I've learned, I'm glad, I wish, I will...

Like every other person on the planet, I too have made some new resolutions with the onset of a new year. Unlike most people, however, I don't really like talking about them very much. I think the biggest reason is because I don't want to raise the expectations of those around me and then face their perceived judgments of my perceived failures at the end of the year. Sounds like I'm trying to dodge some accountability there... hmmm.... another topic for another day I suppose. Anyway, moving on…

This year, one thing I’m going to do is to start a new “segment” in my blogging. Aside from the regular thoughts I might have about my daily occurrences as an aspiring entrepreneur, I’m going to include some short blurbs called, “I’ve learned…”, “I’m glad…”, “I wish…”, and “I will…” in my blog. These will, if nothing else, give me a more regular launching pad for my thoughts as a blogger. I think by declaring something I’ve learned, I am, in a sense, forcing myself to learn, well... something on a regular basis. It may be something new, and it may just be something reviewed and re-realized – an “Oh, right!” moment, if you will. By specifying something I’m glad about, I’ll be identifying things I’m thankful for, big or small. No one can be too grateful. The more thankful I am, the more generous I’ll have a tendency to be myself. Wishing for things, while usually in the context of only hoping or dreaming, will be more like aspirations for me. Things I can strive for. Sometimes people wish for things, however, that just ought to be so, without any other intention. I’m no exception. And finally, by saying, “I will…” I’m committing myself to something. For me, this is important. It keeps me goal oriented, motivated, proactive, and productive. So, here we go…

I’ve learned…
That Rob is much more talented that I thought. Rob, one of my 2 best friends, and a guy I’ve known since the 4th grade, has always been a very sharp individual. This isn’t new to me. He’s always been quick-witted, great at chess (a calculated thinker), and good with numbers. In fact, Rob even has a strange talent that proves how quick he is. Not many people know this about him, but if you were to give Rob a word…any word…he’ll be able to tell you how many letters are in that word almost immediately. It’s kinda weird, but it's pretty cool to see him do it too.

I’m glad…
That he had chosen to pursue a career in computer science because it gives me an excuse to work with him like we’ve always talked about! Because he’s learned so much about computer programming I can “employ” him as an independent contractor to work with me on my business ideas! I’ve got a lot of them, and he seems to be just the man for the job! Over the New Years weekend, he and I worked tirelessly day and night to further my LittleLDS program re-design. He’s come up with a LOT of improvements to the old program and has already got most of the revisions finished.

I wish…
That I had more money to pay him what he’s really worth, and that I could employ him full-time. I am paying him, but in my opinion, he’s worth a lot more. For now, however, he told me that he’s content to be working with me, and doing what he loves to do…programming!

I will…
Definitely be looking forward to working with Rob to finish LittleLDS CD #4, “Scenes from the Plains,” and subsequent LittleLDS as well as LittleArtist titles. I’m also looking forward to having his expertise on some of my concepts for other Tyed Art products and programs! We’ve talked about a few of them and he really seems to be up for the challenge! I've learned that a good entrepreuer surrounds himself with people who are smarter than himself. Rob's employment is a good step in this direction.

I’ve been working a lot on my LittleLDS product party model too. After doing a lot of research and taking some surveys, I’ve got some really great ideas on how I can improve the concept of the product party. I’m currently creating a PDF file that will be downloadable to anyone who might be interested in hosting one of these parties. I should have it finished within the next few weeks, I think. After that, I’ll be posting it on my LittleLDS website for public access. I’ve had some very interesting challenges in making this work, but have met them all head on. Kim has helped me a lot with many of these tough issues. She’s been instrumental in helping me work through some of the hang ups and dead ends. I’m really looking forward to starting the parties publicly. I don’t expect them to “take off” right away, but I think they will be nice tool to have if I’m ever approached again with the question, “Does LittleLDS do parties like Tupperware?”…..to which I will now be able to proudly reply, “As a matter of fact, we do, Ma’am, and you can get all the information on the website.”