First Week of Entrepreneurship Class!

I knew from an early age I couldn't work in a cubicle 8-5 doing the same task every day, out-performing and brown-nosing my way up the ladder, making some other guy rich. I knew I wanted to be an entrepreneur - I just couldn't spell it.

I started reading books that motivated me to pursue the path of working 80 hours a week so I don't have to work 40 hours a week. Books like:

I felt like I couldn't be more inspired... I just didn't know what MY "why" was, or how to actually start. Luckily, I just started B 183: Introduction to Entrepreneurship at BYU-Idaho. I'm keeping a personal journal of my journey to pursuing my dream of financial freedom, where I can not go to work one day, and still make money.

Here are my lessons I've learned from week 1 in my class:

1. God first
   
   I never want to let anything overtake my first priority. Having this mindset will help me bridle my passions as my business grows. I need to always be in a position where I can emotionally let it go. God may test me and give me an opportunity to choose my business or His will. By setting up a mental government of checks and balances, I can prevent my love of entrepreneurship from growing too big.
   
2. Dream big and forget the doubters
   
   Elon Musk, PT Barnum, Steve Jobs, Henry Ford, Larry Miller - all HUGE dreamers and world-changers. They have accomplished the impossible, some without any college degrees. If they subdued their dreams, what would be different? Dream big.
   
3. Find what you're better at than anyone else
   
   I have lots of different business ideas and I think, "Wouldn't it be nice if there was an app that did xyz" but I have no knowledge about it. What's important is to first start a business involving a skill I'm better at than anyone else, then later I can pursue other ventures (like Elon creating PayPal before SpaceX and Tesla).
   
   
   Use this graphic to help you find your niche.
   
   
4. Develop habits of highly successful people
   
   
5. Get a "stepping stone" job
   
   There's a lot of controversy on this entrepreneur's methods, but here's a nugget everyone agrees with:
   
   
   Get a job that will give you the skills and experience you need to help you start your career later, not just something to pay the bills.
   
6. Actually start!
   
   That is the hardest part right now for me; I'm overcome with analysis paralysis. A journey of 10,000 miles begins with a single step. Take things in bite-sized pieces and adjust the plan as you go.
   
7. Don't lose momentum once you start
   
   Self-explanitory
   
8. Embrace Failure
   
   It will be part of the journey. Learn from it.
   
9. Begin with the end in mind
   
   
   This doesn't just mean know what you'd like to accomplish with your business, but to avoid the big regrets many entrepreneurs have as they reach the end of their careers. Sacrifice time away from your business to spend more time with your family. Accomplish something meaningful. Be a good person throughout; practice god ethics - think about what will be said about you at your funeral.
   
10. Record everything you learn during your journey

As I make progress starting a business, I'll continue to use this table to be more aware and make any necessary changes.