Week 7 (October 26, 2020)

From the book The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen R. Covey, the habit that means the most to me is Habit #5: Seek first to understand, then to be understood.  This habit is largely defined by empathetic listening, or paying attention to what another person is saying with emotional integrity. 

I like to help people with their genealogy.  One of the things I have learned to do is sit down with that person and listen intently.  I may jot down names and dates, but I am paying attention to them.  I ignore my phone.  I do not interrupt; I save any questions for when they are finished explaining their mystery.  Too many times I have watched someone begin to tell their tale, as in “my grandfather lived here in 1946…” and the person helping them immediately runs to find the city directory for that year only to find out that the person was interested in a train collision that had happened here 20 years before his birth.

In Covey’s book, he mentions that an “amateur sells products, a professional sells solutions.”  I find that to be true, at least in the family history work I do.  After listening to someone tell me about their family and where they are meeting a brick wall in their research, I can oftentimes offer suggestions on where to look next.  I may find a clue to help in their research or at least a different avenue of record sets to research.

Once I have taken the time to understand the other person and what they are seeking, I can then formulate a response so that they can better understand me.  I speak to them in layman’s terms or explain terminology familiar to a genealogist.  When I explain to them why they are having no luck in finding their ancestor on the 1890 federal census, they better understand some of what goes into genealogical research.

When both parties have a good understanding of what one needs and what one has to offer, the communication and transaction are much more effective.  I feel I have a good grasp on Habit #5…now to learn, commit, and do the other six!

Week 6 (October 19, 2020)

This week was very informative.  "So, You Want to Be An Entrepreneur" was the topic.  From the article of the same name from the Acton Foundation for Entrepreneurial Excellence, I learned about the three principles needed to succeed as an entrepreneur: industry knowledge, operational fundamentals, and raising capital.  Each principle adds value to your growing business.

I can apply these three principles right now as I plan to start my own business.  Industry knowledge is a must.  For me, I need to study and understand the industry of a professional genealogist.  Where do they work?  How do they find clients?  What does a day, a week, and a year look like for them?  Do they just do research or give speeches or consulting work?  Do they specialize in a geographic area or a genealogy-related area, such as writing?  These are items I need to review in my community and local region.

Knowing how to run a business day-to-day is also especially useful.  Do I have an actual office where I can see clients or do I work from home?  If working from home, where do I meet with clients?  How do I record billable hours when I am being interrupted by the phone or email?  Do I have vendor accounts set up?  Do I have an IT repairman on-call?  Most businesses today need internet to handle day-to-day situations.  Do I keep petty cash on hand for emergencies?  How often do I deal with correspondence (right away or just when I can get to it)?  These are just a few examples I thought about when considering the operational aspect of my business.

I will need capital to get started.  I would rather invest in my business than borrow money or have others invest, though I know loans or investors are a possibility.  How will I raise the needed funds to get started if what I have is not enough?  Look into small business loans?  Try to find investors?  This is one area that I need to learn more about in order to be successful.[1]

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[1] Acton Foundation for Entrepreneurial Excellence, “So You Want to Be An Entrepreneur,” ActonFoundation.org.

Week 5 (October 12, 2020)

This week, our class had the privilege of watching "A Hero's Journey," a speech given by Jeff Sandefer, Acton School.  At the beginning, he said something intriguing: "Your entrepreneurial journey is all about you but it's not about you at all." [paraphrased]  Paradoxical, no?  By the end of his speech, it made total sense to me!

Your entrepreneurial journey boils down to three questions:

1. Have I contributed something meaningful? Did I make a difference? 

2. Was I good person?

3. Who did I love and who loved me?

I realized that those three questions were all about me but the resultant answers had nothing to be with me but with the world around me.

1. I contributed something to the world to make it a better place or it made a difference.

2. By being a good person, I helped someone else.

3. I loved my fellow man and they loved me in return.

To contribute something of value, you have to find your calling and also realize how you can be a driving force for a problem the world is facing.  To be a good person, you stay true to your ethics and morals.  You do the right thing.  Whether you know it or not, you've helped someone in some way.  To love your fellow man is to have the pure love of Christ.  Doing so, you are loved in return.  

Three important questions and three equally important answers to ponder.  To me, the "answers" listed above strike me as principles of the Gospel: faith, joy, and charity.  Have faith in your calling, be joyful, and love those around you.  In 2 Nephi 9:51 we read, "Wherefore, do not spend money for that which is of no worth, nor your labor for that which cannot satisfy. Hearken diligently unto me, and remember the words which I have spoken; and come unto the Holy One of Israel, and feast upon that which perisheth not, neither can be corrupted, and let your soul delight in fatness."

In the end, we are to heed the true Gospel during our entrepreneurial journey, and our good works will be judged by Heavenly Father.

Week 4 (October 5, 2020)

This week we learned about ways in which we will we measure our lives.  In a talk by Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin, "Little Things Are Important," he stated it is not so much about managing time but managing ourselves with the time we have.  When I studied time management, a specific insight I had was everyone has the same 24 hours per day.  Combining these two thoughts, managing ourselves within the 24 hours we are given each day, makes a lot of sense.  So, what does it mean to manage ourselves?