W5: Skill, Character, or Luck? - A Hero's Journey

For week 5 we were asked to watch a BYU-Idaho speech entitled, "A Hero's Journey." In this speech, he talks about our own individual missions and how important and essential they can be. A few things that stood out to me was how you live your life, the importance of selecting great role models, and the need for boundaries.

The speaker suggested that you are to "live every moment of your life like it matters because it does." We each have important missions to fulfill and the quicker we discover it the sooner we can work on ourselves and making the world a better place. He also suggested that when we face our struggles, we are to look at them as an adventure, and when there are setbacks to see them as lessons. Take the negative and make it into a positive. Don't get defeated by everything that comes across your path, hardships are for the benefit of our good.

There is power in extraordinary people. On this journey, it is important to find great role models and to ask great questions. He talked about an experience in a classroom where he had students write down about 10 people both of business relations and/or spiritual leaders who inspired them. This helps you to focus on those that can help you pursue your entrepreneurial journey. It’s important to pick people who can help you and give you the right guidance and support. The speaker suggested that you ask about five people what you do best than anyone in the world? This can set you on the path to discovery of what your calling may be. Choose your fellow travelers well.

The third thing that stood out to me was the importance of creating boundaries. On this path, write down a list of all your “I will not’s” of boundaries that you will not cross under any circumstances. There will be times on this entrepreneurial journey that you will hit road bumps and may even step across the boundary of your “I will not’s.” When you do cross these boundaries it’s important to recognize it as a signal to pause and reflect before you cut down that slippery slope. With each, “I will not,” write a letter and put it in your top desk drawer. In your moments of temptation, you will have a better voice to rely on. This will help you contemplate what you are doing before you go further down that slope. Another word of caution that was suggested is making sure you set family as a priority.  There is a lot of precious moments that can be missed if work comes before them.

In conclusion, he says, “I’ll end with a very personal message, and each of you will have to make your own decision on this, but no matter what happens in my life from this point on, I know that I was never the master of my own destiny. So when that final day comes, like it will come for all of us, I pray I will not be standing full of pride believing that it was all about me, but on my knees, fully grateful, longing to hear those words so beautifully written in Matthew; ‘Well done, my good and faithful servant.’ Thank you, and God bless you.”

This video was beneficial. It gave me some good ideas on what I need to be doing on this journey. We are to live joyfully, and one way to do that is to discover our talents and our passions. These can lead us to our greatest successes. We also must find the right people to travel with, set necessary boundaries, and prioritize our time.