Keep Moving Forward

 This week has been very exciting. I am challenging myself this semester with 18 credits. In my past I have always struggled enjoying school due to the nature of being told what to do. This is one of life's great ironies because I consider on of the best traits to be teach-ability. I have challenged myself to help take the courses I both need and what for my future. Technically, I do not need any elective credits nor do I need this course for my degree. I took this course because I have always wanted to be an Entrepreneur and build businesses.

I think some of the things I have loved about this class so far is the mind-set. I love being in the company of Entrepreneurs. I love the idea that all things are possible. I believe this. I love the reference in our readings to Edison having 10,000 steps in creating the light bulb not 10,000 failures. I feel like if we can truly take this lesson to heart we will be better individuals, business owners, and disciples of the Lord. We have been placed on this Earth at this time to do great things. Miracles only cease if our faith does. I know this to be true. My wife and I  were watching "Meet the Robinsons last night while baby-sitting for my sister in law and they say a phrase I feel is very much applicable for this topic. The phrase is "Keep Moving Forward." 

As Future Entrepreneurs I feel there are going to be many things people will and can deem as "failures" but if you truly felt that way how would you wake up in the morning? I suppose that is why there are so many people who are content NOT being entrepreneurs because of how they view "RISK" and "REWARD." I believe we are all Entrepreneurs. President Uchtdorf has a great Mormon Message video about "Creation" that I feel speaks to each of us and our desire to "create." What I am learning is that I must create. I must. I must be one who takes charge of their future and blesses the lives of Father in Heaven's children. I do not believe this is as easily done if you are worried about putting food on the table, or about who might get voted off the next island on t.v. I love these readings and wish that this was not an online class just because I would have loved to network together with like minded individuals. I appreciate your class and

Septemeber 21, 2013: So Much to do and so little time...

My feelings entering into this semester are new for me. Seeing that I am an entrepreneur at heart I have always had a student mentality but I had a distaste for organized Academia. I knew I could learn and figure out on my own anything and everything I wanted... This is why this semester has been so new for me. I still recognize that I can do and learn anything I want living in this great :information age" however, now that I have a vision for where I want to go and see it coming together I am getting excited for the classes that are subjects and skills that I feel are necessary and beneficial not simply required.

I have always been a dreamer and have never had a lack for ideas. Perhaps, I lack ambition, drive, or simply have to many aspirations. Regardless, I fully intend to live and live big. Love and love fully. I love the notion that whatever the mind of man can conceive he can achieve (Hill). I truly believe that. With that being said I am entering into this with an open mind to see and learn what this blessed University and accomplished instructors have to offer. I will take these skills, thoughts, and abilities into heart and become a disciple in all aspects of my life. I am excited to gain an LDS perspective. I desire to be a great business owner to help individuals get work, and to gain financial freedom not out of greed but out of a pulsating desire for stability, and desire to build and serve Our God. Thank you for your service in helping me in this journey. I pray for your success and your spirit to Shine in this Your Calling to help us in our journeys. Thank you.

In the beginning...

To completely understand this Journal you must first understand who I am, and where I am coming from. So bear with me while I introduce myself to you. My name is Dane Anderson and I am an Entrepreneur. I grew up in a house with a single mom, three older sisters, (myself), and my younger brother. My mother was very passionate about being home with her kids even though she had nothing more than a High school education and 5 kids under the age of 16 when she became a single parent after 18 years of marriage. My mother in her efforts to be with us and raise found herself in a situation where she was thrust into Entrepreneurship.

Entrepreneurship may not have been a new concept to her it may have felt more comfortable than the alternative of being an employee. Her father, my grandpa worked from home in a shop he built with his hands and was a wedding cake maker/ baker his whole life. He was very successful in his chosen field and lived the life he and his wife desired. With that being said I watched from the time I was nine till now (age 24) as my mother has struggled and failed with many companies and succeeded with others.

Due to the learning curve when I was entering into Junior High I recall a childhood full of financial burdens that plagued our whole family with stress and fear. I began reading and purchasing business books and finance books. A desire in me to can control over my own finances began to plant itself into my heart. My best friends became: Robert Kioysaki, Dave Ramsey, Napoleon Hill, Dan Miller, Stephen Covey, Ayn Rand and many others.

When I went on a 50 mile back-packing trip I was the scout that bought candy (even  though I dislike candy) to provide a needed/ wanted good/service for the other scouts to get things I wanted that I didn't want to carry. I traded one laffy taffy for one scout's pillow for the whole week. I did feel bad as I watched him toss and turn all night while trying to use his own clothes as a pillow. These are but a few examples that have made the DNA of who I am coming into this course.

I never had the desire to come to BYU-Idaho. I didn't even want to go to BYU-Provo except if I played football. As fate would have it though I feel in love with my wife while I was attending Utah Valley University and she was at BYU-Idaho. We got married and moved to Idaho. I am currently studying Business Management with an emphasis in Finance. My emphasis would've been "Entrepreneurship" but I felt the classes within my current major would help me best with where I want to go and what I need to learn. I am trying to stay within the 120-140 credit limit to graduate but still take classes I want and feel are beneficial...Hence, why I am in this course.