6. Extraordinarily Meaningful

 I've been asking myself, "Do I really want to be an entrepreneur?" Does the entrepreneurial approach really align well with my long-term goal? Of course it can. I can take my career in many directions, all of which are good. There are many desires that I have that are worthy desires. But the perplexity is over whether I want to work as an employee for another company or start my own company and be my own boss. I know some of the great things I want to do; the obstacle that I feel is causing me some anxiety is not yet knowing who to work with. 

With my desire to be a seminary or institute teacher, do I need to pursue setting up my own business? Or am I looking to increase my set of skills for my brothers' businesses? Of course I want to see their businesses succeed, but should I invest fully, rather than volunteering to help periodically? These are questions I will continue to ponder on, and either way, I will increase my knowledge in both these areas. Improving myself, growing in character and skill, and knowing how to start and run a business not only will enable me to do so, but it will also make me a more valuable contributor in whatever business or organization I work for. 

There are many things that I'm learning. much of what I am learning is not necessarily novel information, but a deeper understanding of what I've learned before, a different perspective on the same subjects, and a more complete view of the matter. 

It's also important to note that learning doesn't necessarily just come from reading about, or being told about it, but in doing it. Like Jesus taught, "If any man will do my will, he will know of the doctrine..." Learning comes from applying the information and acting upon it. This is an integral part of understanding things like self-mastery and becoming the person I want to become, overcoming obstacles, and gaining new skills and improving my character. Being an entrepreneur is less about what I do, and more about who I am. What I do and who I am are intertwined and interdependent, because what I do in part shapes who I am, and who I am determines what I do. But identity comes first, and the end goal of being must be understood and desired before meaningful action can take place. Also, there are times when action comes before understanding, but this occurs more in the short-term. The Spirit of revelation, therefore, is essential for long-term or eternal progression.

One principle that was prominent to me this week as that of loyalty to God and family. I have always held this high as a value, but this week, I am determining application that is more relevant to my present circumstances and planning for how I can always stay loyal to the Lord and to my family in the future. You schedule what you value, and you value what you schedule. If I value the Lord, I will put time to serve and worship on the schedule. If I value my family, I will put family time on the schedule. I can't schedule other things, and try to fill the cracks with what I say are the most important things. I have to schedule the most important things and fill in the cracks with other things. All things must be in their proper order. 

Reading Mastery, by George Leonard has also given me some great insights. Thus far, the overarching theme is practice, and loving to practice. As an artist, I understand this. It is enjoyable to draw and to design, whether I plan to compare my artwork to anyone else's, or whether I plan to sell my designs. I enjoy it, and I practice. As I practice, the better I get, and the better I get, the more I enjoy it. 

It is also important to know that life is not all about constant excitement. If that is the expectation, then most of life will be a boring disappointment. However, steady improvement, hard work, even in the humdrum of every-day life when it seems that nothing is getting done, the inner work is getting done. If you can enjoy the path itself, not just the desired end, even these ordinary times can be extraordinarily meaningful.