There are times in life when you go along and it's kind of like a road trip in traffic. You know you have a long way to go but things are not really humming along. You're moving, but only about 40 or 50 and even though you know you will get there in time, you're just cruising along in third gear. You're eating up ground, but not getting where you want fast enough.
That's what this week mostly consisted of, third gear cruising. Maybe the wind is picking up, or maybe I worked harder, or maybe something. I don't know. But for whatever reason, I had no major hiccups, but no hurts of speed either.
I was looking very forward this week to a major infusion of cash that I have been waiting on for more than a year Well, it was supposed to have been sent a hundred times, but then this last week was the drop dead date. Turns out the guy I work for misread the contract and the bank actually has another week. This infusion of cash will, or should, really kick off some new investment or entrepreneurial ideas for me and I am really looking forward to it. So next Tuesday it is. here is to hoping I am in 4th gear and doing 75 by next Friday
My lone employee and I are working on the $100 challenge and are making progress and are up to $40 already, way more than I expected in two weeks.
Friday, October 24, 2014
Saturday, October 18, 2014
Badwater
Badwater basin is the lowest spot on in North America. For many years it was considered the lowest spot in the Western Hemisphere, but there a place was discovered in Argentina that was 60 or so feet lower. Badwater is appropriately located in Death Valley, Ca, likely one of the most inhospitable places on earth. By comparison, but totally not germane to this post, Mount Whitney is the highest point in the contiguous United States and it is only about 85 miles away.
If last week was a valley, it was only a mountain valley, and this week is Badwater basin to last weeks mid level low. I found out this week that what was supposed to be 18 months to finish my business degree is now more likely to be three years plus. I was devastated and struggled the whole week.
Despite the difficulties, I was able to speak to someone about some future investments and entrepreneurial opportunities. I was very excited even though a lot needs to happen before either of these ideas will come to fruition. Nevertheless, or perhaps because of, the difficulties faced earlier in the week, I was very, very excited to at least be moving in the direction of my dreams. It was a challenge to think positively and realize that movement and action do not depend on my degree. I need to be moving.
If nothing else I was reminded this week of the need to keep moving. Slowing or even stopping due to despair or setback is a crime. Stop your whining and get to work.
On my $100 challenge, I have my business plan fully underway, have my investor in place, have my financing complete and am currently building my customer base. Next week is our first day of work!
If last week was a valley, it was only a mountain valley, and this week is Badwater basin to last weeks mid level low. I found out this week that what was supposed to be 18 months to finish my business degree is now more likely to be three years plus. I was devastated and struggled the whole week.
Despite the difficulties, I was able to speak to someone about some future investments and entrepreneurial opportunities. I was very excited even though a lot needs to happen before either of these ideas will come to fruition. Nevertheless, or perhaps because of, the difficulties faced earlier in the week, I was very, very excited to at least be moving in the direction of my dreams. It was a challenge to think positively and realize that movement and action do not depend on my degree. I need to be moving.
If nothing else I was reminded this week of the need to keep moving. Slowing or even stopping due to despair or setback is a crime. Stop your whining and get to work.
On my $100 challenge, I have my business plan fully underway, have my investor in place, have my financing complete and am currently building my customer base. Next week is our first day of work!
Saturday, October 11, 2014
The valleys after the sunrise
I like to hike. A lot. I would hike all the time if I could. Hiking, as in life, has ups and downs. When you stand on the edge of a great vista and can see some great beauty or for miles and miles, it is easy to be pumped up about what lies ahead. Sunrise in the mountains in particularly sweet, when the long shadows leave a mark on the land and your soul that takes a bit to wash away. Much more difficult are the days or miles when you see long, busy valleys before you where you can barely see around the next turn. The miles pass slowly and the trees seems to hide a consistent variety of uphills and downhills that hurt your legs and your spirit.
This week was the long, low valley after last weeks high I had a great deal of work that I had to get done no later than Thursday, as I was supposed to be gone for a business trip. I worked too much Monday through Wednesday and took on some assignments that I was not prepared for and as a result did not do well on. Only once my business trip was canceled was I able to breath a but but the damage was done. I was tired in body and soul and could't make my brain work at all. All the other things that remained went on the back burner as I spent friday sitting at my desk at work staring at the walls.
