My Last Lecture

My Last Lecture

Believe in what you are doing, believe in who you are, hold tight to the truth.

If you had one final lecture to share with a group of students on what you have learned from this course, what would you share?

            I would share that I learned so much about myself through this class, I learned that there are so many things to consider when trying to decide if you should start a business. Balance is a vital part of our lives and that we must put things in proper order. We have so many things that need out time and attention and if you do not decide early in life what matters most and what you will not allow to take you from what is most important than you may find yourself down a path that does not lead you to your goals and dreams. There is so much to learn, and you need to understand that education comes in many forms but you must make learning a key ingredient to be successful. You must not allow pride to take control of you or you may find that even if you do reach your goals it may be very lonely when you have ostracized others and will not have the help of the Lord. Which brings me t the most important key to success and that is to find out what your gifts and talents are and then ask the Lord to help you know hoe to develop them and use them for good and service of others, as you do this success will come.

What would be your last bit of advice to someone wanting to begin the entrepreneur journey?

            I would say that find out all there is to know about the area of business you would like to go into and what skills are necessary to be successful, and then work for many different companies or organizations that will tech those necessary skills. Recognize that you need short-term and long-term goals and do not get impatient and jump the gun until you are truly ready go out on your own. Take risks that are educated and small so that when you fail you will learn and grow and not have to suffer too much because you failed at the small things and learned from them before risking too much. Recognize that there may be many places you work before you find you “dream job” and your dreams may change as you learn things you dd not know. You may find that you have had several “dream jobs” along the way because you learned choice things at each.

What words of advice, direction, or caution would you give him or her if you had only one chance to give your own last lecture?

Self-discipline, if mastered, will be your saving grace. You have control of your future if you are smart and choose mentors wisely and follow their counsel, especially people that are not only successful by the world’s standards but by the Lord’s standards. I really like the story of Tom Monaghan, founder of Dominos, he was able to make huge course correction in his life before it was too late and choose to not let pride rule him anymore and is spending the rest of his life giving and realizing the true peace and joy that come from service. I know that as we serve and help others all along the way, not just when we’ve arrived and we are wealthy, but now, we will blessed and we will have true success.

In the video Launching leaders Peak Performance, I really loved this list of things that will be me as I become the person I intend to become through self-discipline.

I am financially self-reliant

I am physically fit

I am identifying my skills and talents

I am a product of what I eat

I understand that value of humor

I am a leader

I am mentally tough; I don’t complain

I am a communicator

I can motivate with deprecation other, I can inspire others to action.

I am like the great enlightened masters of history.

Another important thing we must learn is what each of our dragons are and how to fight them, I had an aha moment when I realized that one of my dragons is that I have a love for money that controls my thoughts and actions too much. I am afraid of success because I am worried about whether it will make me worse not better. I want to do what is right for the right reasons and I also really want nice things in this life. I must find a balance to be right with God, myself, and my family.

President Thomas S. Monson, “Finishers Wanted”

In life, as in business, there has always been a need for those persons who could be called finishers. Their ranks are few, their opportunities many, their contributions great.

From the very beginning to the present time, a fundamental question remains to be answered by each who runs the race of life. Shall I falter, or shall I finish? On the answer await the blessings of joy and happiness here in mortality and eternal life in the world to come.

Lest we lull ourselves into thinking that only the gross sins of life cause us to falter, consider the experience of the rich young man who came running to the Savior and asked the question: “Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?”

Lust for power, greed of gold, and disdain of one’s honor have ever appeared as faces of failure in the panorama of life. Captivated by their artificial attraction, many noble souls have stumbled and fallen, thus losing the crown of victory reserved for the finisher of life’s great race.

The Mark of Effort. Vision without effort is daydreaming; effort without vision is drudgery; but vision, coupled with effort, will obtain the prize.

Harvard Business Publishing, “Recognizing and Shaping Opportunity” Lynda M. Applegate, Serie Editor

Figuring out which trait (Heart, smarts, guts, and Luck) drive you and your decisions is the most important thing you can do to enhance your business leadership. Greater awareness of what you’re best at, and how and when you might need to turn up or turn down the volume of the other traits, is what separated the best business-builders from those who are very good.

I am finishing my last semester, and this has been very powerful for me to end with this class because I feel that it is helping me decide where my road will now take me. My husband works on campus, so I had the privilege of attending the employee banquet a couple nights ago. President Eyring gave an address and he gave a metaphor that really touched me. He talked about the Jaredites and how they were blessed with not having to have their language confounded and they were able to communicate, they were led to a beautiful place next to the ocean and they settled there for 4 years completely content to just stay there. The lord had bigger plans for them in the Promised Land, but they stopped asking the Lord for guidance. The Lord rebuked them and told them to continue to pray. President Eyring said that we must also ask the Lord, “what is next for me” This is where I am, and I want to follow the Lord’s plan for me, fulfill my mission, and serve others through my education and success with the Lord’s help and guidance every step of the way.