Journal Entry Lesson 3

This week I realized that I can still be creative. It feels like if my mind had been numb for a while and now it is stretching and working hard again.

My wife has an idea for a company she would like to create in the future. As we were talking about it, I gave her some advise based on what I have learned by reading ‘’The Lean Startup’’ (by Eric Ries) and how I think she could test her idea, turn it into a business and make it scalable. I was very surprised that I was able to come up with those ideas after struggling so much last week trying to come up with business ideas for my $100 project.

As I went over this week’s material, I was especially moved by President’s Hinckley testimony in the dedication of the building that bears his name.  It was an invitation to me to be more faithful and trust that the Lord can help me with the challenges I face.

I have a few ideas chosen for the $100 project but, most importantly, I feel a new determination to make a real effort to make it work and learn from it.

I am also paying more attention the problems I find every day and I’m writing them down. I think that if I do this consistently for the rest of my life, I will become more creative and maybe I will find a business opportunity that I can take advantage of.

Acton Hero: Tom Monaghan

Tom Monaghan was raised in an orphanage. From humble beginnings, he turned DomiNick’s Pizza into the world famous Domino’s Pizza building a revolutionary business around pizza delivery. As he became richer and successful, he became obsessed with ‘’toys’’ and impressing others with his success and the things his money could buy.

One day, when he was reading a book written by C.S Lewis, he realized that he wasn’t living his principles and that something had to change in his life. His priorities changed and he sold the company. From then on he has dedicated his life to help others through education. He uses his money to as much good as he can.

I can see how sometimes I focus too much on my desire to be successful, even to the point of wanting to compare myself to others. That is not correct, and doesn’t lead to true happiness. Tom Monaghan is an example of a person who was brave enough to realize that he was doing wrong and change his course in order to be truly happy.