Creativity

One of the things that has stayed with me from this weeks information has been the time that we should put towards creative pursuits. The idea that 50% of the products that Google has released have resulted from spending time creatively, seems to further impress that you can't spend all of your time on the numbers, goals, and mundane things in business to be successful. I think by allowing personal creativity Google has empowered their employees to think with an entrepreneurial mind and freedom that can only be positive.

Another thing that has stayed with me was the Native American analogy of the battle between the 2 wolves. Either of the wolves only succeeds if we allow them to. If we feed our greed with only thinking about money and the way to get it, then we are not living in a smart way. If we allow pride to dictate our choices then we will miss out on better choices and possible better end results. The Lord wants us to be successful and to enjoy life and prosper. We must look for ways to help others and to be a positive influence in the world to reap all the rewards available.

Week 9

I really enjoyed some of the points shared in the videos that we viewed this week. One of the points that I liked was that a true leader takes people to higher ground. And that a leader stands up for something of importance, if that is what they believe in. A leader needs to have a personal moral standard in order to be trusted by others. I also liked the point that a leader is someone who wants the good for other people and is not merely centered on their own self-interests and ambitions. A leader also is most effective when he has love for those he works with. A leader should lead by example and where necessary lend a listening ear when others have a message to share, and allow input to solutions.

I also liked the quote by Darwin that states, "It is not the strongest of the species that survives, but those most adaptive to change." We only grow and learn as we adapt to the challenges and opportunities that we face. If we don't adapt to change, then we fall behind and may not see new opportunities for learning and improving.

 Regarding what makes a great company I agree that it must involve having passion for the work someone is doing and then doing what you can be the best at in the world. If you do what you love to do and you're good at it, then that is the most rewarding situation. In many cases, if you have the former 2 parts then the economic aspect will work out. I think their were a lot of compelling concepts shared during this week.

Week 8 Post

This week’s materials have been interesting and encouraging to absorb. The worthwhile endeavors we want to accomplish in life cannot be attained by shortcut. The account of how the saints, under the supervision of Brigham Young, were able to persevere to complete the temple is amazing to comprehend. Just to move one block of granite took such painstaking efforts. The progress they made was sometimes unnoticeable. But finally, they accomplished their final goal. 

The analogy that Elder Holland made in comparison to the dedication and painstaking time in the construction of the Salt Lake temple and how we need to lay a personal foundation to build our lives including through education, spiritual growth, and other experiences. It is amazing to consider the sacrifice and the hard work that the people made while constructing the temple. We must also make personal sacrifices, at times, to reach our ultimate goals in the end and see the fruits of dedication.

I also enjoyed the quotes, shared by Elder Holland, that were given by Winston Churchill during World War II, in relation to facing difficulties and an ominous outlook. At times we might feel beaten and the result we desire may seem unattainable at the moment and impossible even. But if we keep working and having belief, anyone can reach the final outcome we desire to achieve. Life is about working through difficulties and obstacles that get in the way. In doing that, we become stronger and better people.  

Week 7

This has been an interesting week of study material. I have enjoyed reviewing the 7 habits paper and the Mastery reading as well. I enjoy learning how various individuals have responded to a variety of either challenges or difficulties, either self inflicted or inherited, and their different and usually very positive or intuitive answers to those difficulties.

I have had previous exposure to the 7 habits literature from various sources. Though reviewing them again, I am very impressed with the habit of Win/Win. I think that is a habit that I can become better at and with my interactions with others personally or in the professional arena. I think another area that I can improve on is taking time to Sharpen the saw, or simply taking small time regularly to be sure that I am balancing my time well. And also, not trying to focus too much on one area, but taking time to be physically, mentally, and spiritually aligned.

I also enjoyed the various accounts that Pres Hinckley shared in his message. Especially the part where he shared about taking the time to just be of service to someone else in need, or just taking time from our busy lives to help those who may be wanting of a word of kindness.