Be or not be an entrepreneur?

During these fourteen weeks from begin my study about entrepreneurship, maybe the question that more came in my mind was – Will I be able to be a success entrepreneur? I believe that many of us, in some moment, ask himself if will be able to be a success entrepreneur – my answer is:

YES! We can!

Exist some obstacles that we need to surpass, and I choose three to talk about.

First, the most enemy that we have is the fear, fear of to fail, fear of choose wrong. Certainly, we will have difficult moments and sometimes we will wrong but, this wrong isn’t the end. A wise man said that we need to learn with our wrong and the other’s wrongs.

In Brazil we have a popular saying: When you fall down, raise and shake the dust and go ahead.

When something is wrong, learn whit it.

Second, make a point to reach. The objective or goal is a part needed in our journey like an entrepreneur.  Jesus Christ said - “Can a blind man lead a blind man? Will they not both fall into a pit?” and the answer is – Yes but, where will they go?  The process of establish a vision is a crucial part for a success.

A business without vision, certainly has more chance of fail.

Third, Rejoice in the journey. Will exist many moments with ups and downs and we need to learn to enjoy the journey. Dieter F. Uchtdorf talked about of an experience with his wife, he said:

“My wife, Harriet, and I love riding our bicycles. It is wonderful to get out and enjoy the beauties of nature. We have certain routes we like to bike, but we don’t pay too much attention to how far we go or how fast we travel in comparison with other riders.

However, occasionally I think we should be a bit more competitive. I even think we could get a better time or ride at a higher speed if only we pushed ourselves a little more. And then sometimes I even make the big mistake of mentioning this idea to my wonderful wife.

Her typical reaction to my suggestions of this nature is always very kind, very clear, and very direct. She smiles and says, “Dieter, it’s not a race; it’s a journey. Enjoy the moment.”

How right she is!

Sometimes in life we become so focused on the finish line that we fail to find joy in the journey. I don’t go cycling with my wife because I’m excited about finishing. I go because the experience of being with her is sweet and enjoyable.”

So, rejoice in the journey.

Partnership

During our journey like an entrepreneur will arrive a time where we need choose a partner, maybe because the business started to increase and the things not can be by himself.

I think that one of things more difficult for an entrepreneur is choose a partner. Many partnership start well but, exist much more finish because the problem between the partner. When we choose the partner, we need pay attention in our choice, because it will be a new marriage and the relationship between partner shall reflect in all aspect in the business.

I suggest bellow three tips where we need think when we will choose the partner.

First, we have more success when our partner is a person that we know. Just like in marriage, we need to know whom will work and live with us. We can more success when work somebody that we know and we have a friendship, but is not a trust absolute and, because this we need of others tips.

Second, small partnership help us to know how the partner really is. In Brazil we have a small saying – If you want to know the personality of a man, you need see him in the football field. The small partnership is a great opportunity for choose the partner.

Third and last, seek a partner by the qualities that you need to develop and that will help in the improve of business.

The partnership is created when my strong skills are join with strong skills of my partner, for create something bigger.

MEASURING THE COST

When we start like a entrepreneur many cost came for our mind - cost for buy, cost for sell, cost of maintenance, cost of transportation and many others but, sometimes we may forget to evaluate the cost paid by our family (wife and kids).

This week I share a video of The Kauffman Founders School with Mega Cadoux Hirshberg: Surviving the Entrepreneurial Life: Work and Family.  

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-zg-0JhfGgk

ABOUT THE KAUFFMAN FOUNDERS SCHOOL
Visit the website: [http://bit.ly/1EW2br7]

Meg Cadoux Hirshberg knows firsthand work-life balance may be a challenge, but argues you can take steps to lead a life that’s fulfilling on both fronts. 

In this video we can learn how answer the follow question:

• How to make time for children?
• How to find a work/life balance with family? and,
• How to limit smart phone use?

Sometimes, during the weekend I was with my wife at movie theater and frequently I answered the calls of work or my called of the church that I attend, and my wife a day said - You need to stop of answer the calls, it is my time, my moment.

I knew that she was right. We had determined that time for us, my wife and I, and I was including other persons in our time.

If we do not know balance our time, we can pay a high cost, our family - wife and kids.

Gordon B. Hinckley taught us that we have a fourfold responsibility. He said: 

“Each of us has a fourfold responsibility. 

• First, we have a responsibility to our families. 
• Second, we have a responsibility to our employers. 
• Third, we have a responsibility to the Lord’s work. 
• Fourth, we have a responsibility to ourselves.” 

“It is imperative that you not neglect your families. Nothing you have is more precious.”

Mentors - the experience of the oldest

"(...) but rather give thanks unto God that he hath made manifest unto you our imperfections, that ye may learn to be more wise than we have been." 

 About A.D. 401–421, a wise man called Moroni, said this great true about this necessity of learn by experiences of others. This week I would like to share my experience in an interview with an entrepreneur, that for me is a example and a mentor.

