Shades of Mint

 In honor of the upcoming holiday, I decided to write on the importance of freedom in order to enjoy entrepreneurial pursuits. When The United States of America was founded, the Constitution allowed certain freedoms that were difficult to find or nonexistent elsewhere. As one of my favorite books, The Making of America  by Cleon Skousen explains, Americans have the freedom to try,   the freedom to buy , the freedom to sell , and the freedom to fail.  Without these opportunities, Entrepreneurship would not exist, and neither would America's economy as we know it. All of the worlds progress in innovation, technology and so forth from the last two hundred years wouldn't be possible. America was founded with an entrepreneurial spirit and it is the sole reason we enjoy the world that we do. I'm in awe just thinking about it. It is a shame that more Americans don't realize just how blessed they are and how much potential they have that they waste.  Things I have learn...

This week's entry is focused Chapter 8 of the Launching Leaders book we have to read in class. Money should have a purpose. It shouldn't be the end goal, only a means to achieve the end goal.  The book teaches the 5 following principles: 1)  Make sure whatever goals you have aligned with God's. Don't allow the desire for wealth to change you or make you forget God. Always remember that it is God who helped you to become who you are and to bring you to the success that you have. Remain humble and the Lord will continue to bless you.  2) Know your context, what is the world like around you? The rules that applied to the economy thirty years ago may no longer apply to today. The world has different opportunities and different challenges than in the past. Learn from the lessons others have learned, and decide which ones will apply best to your current state.  3) Be a good steward. The chapter tell the account of the three servants who were given talents from their master...

This week one of the things I want to focus on in my journal is small "l" leadership. This is a form of leadership that is not in the public eye. It is essentially being a leader in your individual circle of influence. There are many public figures and leaders, but leaders are needed on every level. Small "l" leaders stand for what important and motivate others to stand with them. They aren't just out there at the head of big firms and businesses, rather, they are the people who work in offices, warehouses and in construction companies. Most big "L" leaders are one's who were once small "l" leaders.  Things I have learned: How to be a leader and influence those around me for good. Books like The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People , and How To Win Friends And Influence People , have helped to teach me how to be a leader to my peers.  Things I am still learning: How to be a leader and influence those around me for good. Just because I...

 This weeks readings and lesson were on perseverance and having a tolerance for ambiguity. Ambiguity is doubtfulness or having unsurety. It is something that every entrepreneur needs to learn how to do. They need to learn to be comfortable with being uncomfortable in order to take risks and succeed. Perseverance comes from accepting setbacks and choosing to move forward. There's an awful lot of people in this world to back down too quickly and easily and it takes character to keep going when things get tough. The secret to perseverance is being able to see the end goal. If you can see where it is that you want to go, that hope of being able to reach it will push you and keep you from quitting.  Things I have learned  I have learned that mental stamina is very important to success. Being able to sacrifice what is less important in order to gain something that is more. Making decisions and then learning to stick with them.  Things I am still learning  How to be ok...

 The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People is one of my first self-help books I ever owned and is one of my favorites. The principles are timeless and reliable. These are the principles in order: 1) Be Proactive 2) Begin With The End In Mind 3) Put First Things First 4) Think Win/Win 5) Seek First To Understand, Then To Be Understood 6) Synergize 7) Sharpen The Saw (take care of yourself) I love how the focus of the first three principles is winning the internal victory. It means creating the habits and lifestyle and deciding on your core values. I wanted to record my strengths and weaknesses in these here.  Things I Have Learned: Focus your life on your core values. Too often people tend to place their self worth and how they live their lives based on others opinions. The only reliable source to be happy is to build your life on solid moral ideas. I'm still learning the habit of being Proactive in all aspects of my life. I am proactive to a certain extent, but it comes in w...