Ent-Rupp-preneur Journal

"Finishers Wanted" My wife says I have "Executive Function Disorder". If I'm being honest, that sounds like it could well be a real thing, but I have not looked it up. I think, maybe, because I fear I'll read the description discover it accurately describes me and a weakness I have. Nonetheless, I do often fail to finish. I often get things about 90% done, but I lost steam, or interest. But at the root of it, I think maybe it's a fear of failure. If I don't finish, then it's self fulfilling prophecy and it's easier to write it off as a failure, than to do my best and still fail. I do, however, make conscious efforts to follow through with projects and activities where I have commited. I struggle with organization and with follow through when I have a lot on my plate. I bring this up because part of my life plan is focusing on becoming more organized. I have identified that this area does not come naturally to me. When I am in a position wh...

When I look at this week's lesson I am reminded of spiritual gifts. I know the scriptures don't specifically outline "to one is given the ability to create and develop functional, long term business relationships" but there are personalities that inherently lend themselves to just this. But just as the parable of the talents, they must be developed and fostered. Not only does this take effort, but more importantly I think is the awareness to know what you are capable of and incapable of. Finding those to work with you that fill your voids, that complement your weaknesses, and that help push you in the right direction, is key to maintaining and fostering these relationships. I don't think it's a coincedence that we all have to depend on at least someone in this life. We need to have good people on our side, in our corner, offering advice, providing support in ways only they can, in order for our external efforts in business, networking, and finding and creatin...

Workplace culture insights: This "journey" of going back to school to finish my undergrad has both helped me put concepts and ideas from my mind into words, as well as inspired me and given me a good deal of direction in how I see business in all its facets. This week's lesson had a number of thoughts that confirmed my beliefs and that also inspired me to see things through new, improved lenses.  I think the lesson that most inspired me was that all human beings are endowed with unlimited potential. This concept made me peel back the layers of self doubt and nay-sayers I have had to overcome, as well as the circumstances surrounding my upbringing that crafted, for better or for worse, my view of myself and my potential (or lack thereof). My inner ear, the ear that dictates how I view myself, and the standard to which I hold myself, has been 43 years in the making. Never, ever, have I thought that all my life circumstances, experiences, and choices have led to how...

I recently recieved a surprise phone call from one of the most influential mentors I had during my teenage years. His name is John Peek and he was a member of my home ward in Wrightwood California. He was also the head of the Spanish Department at my high school and someone who cared deeply for the youth of the ward and his students. In our phone conversation that Sunday afternoon we talked about my current employment and some potential options I will have available in the next few months. He paused for a second and then told me that if he could go back and change anything in his life as a parent, it would be to have a better work/life balance where he spent more time with his family. He became a High School principal after I left for my mission and his passion for helping under-priveleged and troubled children, although supremely honorable, had left a void in the lives of some of his kids that he can never go back and fix. That advice resonated with me and caused me to do some think...