His name is Eufrasio Francisco Barbosa, his company started when he had 30 years-old. He had married and was starting his family. Was a great interview and somethings were very important and touched my heart

Asking about the lessons that learned during his entrepreneur life, his highlight the following:

• You need be the first arrive in the company and be the last to leave the company. Start one business, not mean that you can relax and arrive later because, you are the boss, contrariwise, this is the motive that you need arrive yearly.
• The eyes of the owner is what fattens the cattle. Some times, I observed that some employers decrease the production when I not was in the company and, when I was the production increase, still that we have good and reliable employers, is necessary that all see the our presence.
• Involve the family in the most important decision. Be an entrepreneur is a hard work that requires long time and many hours of dedication, and this may be a puzzle in the relationship between family. The most important decisions need to be take as family.

At the end he give me these advice: 

1. Pay the tenth! You not can achieve the success if don't have God in the first place and like your partner.
2. Work hard. The business world is cruel and not will have mercy of you.
3. Keep learn. We can always learn, learn by books, learn by other's example, by own experience. 
4. Don't give up! If you fall, get up.
5. Keep your words. If you promised anything to comply. Your word is your integrity.

Exist a big difference between our age, maybe we can know more about the technological things, but never, and repeat, never, we can forget the experience of the oldest.

I believe that these advice are for my increase and development, principally, because this man is my father.

The Most Enemy of Great

This week I share a quote of Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap... and Others Don't is a management book by Jim C. Collins. 
Jim Collins brilliantly highlights the danger of good, or in other words, of accommodation of achieve the good things, while we could achieve the great things.
He said:
“Good is the enemy of great. And that is one of the key reasons why we have so little that becomes great. We don’t have great schools, principally because we have good schools. We don’t have great government, principally because we have good government. Few people attain great lives, in large part because it is just so easy to settle for a good life. The vast majority of companies never become great, precisely because the vast majority have become quite good – and that is their main problem. That good is the enemy of great is not just a business problem. It is a human problem. If we have cracked the code on the question of good to great, we should have something of value to any type of organization. Good schools might become great schools. Good newspapers might become great newspapers. Good churches might become great churches. Good government agencies might become great agencies. And good companies might become great companies.”

Our goal not is achieve the good results or good things, our goal must be achieve the great! We were created not to be only persons, we are created to be great persons. Think big, think great!

REST

This week my subject is: Rest.
Exactly, rest. Many times, we think that we are supermen, because we have desire and effort for create a new business. In some days ago, I wrote about the necessity of hard work and organize the time for all things. This week I feel that in this journey, we need to learn to rest.
In his book, A Field Guide for the Hero's Journey, by Jeff Sandefer and Robert A. Sirico, dedicated a chapter only for Rest.
In chapter 7, we found:

" Without rest, as we press on, day after day, striving and working, we become frazzled. We think less clearly, we make poor decisions; we snap at loved ones. The old saying is true - All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.
Our senses become dull, our mind and bodies worn down, by constant hard work unleavened by appropriate leisure. Rest means getting sufficient sleep, but it also means allowing yourself periods of down time, times when you are awake but your brain is allowed to be "off line". (...) And, when you return to your work, you will find that problems often will be easily resolved now that your mind and creativity have been refreshed."

 Remember, that we need work perfectly and constantly, but if our body don't have rest, our mind will be fault.
Leonard da Vinci said: "Every now and then go away, have a little relaxation, for when you come back to your work your judgment will be surer".
All people are different, and because this, each one need to find your manner to relax and rest. For me, I love listen music and watch movies and, sleep! Of course! Discover yourself what the best manner for rest and relax.

The Habits

We can define a habit as the combination of knowledge, skill and desire, in other words, a combination among the what to do and, how to do it and, the motivation to do it.

Stephen R Covey, co-founder and co-chairman of Franklin Covey Company, in her book - The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, describe seven habits that are most important in the life of everyone: 

#1 - Be proactive

#2 - Begin with the end in mind

#3 - Put First things first

#4 - Think win/win

#5 - Seek first to understand then to be understood

#6 - Synergize

#7 - Sharpen the saw

The first time that I did read this book was when my father call me for work with he in his company, after this I understand that each one this habits are essential for an entrepreneur and for the business success. But, a habit it stands - be proactive.

In any moment of our existence, we were in a situation where we hope for some order - to do homework, to prepare a report, or make a call for a costumer. In this world exist two kind of people, people that hope an order for doing something and the people that don't hope, that is, a that react and others that act.

Be proactive it means that I will have initiative, because any success will come to those who wait sitting. Remember, we are the masters of our destiny.

Stephen said: If you're proactive, you don't have to wait for circumstances or other people to create perspective expanding experiences. You can consciously create your own.

We are a product of our decisions!

