Who... or What? The Big and Small of it All.
Who or What? The Big and Small of it All
As I am preparing to register for the next semester of school and consider what classes and how many I should take, it has weighed a bit on my mind. I have to consider as I move forward in my journey, who I have working with me that will guide and support me in the success I seek to have. Sometimes I wonder just what is it that I am trying to accomplish?
Sometimes I feel like this frog!
"Who"-is definitely the most important factor for success in business and in life. When I consider who is "on my team" I am so very grateful for the respective time and the encouragement my family gives me. When I get discouraged it is "who" is helping me that helps me realize "What" really counts. I credit my Heavenly Father for the great people that surround me. He helps with "the big and small of it all".
I have been learning about the importance of great mentors, I can't pass up the opportunity to pay tribute to my father-in-law Mark Sevy. (This is a picture of him above with my oldest daughter Tiffany on one of his horses, Cinnamon Twister). He has passed on, yet our whole family is still benefiting from his entrepreneurial spirit and accomplishments. My husband and his 2 brothers are partners in a business that Mark and his brother-in-law started, post retirement, 40 something years ago. Mark had built a career as a noted and successful manager for Zales jewelers throughout the 50's, 60' and early 70's. His career began upon his return from WWII as a door to door salesman for a local Utah based company and then escalated to great success in his time with Zales. Retiring early, he settled down with a few investment properties to enjoy his retirement here in St. George, Utah. He was yet in his late 40's. His brother-in-law, who owned the local jewelry store showed him a suitcase he had acquired filled with Native American turquoise and silver jewelry that he had received as payment from someone... (A story for another day). As a favor, Mark took his wife and the suitcase of jewelry to find a place to liquidate it for him. He got 20 miles out of town and had sold it all. As he looked into the demand for this type of jewelry, with admiration for the skill and the art he could see how he could represent Native American artists to sell and promote their goods. They could increase their income and obtain steady work and Marks skill as a salesman supplied customers. 47 years later this entrepreneurial venture, M&S TURQUOISE, provides work opportunities for many artists and families across the southwest. It consists of a local gift shop and and acts as a supplier to many others nation wide.
M&S TURQUOISE sponsors an annual toy drive that distributes community donations for Christmas to the local Native American Shivwit Piute band. This has evolved into include other native communities and fills various needs as determined by band leaders as well as scholarships for college.
To do my class assignment this week I was to find an entrepreneur to interview. This was kind of scary! But after much thought I made 2 phone calls to two different people that I greatly admire to see if either one of them would let me have a bit of their time. (Don't tell my teacher I did two interviews...haha I just couldn't decide). They both said a resounding yes and gave me a time they could meet. I was hesitant that I may be stretching myself too thin, but you know, It was amazing and worked out great! I got some really great information and answers to important questions like:
- What are your qualifications and title for your job?
- What do you want me to know about your story?
- What are the key challenges you face in this business?
- Do you feel this industry or kind of business is stable, growing, or declining?
- What kind of opportunities have come to you in this business?
- What was the greatest influence that brought you to this work?
- What do you like most or least about your job?
- What are the most valuable skills or talents you bring to the success of this business?
- What values or attitudes are most important in this industry?
- Would I be able to do this work?
What I Have Learned...
There was a lot of reading for class this week. I loved every minute of it and have, again, shared much of what I learned with family and friends. I am sure they find it amusing at how excited I get over things like the "Hedgehog Concept" and the "Flywheel" that I learned about in "Good To Great-Why some companies make the leap... and others don't", by Jim Collins. I can see the importance of finding what you do well and sticking to it. Jim Collins says that when you, "act consistently", you "accumulate results" in which "people get enthused", which "adds momentum" to this positive cycle putting the flywheel in motion. This can take whatever you are doing to a whole new level. I can see where this may work business and also in family relationships, spiritual growth, education...etc.
This leads me to another aspect of what I studied this week and that is of "Leadership"...to be specific, "Disciple Leadership" or leadership with a small "L". When we consistently seek to follow the example of the Savior, we are more capable to lead others to him by our example. Not that we are so great, but that He is great....His ways bring blessings of success and joy into our lives and the lives of others. This is the "Good News" we have the opportunity to share with our neighbors, family and friends!
A "Disciple Leader" is a "Disciple Learner". Carly Fiorina, in her BYU-I video clip "Leadership and Capability" says, "The people who keep learning, who keep trying new things are "vibrant." And the people who stop learning, and stop trying new things, are old before their time." She explains that you can be vibrant at any age when you make it a point to keep learning. This was a message of hope to me as I struggle to figure out why I am so passionate about school right now at this late time in my life... Being vibrant sounds amazing!
What I Need to Learn...
- Well...I missed a couple of questions again on my quiz. I sometimes feel like they are trick questions, like it could be right if you take it in a certain context or it is the exact wording that is in the material but it is said a different way somewhere else and that is what they are looking for. I won't complain, but I definitely want to find where my thinking is going so that I can change direction. UGH!
- Still working on making my prayers more thoughtful of others and what the Lord would have me do for them, for my family and how to manage my time and trust that I can.
- Still working on my listening skills.
- I am working on pressing forward to increase speed in my studies so that I can feel confident in taking more credits in upcoming semesters.
Spiritual Insights...
This week I have been studying the story of David and Goliath. I have come to realize that the size of the task before us is irrelevant when we put our faith and trust in the Lord. It is He that has brought us to this place. He has prepared us for this day and this time in our lives. Like he prepared David to meet Goliath, he has prepared us and continues to prepare us for the challenges we face. In this story I'm reminded that it is not about what is big or small at all...It is about making courageous choices and getting things done! (I was going to say execution, but It sounded too gruesome in relation to this story.)
1 Samuel 17:45
"Then said David to the Philistine, Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear and with a shield: but I come to thee in the name of the Lord of hosts the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou has defied."
...Am I ready and willing when the Lord calls?
Goals...
- Review past blogs and lessons
- Plan a trip with Bret for our anniversary
- Get 7.5- 8 hours of sleep more consistently
- Continue to work on a new spreadsheet for contacts and addresses etc.
Comments
Post a Comment