Notes - book report
Introduction paragraph
“Happiness is the meaning and the purpose of life, the whole aim and end of human existence.”
· Aristotle
Experiential Credibility
Always remember, Heavenly father and Jesus Christ are here with you to enhance your professional career, to help you plan and set life goals effectively, or to become a successful entrepreneur. A small percentage of business owners are actually successful in building an enterprise and successfully crossing the finish line. We, including a broad network of devoted partners and colleagues built a business from scratch. We currently have over 1,000 associates and deliver service in all 50 states. The ideas in this book are adaptations of correct principles learned from mentors, business people, authors, and associates. Principles of truth may be applied to anyone’s life, regardless of religion, belief system, or the words we use to describe them. True fulfillment in life is found in two ways: recognizing our divine natures and fulfilling the purpose of our being. First we have inherent worth as children of God, we are intimately connected to Deity. There is more to life, unlimited potential and great reasons for living. There is a purpose in our living, the sooner we realize this the better off we, and the rest of humanity will be.
1st paragraph – find a heading (have faith to act urgently) (divine guidance in business)
“Don’t let the noise of others’ opinions drown out your inner voice. And most important, Have the courage to follow your heart and intuition…. Everything else is secondary.” –Steve Jobs
Your life is watched over by an all-powerful and all-loving God who has a plan for you and for all people. Small pieces of this plan will be reveal to you through personal spiritual promptings that will help you make a particular decision, talk to a specific person, or to take action in your life. Following your heart to understand that divine inspiration is given to help guide your life down the unique pathway that God has laid out for you. It is crucial because it provides the fundamental understanding that as long as you follow your heart, giving heed to those moments of inspiration and live according to your moral code, you will be blessed with greater guidance and success. It will not make your life easier but it will provide a sense of confidence and security that will benefit as you achieve your goals. The purpose of this book is to provide you with hope and happiness. The principles will serve as a bridge carrying you across with failure and unhappiness to your promised land of personal success and happiness.
2nd paragraph – The bridge to success (the power of Covenants)
Covenant has several meanings, it may be an agreement (usually formal) between two or more people stipulating a specific action, and any associated consequences. From a religious perspective, it is an agreement between the members of the church to act together in living and maintaining a particular belief system. Biblically speaking, a covenant is a conditional promise made between humanity and God. God fixes the terms of the agreement and individuals use their free will to either accept or reject them. People of faith have consistently been taught if they live faithfully according to the principles and laws of God they will receive blessings for their obedience. For example, if we obey the commandment to have no other Gods before the true God of Heaven, we won’t have room in our spiritual lives to allow the obsessive worship of money or any other worldly thing. The blessing of keeping this commandment to have no other god before God helps us avoid greed and self-centeredness. As we follow the blessing of this obedience, we gain increased faith in the efficacy of faithful and obedient living. When a person chooses to enter into a covenant, he or she accepts God’s terms. After you enter into this covenant with God you are responsible for how well you live according to the morals, values, and spiritual knowledge available to you. You will be blessed if you follow his teachings.
- your inner voice of divine inspiration and guidance can speak to you only when you live your covenants.
- Obeying God and living according to your moral code is the way to uphold and honor your covenants with God
- Trust in God. When we make and keep covenants with Him, He will fight our battles and guide us with increased inspiration.
- Remember: One plus God is enough!
3rd paragraph –Beware the double life
“No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and Mammon.” –Matthew 6:24
It is common to talk about leaving our work at work and keep our personal lives at home. The general and fundamental attitude is that our business lives and our personal lives are two separate parts of who we are and we should keep them separate of one another and the belief that these two lives will never meet or affect each other. This is a deceiving idea, and failing to understand that who we are at work and who we are at home are deeply interconnected. Striving to be consistent in the way you make decisions and the type of person you are will become a significant benefit to you in your business ventures. The principles of professionalism, courtesy, and respect are critical values when practiced in different settings. We try to establish a “community of associates,” and we talk about “taking the high road” of ethical integrity in our business lives. But, at home we focus on the same values we just talk about them differently. We focus on being a” good neighbor” or “becoming a nurturing parent.” We find ways to take part in “community service projects” In all these endeavors the focus is the same. Love thy neighbor as thy self applies equally to business associates, family members, friends, acquaintances, and strangers. Our actions should be guided with integrity in our business and our home lives. It is crucial to decide what kind of person you want to become as an entrepreneur. Your relationship with God and the power of making and keeping covenants with Him should help define you as a person to strive to become that person everywhere you are. It is impossible to separate business life from personal life, it is important to recognize the need for cooperation between your business ventures and your family. Allowing your spouse to become your entrepreneurial teammate is key to pursuing your goals and dreams. It is critical that both members of a relationship are given equal opportunities to speak, make suggestions, and contribute. We all have the need for recognition, appreciation, and respect. It is not necessary for your spouse to be legally recognized if it works you and your business. You need to talk to each other about what’s going on with your work because you will find that your spouse is an invaluable teammate providing consistent support and encouragement. A lack of trust between partners eventually leads to failure.
