Week 6: So You Want to Be an Entrepreneur?

Make your sixth journal entry/blog post this week. Reflect upon the things that you are learning and experiencing so far in this course. What are you looking forward to learning and experiencing? What did you learn from the readings and videos this week?

I loved the talk by N. Eldon Tanner, "Success Is Gauged by Self-Mastery." He quoted Plato, Solomon, and DaVinci. I love when apostles, etc. quote "the masters" and not just other figures in the gospel. Truth is truth. Lately, self-mastery has been a particular focus of mine. President Nelson gave a talk in 1985 entitled "Self-Mastery" and I've been studying it and working on the principles he spoke of during that talk over the past few weeks. DaVinci's words, in particular, really spoke to me, so I'll include it as I would read it to myself:

You will never have a greater or lesser dominion than that over yourself... the height of a [wo]man's success is gauged by [her] self-mastery; the depth of [her] failure by [her] self-abandonment... And this law is the expression of eternal justice. [S]he who cannot establish dominion over [her]self will have no dominion over others.

I have made sacred covenants in holy places with my Father in Heaven. DaVinci's words really made me reflect upon those covenants. Self discipline, self-mastery, dominion over self... all of these terms or phrases mean more than just picking up some good habits that will allow me to have more energy, have a cleaner home, make more money, etc. I need to rise above the natural woman if I'm to have any hope to receive the blessings that have been promised to me. Becoming the right kind of self-controlled woman at home, in private, in all of my affairs will serve me well now and in the eternities. Being a self-mastered woman will allow me to reach my full potential, to find and fulfill my calling, and to be even more happy.

In "So You Want to Be an Entrepreneur?" I learned more about the types of knowledge that I should acquire to have a better shot at success. I was super impressed that I was given tips on how to acquire Industry Knowledge. I really didn't expect to read anything that was very specific, and I feel like I did get that. Finding work with a venture capitalist, though rare and hard to land, is the best and quickest way to gain industry knowledge. This is followed by working in banks, insurance companies, and acquisitive companies. Though consulting companies can offer great industry knowledge, there is less varied exposure and lots of time required in one consult. Lastly, jobs in sales and operations in an industry can yield great knowledge if I'm willing to do good work, ask lots of intelligent questions, and keep my eyes and ears peeled. I'd need to make great connections with people too, which is true in any case. I'm really looking forward to learning more specific types of advice as this course, and subsequent courses in this journey.