Week 1 Take Aways

 I have an entrepreneurial nature. I'm guessing I was born with it. The youngest experience I can remember is being put down for naps at 5 years-old and opening my bedroom window to rent out my books to the neighborhood kids that didn't have to take naps. I remember at around 8 years-old selling lemonade on a rather busy highway in front of my grandparent's home. We made over $80 in one day--I was rich! I sold mini cheesecakes, I did car washes, and even created a successful neighborhood newspaper, yet here I am at 47 years old and struggle with many worries when it comes to starting a business. Why is that?

In chapter 1 of The Start-Up of You, this sentence struck me, "We need to rediscover our entrepreneurial

instincts and use them to forge new sorts of careers." This is powerful to me. I know I have it in me. I need to focus on moving forward, no more excuses, realize that failing is part of moving forward, and concentrate on my strengths and goals.

 I learned to think of myself as a work in progress and to invest in myself every day, which is also taught in chapter one of the text. I listen to podcasts, create vision boards, and have my time blocked out to be able to fit school, my life-coaching work, and starting my business around work and family. My plan is to start my cinnamon roll business at the beginning of February. 

Another concept I learned was to develop a competitive advantage. Although I do feel it's important to know what you are doing and work hard to provide the best product or service you can, I do feel there is room for everyone. I'd like to build my company on the foundation that I can work hard and provide my product and service and so can another company--right along with me. I do not need to create enemies of my competition, although my human nature seems to push me towards the "competition is my enemy" concept.

Finally, I was impressed upon by the spirit listening to President Hinckley's address. Oh, the pleadings of a father to his children. He pleaded with us, to be honest. He sounded like a loving father to me. I remember first hearing him speak back in 2002 and the spirit touched me just as strong this week as it did back then. I want to run my business so that my father and President Hinkley would be proud; with no regrets and without any dishonesty.