Last Lecture

When I was younger, I did a parachute jump – it was a static line jump, which means that the parachute automatically opens as soon as you leave the airplane.  I spent a day training, and we learned exactly how we should jump from the plane, how to check the parachute canopy and how to direct the parachute to the landing zone.

I did well in training, but when the time came to jump, I forgot almost everything.  I just jumped out of the plane and let the parachute take me wherever it wanted to go.  The strategy almost worked, but as I got closer to the ground I realized I was heading straight for a river.  Some last minute adjustments saved me from a wet and potentially dangerous landing.

I have often felt that my career choices have been very similar to that day – falling whichever way my career took me, by and large it has been a pleasant journey, but I have rarely felt in control!

In the book “Mastery - The Key to Success and Long-Term Fulfillment” by George Leonard, I learned that mastery is not a short-term or reactive thing, a true master will persevere.  It is important to remember that the journey is important.  It’s not all about the results.  We need to learn to enjoy the journey, ultimately the results will come.  

Elder Holland said “Trust God and believe in good things to come".  This is a great message.  We need to remember to rely on the Lord and put our trust entirely in Him, even in our business ventures.

Early in the semester, Jim Ritchie gave us some good advice in his “formula for success”. This applies to everyone, and we can adapt to our personal needs, but I must admit, I like it as it is:

1.     Get up early

2.     Work Hard

3.     Get your education

4.     Find your oil

5.     Make your mark

6.     Get prepared to be of service

As the semester has progressed, we have explored some of this guidance even further and I have learned more about the balance required to be an entrepreneur.  It is not just about making money and being independent, but it is also about giving back, and adding value to society.

There are people that give entrepreneurship a bad name, we have all been approached by people (even at Church) who "have a great business opportunity" for us, and encourage us to sell a product or service in some form of multi-level marketing initiative.  My experience with these people is that they rarely are true entrepreneurs, but are seeking opportunities to make lots of money for not much work.  I have yet to see any of them become successful.  This is not entrepreneurship.

Working hard, giving back, enjoying the journey and adding value.  THAT is what it means to be an entrepreneur.  It "means recognizing that life is hard" (Jeff Sandefer, Living Life as an Entrepreneurial Hero),

My entrepreneurial goals are not to make lots more money, but rather to build a brand and a business that will enable me to build a lifestyle that will be compatible with semi-retirement, and enable me to do the work that I enjoy while maintaining a balanced life.

This semester has been incredibly impactful to me.  At a time when I am forced to make a change in employment, I now have opportunities and desire to do something more entrepreneurial.

The timing is impeccable!