Shall I Finish?

• If you had one final lecture to share with a group of students on what you have learned from this course, what would you share?

I'd share that why we do things is much more important than how. There's nothing inherently wrong with pursuing financial success, but how we plan to use it once we've achieved it is what will determine our final goal or not. I was impressed with the video this week on Tom Monaghan. I found it interesting that he turned his whole life around because of one chapter in a book! Talk about small hinges. He'd devoted himself to the pursuit of money and success, then gave it all away to help others. While he may have gone off track for awhile (we're only human, after all!), because he'd built up that empire, he was able to immensely help others from making the same mistakes he did. If our ultimate prize is to return to live with our Heavenly Father, then we need to plan how we're going to help others once we've achieved that success. 

• What would be your last bit of advice to someone wanting to begin the entrepreneur journey?

My last bit of advice would be: just start: It's all good and fine to think about how your life will be, or what kind of person you'll be, at the end of the race. But if you never start the race, you'll never get to the end! Accept the fact that you're going to fail, and start the dang race.

• What words of advice, direction, or caution would you give him or her if you had only one chance to give your own last lecture?

For my own last lecture, I think I would bear a simple testimony. I'd tell them about my faith in Christ, and how when we devote ourselves to service, both to Him and those around us, then we'll be able to keep our eyes and hearts on building up the Kingdom of God. I'll tell them about how they're going to feel lost, alone, and floundering, completely unsure if what they're doing is making a difference, or will even bring them the financial success they're striving for. I'll tell them that the only way they can fight their way through the darkness is by getting down on their knees and praying for guidance. I'll tell them that they WILL fail. Failure is a part of life just like it is in business, and we can't expect perfection in any area of our life. I'll tell them that we can change our minds and pivot in business matters, but our faith and devotion to following Christ must always come first. I'll tell them that they're loved, that they're seen and that they have help on their journey if they simply have the courage to ask for it. 

Quotes from Thomas S. Monson's "The Finisher"

-“Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?”

Jesus answered him: “If thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.

“He saith unto him, Which?”

To Jesus’ enumeration of the commandments, the young man replied, “All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet?

“Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, … and come and follow me.

“But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions.” (Matt. 19:16–18, 20–22.)

-Paul, at the conclusion of his ministry, could say: “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith.” (2 Tim. 4:7.)

-Times change and circumstances vary, but the true marks of a finisher remain. Note them well, for they are vital to our success.

1. The Mark of Vision. It has been said that the door of history turns on small hinges, and so do people’s lives. We are constantly making small decisions. The outcome determines the success or failure of our lives. That is why it is worthwhile to look ahead, to set a course, and at least be partly ready when the moment of decision comes. True finishers have the capacity to visualize their objective.
2.  The Mark of Effort. Vision without effort is daydreaming; effort without vision is drudgery; but vision, coupled with effort, will obtain the prize.

Needed is the capacity to make that second effort when life’s challenges lay us low.

Stick to your task ’til it sticks to you;

Beginners are many, but enders are few.

Honor, power, place and praise

Will always come to the one who stays. Stick to your task ’til it sticks to you;

Bend at it, sweat at it, smile at it, too;

For out of the bend and the sweat and the smile

Will come life’s victories after a while.

—Author Unknown

3. The Mark of Faith. Many years ago the psalmist wrote: “It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man. It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in princes.” (Ps. 118:8–9.) Recognize that faith and doubt cannot exist in the same mind at the same time, for one will dispel the other.

4. The Mark of Virtue. “Let virtue garnish thy thoughts unceasingly.” (D&C 121:45.) This counsel from the Lord will provide staying power in the race we run.

5. The Mark of Courage. Have the courage—

To dream the impossible dream,

To fight the unbeatable foe,

To bear with unbearable sorrow,

To run where the brave dare not go.

To right the unrightable wrong,

To love, pure and chaste from afar,

To try, when your arms are too weary,

To reach the unreachable star!*

And you will thus become a finisher.

6. The Mark of Prayer. When the burdens of life become heavy, when trials test one’s faith, when pain, sorrow, and despair cause the light of hope to flicker and burn low, communication with our Heavenly Father provides peace.