yourself first.” This means consistently setting aside a portion of every paycheck for investments and savings before addressing other expenses. This disciplined approach not only builds wealth but also creates a safety net that empowers o...

Entrepreneurial Blog - Week 10: Dreaming Big and Building the Right Mindset

 Entrepreneurial Blog - Week 10: Dreaming Big and Building the Right Mindset This week’s lessons really made me think about the importance of dreaming big and what it takes to actually make those dreams happen. The readings and videos pushed me to realize that having a big vision is only the start—you also need the right mindset, tools, and support systems in place to follow through. One thing that stood out to me was Taylor Richards’ story about his boat dealership making the top rankings in North America. It was inspiring to hear how he didn’t settle when he reached the top 100 but kept pushing until they became one of the best. It reminded me that success isn’t about being okay with just “good enough.” Instead, it’s about aiming higher and believing you can achieve more if you keep working at it. I also connected with the idea of “Your Emotional Fingerprint” from Jim Ritchie’s lesson. I never really thought about how understanding my own emotional drivers could help me make bett...

Entrepreneurial Blog – Week 9: Reflections on Leadership, Ethics, and the Journey from Good to Great

  Entrepreneurial Blog – Week 9: Reflections on Leadership, Ethics, and the Journey from Good to Great This week’s learning journey has been deeply enriching, drawing from a variety of perspectives on leadership, ethics, capability, and organizational excellence. Several concepts resonated strongly with me, offering not only insight into effective leadership but also practical wisdom that I can apply in both entrepreneurial ventures and personal growth. One of the most profound takeaways was from Carly Fiorina’s talk on leadership and capability . She framed leadership as a blend of three critical elements: capability, collaboration, and character. Her emphasis on continual learning stood out to me—reminding me that true capability is not just about what you know today but your willingness and curiosity to keep learning every day. This mindset is essential, especially in today’s fast-paced world where adaptability is crucial. Fiorina’s idea that asking the right questions, parti...

Entrepreneurial Blog – Week 8: Embracing Challenges and Persistence

  Entrepreneurial Blog – Week 8: Embracing Challenges and Persistence This week’s study on overcoming challenges really hit home for me as I continue to build my photography business. One major takeaway was the importance of persistence and creative problem-solving in entrepreneurship. David Carrington’s story in Action Hero stood out, especially his point about how the best ideas often aren’t the first ones that come to mind but usually the third or beyond. This reminded me that initial attempts, whether in sales or marketing, might not work perfectly—and that’s okay. The key is to keep trying, think outside the box, and learn from mistakes. I also connected deeply with Elder Jeffrey R. Holland’s message in Good Things to Come . His story about the family struggling with a broken-down car on a long journey was a powerful metaphor for entrepreneurship. It reminded me that setbacks are part of the process and that success often requires steady, patient effort, even when thin...