Presidential Pearls of Wisdom

President Samuelson explained the importance of accepting callings. Please describe how you plan to respond to different calls that will come to you over your lifetime.

In the church we do not seek callings neither do we reject them. When a calling comes my way I plan on accepting it. Even though Bruce R. McConkie was too busy to realistically perform his calling he was still willing to accept it. I will trust my Priesthood leaders to know enough about my situation and to act under the influence of the spirit and conventional wisdom. They may retract the call but I will always be willing to accept it and do my best to fulfill it.

President Samuelson identified the practice of being “too critical” of ourselves as being worse in effect than not being critical enough. How do your expectations of your own performance effect how you serve as a leader. How do you intend to avoid the practice of over self criticism?

When I am being over critical of myself I find that my relationships with others suffer. I am no longer focused on serving them but I am drowning in my own pool of self pity. Being overcritical of yourself is a form of egocentrism. It blocks my ability to lead with confidence and act with boldness.

To avoid this problem I plan on staying in touch with realistic expectations. The reason I am over critical of myself is that my expectations are not realistic. I have more patience for the shortcomings of others than I do for my own. I feel like i need to treat myself with a little of that critical equality. I'll continue to hold myself to a high standard of performance just as I hold those I associate to a high standard as well.

President Samuelson shared his method of organizing his plans to include, long term, mid term and short term. What approach do you currently use in organizing the work you are responsible for?

Thanks to Hilary I have become an avid user of the planner. It helps me track the things which I need to do each day and the month view helps me see the more long term tasks. I keep running lists of all the things I need to do this year. I have separate logs for the different areas of my life. I am able to track my financial progress through specific records I've designed for that purpose. In my personal journal I track my progress in obtaining my personal goals. I always try to see the end from the beginning so that I can plan accordingly.

Please describe your motive for serving in BYUSA. Has this motive changed or evolved as the year has gone by?

Currently my motive for serving in BYUSA is to give back to my community. I have been greatly blessed to come to Brigham Young University and I feel like I should offer something in return. I don't want to be a leech on the resources here and not replenish any of them. The motive has changed a number of times over the course of the year. It started out as a way to diversify my resume and to get a sense of personal achievement. Then it became about getting involved and doing something besides school. Then it became what it is today.

It's Ron Jones

Bro. Jones described his career path and an experience where he received a recommendation from the President of Dixie State College. This recommendation came because of Bro. Jones reputation as someone who would follow through on any assignments he received. Please describe what practices you will engage to make sure that you are considered someone who is reliable in completing projects.

I think the first thing about being reliable is not promising things you can't deliver. That's where a lot of people find themselves in trouble. They take on more than they can realistically handle and then the assignment gets done in a shoddy way or not at all. I will attempt to always be honest with what I can handle. This is not the lazy man way of getting out of challenging projects. I expect to be challenged by projects and such but I won't take on more than I can handle because then everyone loses.

Bro. Jones mentioned the opportunities that he has had to be an example for those who are not members of the church and has been an influence for changing opinions about Mormons. Please describe how you will consider the opportunity to make friends for the Church as you start and grow your career.

Being a good example goes a long ways with people. The church is getting enough exposure these days that most of America has a good feel for what we believe and the standards we stand for. If they come to find you talk the talk but don't walk the walk then they will lose a lot of respect for you. Being Mormon means standing for something. The world may not always applaud us for it but it is expected of us. Being a good example of righteous gospel living, being friendly and not cheating to get ahead, will all be valuable ways of making friends for the Church.

Bro. Jones described his work on the Festival of the American West. One aspect that made that event succesful was the inclusion of many different people and allowing them to shine with their talents. Please explain how this concept of involving others and allowing them to utilize and showcase their talents relate to our practice of leadership in BYUSA and in the future.

BYUSA is all about involving people. Very few things would get done if we did not have a large pool of talent to draw from. Everyone can make a contribution because everyone has a skill, a talent or an experience which will add to the betterment of the whole. The officers and coordinators in BYUSA have never claimed to have a monopoly on the talent or the good ideas. When many different people begin working together in unity under a common purpose, a lot of good things begin to happen. By showcasing the talents of others, we are able to do much more than if we tried to rough it alone.

