Evonne's Entrepreneurial Journal Blog

This week’s focus was Moving Forward with a Driving Passion. Similar to the past six weeks this semester, our study materials provided a well-rounded glimpse of applications for our spiritual and personal development, educational pursuits and our professional journey. In addition, we finished our reading of Mastery by George Leonard, which gives insights on ways to find success and long-term fulfillment in all aspects of our lives. I really enjoyed the focus on self-development and authenticity as integral parts of our personal, professional and spiritual success. While all of the materials were interesting and insightful, there were two that stood out to me the most. The first is Guy Kawasaki’s video Passion vs. Money – it gives us a clear understanding of the importance of following our passions. He says, “If you love it and you change the world, you will be rich.” In his talk we are advised to find the point where our passion intersects with a need in the world (something that chang...

The theme that most resonated with me this week is the concept of knowing who I am in order to grow personally, spiritually and professionally. As I work to understand my personal value, I will be more quipped to establish my personal priorities and will be more successful at staying accountable to myself. As I come to know myself, I am better able to set and keep boundaries that will lead to my success and gain the ability to endure through hard situations with the knowledge that through each experience I am becoming closer to achieving my goals. While watching the video The Entrepreneur and the Family , I connected to his statement that "you got to make the rules, or the startups will take over your life and you're going to be maybe successful but quite lonely." Truthfully, not one of us set out to live a lonely life, even in the pursuit of success. Many of us, however, find ourselves trapped in a cycle of all work and no play. Because my motivation for all things is ...

Jeff Sandefer’s A Hero’s Journey begins with a seemingly complex statement (taken from Hero’s Journey of Entrepreneurship ): “The hero’s journey is all about you, but it’s not about you at all .” As he predicted, I was confused and unsure that I would be able to decipher the meaning. Surprisingly, his incredible words shared in this week’s video brought me to a much deeper understanding of myself, my purpose and what really matters in life. We first need to understand what it means to be on a hero’s journey. While most of us strive to live a life that contributes positively to the world around us, far less aim for the traditional definition of hero status – I’m confident that a Marvel superhero career is not in my future. The true meaning of a hero’s journey, as Sandefer clarifies, “means to live every moment of your life like it matters, because it does .” Being on a hero journey begins with knowing who you are and where you come from; our eternal heritage and potential enables us...

This week’s focus was on the measurement of our life, specifically on ways that we can determine our life goals and tools that we can use to keep us on the right path towards those goals. One of the most significant activities this week was working on our own Core Value Statements. After personal introspection, I now clearly understand my number one Core Value Statement (as follows): Encourager: I strive to see the good in all people and to help them reach their eternal potential. I try and see each and every person in my life as God sees them, placing emphasis on their unique talents and gifts. I believe that ‘the worth of souls is great in the sight of God’ (D&C 18:10) and that it is not vain or prideful to also recognize my own worth.   I will study and pray to strengthen my testimony of this principle and will exercise charity in my daily life to help others find joy in the same message. I will not entertain ideas or activities that do not reinforce and guide me towards...

I really enjoyed learning from Elder Lynn G. Robbins this week. His talk ‘Making a Living and a Life’ focused on the importance of working hard and living honestly as essential components of our Heavenly Father’s plan for us. I especially liked his evaluation system for the interplay between a love of God and our fellow men and our need to make a living (see below).   Grade Primary Motivation Secondary Motivation A  Love Income B  Money Love C  Love of money Indifferent to customers D  Filthy Lucre  Harmful to customers F  Filthy Lucre Harmful to customers and to society, nations destroyed. Additionally, he outlines three helpful principles that can help us make A-level choices, even when the decision isn’t immediately clear. Can you ask the Lord’s ...