Week 13 - A Journey of Gratitude

This week our study was focused on the importance of gratitude while on our entrepreneurial journey. Through having a grateful attitude, we stay humble and open to the wisdom and experience of those we surround ourselves with – gratitude is an essential part of being a lifelong learner.

This week’s assignments specifically focused on the case study of entrepreneur Randy Haykin and his passion for being a lifelong learner. His desire to continually learn pushed him to try new things, to think outside of the box in terms of his career path, and to push ahead with ideas (even if others might have discouraged him). Following his passions provided him with opportunities that helped him discover his own potential and allowed him to provide others with unique opportunities under his direction. 

Another important aspect of Randy's entrepreneurial journey was his ability to develop genuine relationships. Networking, collaborating and learning are all important traits an entrepreneur should embrace - the path to success is much easier to navigate when we have the right people around us. Because Randy prioritized learning from others and sharing in their experiences on a professional and personal level, he was able to maintain relationships that he could reference later on. Some of these relationships created challenges for him, but most allowed him to find continued success and growth. As we grow our circle of professional colleagues, associates and mentors we allow space for personal and professional development - both attributes that will contribute to a positive entrepreneurial experience.

The third important lesson to be learned from this case study is the importance of finding a solid work/life balance. As I move forward with clear expectations of what might lie ahead, I can adopt an understanding that being a leader does not mean that I have to be all things to all people. As Haykin states, “A leader is someone who sets the creative direction for a concept and can then harness the human resources to turn that concept into a reality…a leader is someone who creates something from nothing.” Moving forward, I will strive to spend as much effort developing my leadership skills as I do in the development of my business ideas. Finding a balance of continual learning, appropriate risk taking and prioritizing my time will greatly benefit me along the path to success.