Paragraph 4 – The Formula and Happiness
“controlling your life means controlling your time. By mastering this, you will have taken complete control of your own destiny, and you will have a right to this magnificent thing that no one can take away from you called inner peace.” - Hyrum W Smith (18)
James Ritchie says the formula for success is that these three habits are necessary for achieving “private Victory.”
1. Be proactive
2. Begin with the end in mind
3. Have a plan and then execute the plan
Through our private victories we will learn to trust ourselves, control our minds, emotions, and appetites. We will gain confidence that we are capable of accomplishing great things in this world.
After achieving Private victories, it is essential to achieve “Public Victory:”
1. Think Win/Win
2. Seek to understand and then seek to be understood. (empathetic listening)
3. Create Synergy
Public victories occur when we demonstrate to the world that we are worthy of their trust. This type of trust translates into revenues and profits. Private Victories prepare us to trust ourselves before we can expect the public to trust us. These three components will point any person toward individual success and lasting happiness:
1. Get your education
2. Make your mark
3. Get prepared to be of service
Learning as much as you possibly can you will begin winning the private victories of knowledge, organization, preparedness, and confidence. Making your mark in the world motivates you to become self-reliant, and self-reliance spawn’s self-confidence. Self-confidence will help you reach out to others in need and you will find true happiness and inner peace. Once you have experienced the joys of service you will discover yourself, focusing more on working to make the world around you better which will lead you to great happiness. The plan gets even better if you follow this six-step formula for happiness and success:
1. Get up early
2. Work hard
3. Get your education
4. Find your oil (product, idea, or service)
5. Make your mark
6. Get prepared to be of service
Paragraph 5 – The value of strong mentors
“Mankind was my business. The dealings of my trade were but a drop of water in the comprehensive ocean of my business.” - Charles Dickens
Choose your business partner very carefully. Do not choose someone because you are afraid of the unknown pick them because they are complimentary to you. Seek out and adopt Mentors including parents, teachers, tutors, friends who sincerely care about us: church, community leaders. Listen to your mentors because their advice comes from their experiences they will help guide you away from pitfalls and help you reach your goals of financial and professional success. Mentors are powerful resources so choose a mentor carefully. A few tips on choosing a good mentor is thoughtfully and prayerfully ponder what type of mentor you need in your life. Think about someone who can help you overcome your challenges and reach your goals. Imagine your ideal mentor and then be watchful for people who may meet these ideals and who possess these attributes. Your potential Mentor will raise you to a higher ground and someone who takes interest in you personally and will be ready to adopt, lead, and guide you. Your mentor should not have a personal financial interest in your success; they should be willing to share their wisdom and knowledge out of sincere selfless desire for your betterment. You will not succeed on your own; all of your successes can be traced back to your mentor. Show them your gratitude and they will add balance and insight to your vision that will help you succeed.
6th paragraph – Financial Fitness
“Financial freedom is a part of the ground happy people stand on.” -James Christiansen
The first and most important principle of financial fitness is hard work. In the book of Genesis, God tells Adam and Eve they are to earn their keep “in the sweat of thy face”. The second principle of financial fitness is to pay yourself first at least 10% to comprise the independence account. Third, a part of all you earn is yours to keep. Put this in the Gold account, this money is to be saved until there is enough to begin investing in appreciating assets or other business opportunities. Financial independence is not about being rich; it’s about being self-reliant. Financial independence is a stepping-stone toward the greater goals of inner peace and serving others. Remember giving back generates the purest joys in life.
Conclusion paragraph
The principles found in this book are the cornerstones of your career as an entrepreneur. Your faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, your family, your business partner, and your mentor are the keys to your success. Treat them with respect and follow their advice and you will succeed in your endeavors.
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