Equilibrium

My intention is call the attention for necessity to balance our time, reserving time for wife, children, and work.
When we willing to create a new business, many things come our head and we see that in this journey we will have that work a lot and spend a lot of time.
Really, we need spend more time and hard work, because is our son, our dream and our realization. And in some case, the work journey is very long, maybe 50 - 60 hours per week. All this efforts have an objective, provide a better condition for family.
Gordon B. Hinckley a prominent leader of The Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter-Day Saints said:

“Each of us has a fourfold responsibility. First, we have a responsibility to our families. Second, we have a responsibility to our employers. Third, we have a responsibility to the Lord’s work. Fourth, we have a responsibility to ourselves.

First, it is imperative that you not neglect your families. Nothing you have is more precious. Your wives and your children are deserving of the attention of their husbands and fathers. When all is said and done, it is this family relationship which we will take with us into the life beyond. To paraphrase the words of scripture, ‘What shall it profit a man though he serve the Church faithfully and lose his own family?’"

Steve Blank, Serial Entrepreneur, in November 11, 2009, said about the father role:
"But if you do get married and have relationships, particularly if you have kids, we actually set some rules in our family that were quite helpful. And I think our kids appreciated it and I think made a better family.
This is URL of video where he said.
http://ecorner.stanford.edu/videos/2326/The-Entrepreneur-and-the-Family

So, the we need remember always - time for family and time for work.

Creating a Life of Meaning

Hi everyone,
The last two weeks was amazing. I had the opportunity to read a book - The Ministry of Business  by Steven A. Hitz and James W. Ritchie. This book is incredible, it have a simply language and of easy to understand. With many advice and suggestions to increase and grow in our entrepreneurial journey.
But this week I will share a video of Jeff Sandefer - Creating a Life of Meaning, when he speaks at BYU Idaho, on January 20, 2011.

Jeff Sandefer "Creating a Life of Meaning"

In his speech, Sanders share us some insights of how we can build a hero's journey.
When beginning our journey we would need understand that this journey is not easy journey but, we need faith and courage during every day. Each moment this journey need to be lived with purpose and the purpose has that have matter.
Sometimes, we are tempted a think which we are nothing and all things that we doing not change nothing. It's wrong! We can live in this earth and we can change our live and influence the people around us. This change begin when we began learn. We need learn, not only because the money but, because we need change our life.
Are 22 minutes of reflection and planning. I can not to summarize, you need listen and make notes!
The journey of hero is a journey of change for the hero, we need change, because we will go learn and when we learn, always we see that we need improve. We can become a good people, because God trust us! God believe in us!
Enjoy our entrepreneurial journey!

Do you know Magdalena Yesil?

This week I had a great opportunity of read about Magdalena Yesil. Do you know how are Magdalena Yesil?
Below we can find her bio:
Magdalena Yesil - biography

When I was reading the case of Magdalena Yesil, I thought how this woman was persistent and has courage and force for overcome the challenges to reach her dreams.

She show me three most important tools for achieve our goal.

1. We need have a vision what we want achieve.

Magdalena knows clearly what wants and because this, she could draw, step by step, what would need to do for achieve her goals. She seeks learning English though the International Girl’s School and she saw that was necessary go to college in the United States, but she would need be accept at school.

So, again, she saw that would need be approved, started use the materials for SAT test, and so she was step by step, achieve and winning and building her success.

If we don’t have a clearly vision of where we want to go, difficultly we can achieve our goal and objectives, and a way for achieve each goal is, we need divide the principal goal in various small goals.

2. The way to achieve the goal is hard.

Other aspect that drew my attention was the persistence in achieve all goal. If anything was difficult for realize, Magdalene seek resources and people for help her.

Anyone can achieve goal alone, the team work is the fuel for build great things.

3. The Family

The aspect that more drew attention – she has time for her family. Without our family any success will have value, any professional or academic success will compensate the failure in watch children activities or participate of family activities.

This week stay for me develop the vision, persevere and has time for family. 

Today, I have a opportunity of read some articles about the entrepreneurism and between them the words of Jeff Sandefer, in Living Life as an Entrepreneurial Hero, teach me that the life of an entrepreneurial isn't easier than a normal life, but it's more difficult. However, we can had success, if we development some attributes and establish goals that will guide us.
Jeff Sandefer suggests two thinks for started our way for development of entrepreneurial hero inside us: Dream big and all journeys begin with a first step.
Dream big, is a part important this journey, all person that today we had like idol or example of businessman start with a big vision that they could to do.
After dream, we need act! Lehi, a important man that lived 580 B.C said: "(...) for there is a God, and he hath created all things, both the heavens and the earth, and all things that in them are, both things to act and things to be acted upon." All entrepreneurial hero know that we need act, that the things only happiness if someone doing something.
In our way for develop us how entrepreneur, we will have many challenges. Jeff Sandefer said that four of the hardest challenges we will have to are: Accept that life is hard; We need develop the habit of persevere; Understand that we will have control of all things; and the journey is hard and good partners and companions make more enjoyed the journey.
See you later.

Day #1
A new journey is will start. During the next weeks I will share the some thoughts and feelings about my entrepreneur's journey. First challenge: learn how create and maintain a blog.