Formula for Success

President Monson's talk had a great impact on me this week. I plan to put into action his Formula for Success in my life. 
First - fill your mind with truth 

• “You do not find truth groveling through error. You find truth by searching the holy word of God.” - First step search the scriptures. I do this but I have noticed that as I have started school I have not been as consistent at daily scripture study. At work this can be done by not only relying on what looks to be truth or the answer in situations. I must search for the right answer and rely on the Spirit to help.

Second - fill your life with service

• All of us benefit when we remember to magnify our callings. I must not only magnify my callings in Church but also as a home teacher, father and husband. How can I serve my neighbors? How can I teach my children serve? At work how can I help others? 

Third, - fill your heart with love

• I must follow the example of the Savior. At work I must be caring to others and show my Christlike Spirit. 

Questions to ponder

What is your attitude toward money? 

Money makes things easier but can overcome us. I don't seek after riches. I just want to be able to take care of my family and provide them with opportunities.

How can your view of money affect the way you live?

It helps me stay grounded. In business I don't look for opportunities to make others look bad so that I can come out on top. It also makes me be more frugal and budget wisely. 

What rules are recommended for prospering?

Budgeting is one of the most important things for me. I am looking to be able to enjoy my career more. If this includes being an entrepreneur then full steam ahead. Either way I need to spend less than I earn. Finding that balance between work and life helps me prosper. 

Choose your companions wisely

I learned a valuable lesson this week. 

"Choose Your Companions Wisely"

I have been on a team for the last seven weeks that has failed to come together. We haven't met as a group as instructed and never seem to agree on the same course of action. We have all made individual choices for our team but have not made team decisions. This reminds me of the "Hero's Journey". If I choose partners in business that don't have the same passion or work ethic or ethics as I have it will be a mistake. I have on many occasion filled a position at work with someone that wasn't right for the position just because of a need. I failed to see the bigger picture and focused only on the immediate need. 

Action : (From Hero’s Journey)

1. Be a man of integrity. Then only choose partners that have the same integrity as myself.

2. Surround myself with people who are optimistic and kind.

3. Surround myself with people that are passionate. (be passionate)

Most Important

My wife is my most significant companion of all

Small "L" Leadership

Principle 1 – Lead by Example

·        Of course the Savior is the ultimate example. How can I emulate the Savior at work? This week I have experienced several opportunities for unethical behavior. What would I be teaching my team if I chose to be unethical? These were small decisions but costly choices. Even as simple as not partnering with my boss on a decision I made. A decision he may never find out about. My team would know and I would know the choice I made.

o   “What Manner of Man Ought You to Be”

Principle 2 – Lead with Vision

·        “One of the most important things that leaders do is to help the people they lead understand the larger meaning and purpose of their daily work.” President Kim B. Clark.

o   I have realized that my team buys into my vision if they know it and understand it.

Principle 3 – Lead with Love

·        I know that this can be done in the home and in our callings but how can I follow this at work. I like my team but do I love them? I realized if I see my team as children of God looking to do well I want them to do good as well.

Questions to think about daily

               How can I follow the 3 Principles of Small “L” Leadership?

               What are my opportunities?

               How can I teach Small “L” Leadership to others?

The Five Whys

How do we get to the root of a problem?

I am often asked to get to the root of the problem. What appears to be the issue is often a byproduct of the REAL issue. The Five Whys may be the solution by Eric Ries. In his video he teaches us how to not only figure out the real problem but to also get us on a path to fix it. First we need to ask questions to figure out why something happened. As we do so we get to different layers that each may have a part in fixing the issue. A few things that I must remember.

1. Find at least one improvement at each layer
2. Be prepared to invest time in the end

How does this relate to me?

As a future entrepreneur I will need to seek the right answers to issues at hand.

DON'T BE AFRAID TO FIND THE ANSWER!!!

When you do

BE DETERMINED TO FIX THE ISSUE!!!!!!!

If we have courage in the moment not being afraid of our mistakes we can overcome any obstacle. My challenge to make the Five Whys my habit in my daily decision making. This isn't only valuable at work we can learn this way as well. I look at the way I do my homework and plan and using the Five Whys I realize my planning is lacking. I am not spending enough time at the beginning of the week mapping out how to complete all my assignments. This will become my weekly goal. The Five Whys.  
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