I spent very little time working on both my school entrepreneurial goals and also the list of things I had decided to work on this week as a result of last weeks epiphanies. I have a new goal facing me as I go into this week. I am going to get more sleep, have fewer caffeinated drinks, and focus more on the things that matter. I want to go hiking. I have a trip planned in six weeks, I am going to keep that in my mind as I try to pile up the miles through this current valley.
This week was the long, low valley after last weeks high I had a great deal of work that I had to get done no later than Thursday, as I was supposed to be gone for a business trip. I worked too much Monday through Wednesday and took on some assignments that I was not prepared for and as a result did not do well on. Only once my business trip was canceled was I able to breath a but but the damage was done. I was tired in body and soul and could't make my brain work at all. All the other things that remained went on the back burner as I spent friday sitting at my desk at work staring at the walls.
I spent very little time working on both my school entrepreneurial goals and also the list of things I had decided to work on this week as a result of last weeks epiphanies. I have a new goal facing me as I go into this week. I am going to get more sleep, have fewer caffeinated drinks, and focus more on the things that matter. I want to go hiking. I have a trip planned in six weeks, I am going to keep that in my mind as I try to pile up the miles through this current valley.
Thursday, October 2, 2014
A new, exciting week and hiking as a calling
For many years, I wanted to start backpacking and hiking. I would come across places I wanted to see in my travels and think that I wanted to go hike there, but I never got around to doing it, I didm;t even know where to start.
Then one day, I was called to be Elders Quorum President. I went to a training session with the Stake Presidency. They talked about the need for the Elder's Quorum President to interface with the young men and to do things with them so there wasn't a gap from the Aaronic Priesthood to the Melchizedek Priesthood. They said, "When those boys go hiking, YOU GO HIKING!"
So the next time the boys planned a hike, I gathered what little I had and went with them. And I nearly died. I am pretty sure I saw visions at one point. Maybe hallucinations is a better word. And then we got out of the car and started moving. I made the hike, and made it home, and even learned a few things. Actually, I learned a lot. Within months I had a bought a few things and changed a few things and very quickly I was a master backpacker. I was going for a week at a time and making 10-20 miles a day rather than the 5 I had done that first time with the boys. It took just one time for my thinking to take a quantum leap.
I feel like this week has been a similar experience. I read some things and worked on some things, and all of a sudden I saw a clear path through to where I want to go and how I want to get there. I have been taking some accounting classes and side work, and that, coupled with a better reading of some entrepreneurship principles, helped me to focus the jumble of thoughts I have had for years into a single focused beam of thinking. My wife and I sat down and made some plans, and I finally am moving down the path to the goal I didn't have before.
I was also very moved by a principle that I read about how to run a gospel centered business and making sure that we put people first. these two things together propelled me forward in the same quantum leap in my entrepreneurial future and I am excited for what the future holds. Now to put my thoughts into action.
Then one day, I was called to be Elders Quorum President. I went to a training session with the Stake Presidency. They talked about the need for the Elder's Quorum President to interface with the young men and to do things with them so there wasn't a gap from the Aaronic Priesthood to the Melchizedek Priesthood. They said, "When those boys go hiking, YOU GO HIKING!"
So the next time the boys planned a hike, I gathered what little I had and went with them. And I nearly died. I am pretty sure I saw visions at one point. Maybe hallucinations is a better word. And then we got out of the car and started moving. I made the hike, and made it home, and even learned a few things. Actually, I learned a lot. Within months I had a bought a few things and changed a few things and very quickly I was a master backpacker. I was going for a week at a time and making 10-20 miles a day rather than the 5 I had done that first time with the boys. It took just one time for my thinking to take a quantum leap.
I feel like this week has been a similar experience. I read some things and worked on some things, and all of a sudden I saw a clear path through to where I want to go and how I want to get there. I have been taking some accounting classes and side work, and that, coupled with a better reading of some entrepreneurship principles, helped me to focus the jumble of thoughts I have had for years into a single focused beam of thinking. My wife and I sat down and made some plans, and I finally am moving down the path to the goal I didn't have before.
I was also very moved by a principle that I read about how to run a gospel centered business and making sure that we put people first. these two things together propelled me forward in the same quantum leap in my entrepreneurial future and I am excited for what the future holds. Now to put my thoughts into action.
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