How Will You Measure Your Life?

This week's readings have been great! I had some insightful moments as I was reading and watching the homework. I was pondering on what kind of life I wanted to live. I am grateful that I am learning this in this class. I think it helps us students really ponder what we want out of life and what is most important. Here are the things that stood out to me the most.

1. "How Will You Measure Your Life" By Clayton M. Christensen

In this article, Christensen gives three questions that refer to life and how to live it. "First, how can I be sure that I’ll be happy in my career? Second, how can I be sure that my relationships with my spouse and my family become an enduring source of happiness? Third, how can I be sure I’ll stay out of jail?"

That made me think a bit. I know that when we are at the end of life and look back on the life we led, what is most important? I know that most people will think back on their family relationships and some will be sorry and some will be grateful. Those who are sorry are usually the ones who wish they spent more time with their family and not so much in the office. They are the ones who missed birthdays, games, performances, etc. Or, they led their life in dishonest ways. Those who are grateful are the ones who did the opposite. They kept their integrity and had a good family/work life. 

2. "Little Things Are Important" By Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin

Elder Wirthlin said in this talk, "I believe that the little things are very important in our relationship with ourselves, in our relationship with others, and in our relationship with God."

It goes off of what Christensen said. It is more important to have good relationships with our families, our friends, those we work with, those we come in contact with, and most especially our God. He will never lead you astray from the things that are good and right. 

In this talk he talks about the little things in relation to ourselves, others, and God. Making sure that we take care of ourselves so that we can live a happy and full life without us adding to health issues in the future. Thinking of others and serving them will get us out of our own sorrows because the focus is now on helping others. 

When he added, "But soon those little steps repeat themselves in an ever-descending pattern until one is at a far-lower level than ever imagined." made me think of doing things to the best of our ability and keep our morals all the time. Christensen said that "it’s easier to hold to your principles 100% of the time than it is to hold to them 98% of the time." I think that is why I am such a stick in the mud to some people. I am a rule follower. I want to follow the rules because I don't want to get into trouble. I have thought about this for a couple weeks now and I think of people saying that it's hard to come back to church or to start paying tithing or whatever it is. A thought came to me and that was it's hard because you stopped. It is so much easier to follow the rules and do what is right all the time. The moment we start fudging the rules we feel that we can do it again. It's like that object lesson where someone makes brownies and only puts a little bit of poop in it. It's only a little bit! 98% good! That is a good lesson to think about.

3. "Do What You Love" By Tom Kelley

Quoting Francis Ford Coppola “Do what you love. You’ll be better at it” Kelley shows three circles which have "Good At", "Born To Do", and "Pay you to Do". He said that just because you are good at something doesn't mean you will be happy in a profession. If you figure out what makes you most happy, that is what you were born to do. Also, looking at if you can make money off of it. Then if all three work out then you will be happier in your profession. The only set-back is if you don't get along with the people you work with. If you can get all four then you are good. It makes me look at my life and how I can apply what I do to those circles. I feel I am happy with my choices!

4. Acton Hero Sharon Mays

The thing that stood out to me was her just taking a dream that took her forever to do and just doing it. She says, "The only person that holds you back, really, is you." I feel that is what holds me back on so many things. I realized that I am someone who has a hard time getting started or doing something for the first time. I have to take that quote and tell myself to just do it. I'm allowed to mistakes in my business (not ethical ones) along the way and to learn from them. 

I look forward to not holding myself back. I want to embrace the uncomfortable. I think that part of that includes my time management with everything. I need to make sure I spend time on the things that I love and business. If I don't do anything then nothing has happened. 

I look forward to really figuring out what I was born to do even though I basically know. It's just doing it now.