Finding The Resources You Need (Step Three of Three)

The following post is part three of three. Taken in order these three steps will help you get the resources you need to accomplish what's important to you... even making our local economy more resilient and prosperous.

Step Three:  Get The Action Habit!

"The future depends on what you do today."

-Mahatma Gandhi

Dreamers and Doers...

Earlier this month, I read a captivating new book, Creativity, Inc., by Ed Catmull, current President of Walt Disney and Pixar Animation Studios.

Since my early childhood (mid-1950's) Walt Disney has been one of my heroes.  If anyone doubts the validity of the American Dream, a trip to Disneyland is a good way to experience it and become a believer.  Walt Disney was a "dreamer" and "doer".  He assembled and led one of the most gifted teams of artists to create a number of outstanding animated films that are classics in the industry.  His vision of wholesome family entertainment provided the energy and commitment to create and build Disneyland; an amazing work that is still in process.

So, at the suggestion of my daughter,  I bought the book and didn't put it down until I read it cover to cover (actually I got the ibook version).  To say the least, the work of Disney profoundly affected the life of Ed Catmull.  Disney was and continues to be one of his most influential mentors; as evidenced by what Catmull has accomplished, or more to the point, what he has "done and is doing", as the leader of the highly gifted artists and creators at Pixar and Disney.  Like Disney, he is committed to a definite purpose and by continuously acting on that purpose secures the resources to fulfill and keep it vibrantly alive.  He, too, is not only "dreamer", but a "doer".

I recommend the book to all who are ready to not only dream but do; to break-out of a limiting comfort zone and realize their untapped potential.

The ASK Process...

The big take-away from the book for me and hopefully for others is "get the action habit".  Make it our default behavior.  We may not know where the resources are going to come from to accomplish our purpose or see how to fulfill it, but by taking action, taking the first step of a worthwhile journey and continuing, step by step, we are able to acquire the resources we need, produce the results we want and reduce the risks of undesirable outcomes.  The resources we once thought impossible to access, become available because taking action clarifies what they are and where and how to get them.

We act instead of being acted upon.  We learn and understand the priceless value of the "ASK PROCESS":  Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:  For everyone that asketh, receiveth; and him [her] that seeketh findeth; and to him [her] that knocketh it shall be opened. (Matthew 7:7-8)  It is a process of "action"!

We understand that regardless of circumstances we always have a choice.  When we  act in harmony with principles that produce our desired outcomes we move closer and closer to them instead of passively being tossed about by circumstance.  As we exercise our freedom to choose and act, we demonstrate to others, and more importantly to ourselves, that in an ever changing world, instead of being a victim we are responsible and take effective action to accomplish our objectives, achieve our goals, and fulfill our purpose.

Action is a potent antidote for successfully eliminating the roadblocks that can stop our progress toward our desired outcomes, even that of building a more resilient and prosperous local economy!

Getting and applying "the action habit" is the capstone-step for acquiring the resources we need and finding the way to fulfill our purpose.

The moment one definitely commits oneself, then Providence moves too. All sorts of things occur to help one that would never otherwise have occurred. A whole stream of events issues from the decision which no man could have dreamed would have come his way. Whatever you can do, or dream you can do, begin it. Boldness has genius, power, and magic in it. Begin it now.”

-Goethe

Next Post

Why Entrepreneurship?

What Do You Think?

As always, your constructive comments are welcomed.

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The Silver Creek Economy 2014 blog is sponsored by Partnering Technologies, an Arizona-based Learning & Development Company.  Their focus is helping individuals and organizations learn, consistently apply, and master a skill-set that is always in high demand, always highly valued, and always highly paid.  Its founder is Jim Sanderson.

Visit their website at www.partneringtechnologies.blogspot.com and find out what they are doing to build a more prosperous economy for our community in 2014.

Finding The Resources You Need (Step Two of Three)

The following post is part two of three. Taken in order these three steps will help you get the resources you need to accomplish what's important to you... even making our local economy more resilient and prosperous.  

Step Two:  Be Specific!

"When we leverage, we aggregate and organize existing resources to achieve success."

-Richie Norton

Clarity about the desired outcomes of a resilient and prosperous local economy is the next step in getting the resources we need to make it a reality.  Be specific.  Ask questions that promote your best thinking on this important issue.  For example:  What outcomes are important?  What do they look like?  What advantages will they provide us?  

Consider a time frame: 90 days from today...  How has building a more resilient and prosperous economy improved our lives?  What advantages and benefits are we experiencing?  What about 6 months from today?  12 months?  2 years?  5 years?  10 years?  Why are these important?   

Again, the key is, be specific!  Only by creating a clear vision of our desired outcomes can we effectively move toward and achieve them.  "Where there is no vision, the people perish..." (Proverbs 29:18).

Let's focus on just three of the many areas vital to our local economy: Quality Employment, Attractive Community Amenities, and Inspiring Education.  

Quality Employment

Creating an environment that provides quality employment for our residents and attracts others to our community is certainly essential to a sound economy, if not the cornerstone.

So how do we define quality employment?  Is it more jobs?  How many?  What kind?  When?  Who will create those jobs? Where will we find individuals to fill these positions?  How much econimic value will these jobs create inside and outside our community?  Why will such quality employment move us toward a more resilient and prosperous economy, now and in the future?  How agile is our local workforce? How will they fare over the next 5 to 10 years and beyond?

Who will be the entrepreneurs that start companies that create products and services that are in high demand throughout the world and provide our residents and others with rewarding, high-paying careers?

Attractive Community Amenities

What community amenities are important to you?  How will they attract others that can help our local economy become more resilient and properous? Our community swimming pool, for safety and financial reasons, has been closed.  How does that affect the attractiveness of our community to others and ourselves?

What are other amenities that make for an attractive community; the reasons why we and others want to live here?  Is it our parks?  What about more shopping options?  Is it well paved and maintained streets and roads, well-landscaped sidewalks?  What are the things that we want to offer our children and that will attract others to our community?  How can a more resilient and prosperous local economy help provide these amenities?

Inspiring Education

What kind of atmosphere promotes a culture of inspiring education?  Above the basement entrance to the Snowflake Stake Academy Building is the quote, "Self-effort Educates".  What can we do to insure that education in our community is inspiring, whether it be "formal" or "informal"?  How can we insure that we are promoting life-long learning that encourages a resilient and prosperous economy for our residents and others?  What kind of learning models will help our residents (children, youth, and adults) develop their talents and abilities and make contributions to prosperity not only on the local level, but regionally, nationally and worldwide?

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Being specific about our outcomes and committed to achieving them are essential to identifying and securing the resources we need.  It is not only important, but necessary to "drill-down" to the details!

"When we deal in generalities, we will never have a success, but as we deal in specifics we will rarely have a failure."

-Thomas S. Monson, President LDS Church

Next Post

Finding the Resources You Need (Step Three of Three)

What Do You Think?

As always, your constructive comments are welcomed.

******

The Silver Creek Economy 2014 blog is sponsored by Partnering Technologies, an Arizona-based Learning & Development Company.  Their focus is helping individuals and organizations learn, consistently apply, and master a skill-set that is always in high demand, always highly valued, and always highly paid.  Its founder is Jim Sanderson.

Visit their website at www.partneringtechnologies.blogspot.com and find out what they are doing to build a more prosperous economy for our community in 2014.