The 12 Laws of Cox

Select at least three of Bro. Cox's 12 career "hints" and report what you are currently doing to follow his recommendations. Be specific in describing how you are living each "hint."

1. Family First- I got engaged this semester. I'm looking to start a family of my own and begin that part of my progression. The world would tell you that this is not a good move. I'm not even done with my undergraduate work. They would say I should put it off until I'm financial stable and able to support a wife. I always want to put Hilary and my future children above my career. I'm living this hint right now by making time for our relationship. I'm making an active effort to help with the wedding and not just sneak off and get out of making a contribution. Like our good man David O. McKay said, "No success (individual, social, political, financial) can compensate for failure in the home."

2.Be prepared before opportunity knocks- I am trying to gain the training and experience I need to seize the opportunities which come my way. Part of taking advantage of opportunities is being able to recognize them before it is too late. Part of my preparation is having a plan. I have my goals written out and I review them daily. This helps me seize opportunities which fit inside of my life plan. I want to be prepared in every way to do the things which I want and I know the Lord wants me to do. I'm trying to sharpen my talents and increase my abilities in communication, writing, reading, and leadership. When it comes to preparation I like what Winston Churchill said and I try to apply it in my life.

"To every man there comes in his lifetime that special moment when he is figuratively tapped on the shoulder to do a special thing unique to him and fitted to his talents.What a tragedy if that moment finds him unprepared or unqualified for the work which would be his finest hour."

3. Be willing to start from ground level- Although I have been given much, I don't expect the world to hand me success. I am no way under the disillusionment that I'm going to get out of school and go straight to the top. Through my experience as a missionary and various other brushes with reality, I have come to the personal conclusion that I'm going to have to pay my dues, work hard and climb the ladder like everyone else. I'm living this hint just by being a student. I understand that this is ground level for a career. The important thing about his is to work hard at every level, even ground level.

Select one or more "hints" from Bro. Cox upon which you feel a need improve your focus. Be specific about your plans to better incorporate this "hint" into your life.

1. Try new things- This is something which has always scared me. I like to stick with what I know to be tested and true. I have an aversion to activities in which I could possibly fail. I need to get over this quickly. I plan to overcome this fear by trying something new each month. Whether it be a new restaurant or a new hobby, I'll start small and hopefully work my way up to doing new things where it really counts, such as in my career.

2. Leave it better than you found it- To leave something better than you found it is a service. It requires you to set your selfishness aside and make a lasting contribution. I've really failed to do this with my student wards here at BYU. Part of that had to do with the fact that I was actively pursuing a girl outside of my ward but part of that was also just from laziness. I thought since I had no plan of sticking around I really shouldn't contribute. That was faulty thinking on my part. I have since learned from Dr. Cox and others that no matter how long you plan on being somewhere, set down roots and make it better than you found it. In my next ward I will begin to make it a better place than I found it.

Judge Ye This Day

Judge Griffith spoke about his career and how he had moved around to different opportunities seeking to find his passion. Please describe what you feel you are passionate about today and where you think these interests will take you as you start your career path.

Recently I have found a great passion for estate planning and tax law. I'm currently enrolled in a class called Personal Finance taught by the legendary Dr. I. He has kindled a great fire within me to become financially independent and help others do the same. I believe this is something which I can do with great intensity and with great passion because I love being prepared for future events and independence from all people, organizations, agencies etc. I am almost completely sure that I want to become an attorney but I was lacking a specific field of emphasis or specialty. This class and this professor have set me on a path towards estate law, tax law, and finance.

This year marks the first time I have calculated and filed my own tax return. I found myself extremely interested in all of the tax laws. I loved researching all the exemptions, credits, and liabilities. The more I thought about it the more I realized I could do this as a career. I could help individuals and companies keep Uncle Sam from over-reaching his bounds. I've always been passionate about saving money and making money work for you instead of working for your money.

Judge Griffith quoted several verses in Jacob 2, in reference to the pursuit and use of wealth. How will you apply the concepts that Jacob shares with us as you experience success in your career.

Wealth should never become a status symbol. That is when you know you are going against the counsel in Jacob 2. I've never been into the designer clothes, the gator shoes, the fancy things of life. I'm OK with driving used cars, living in a moderate home and sending my children to public schools. I want to acquire wealth for the sake of my family's future and stability. I want them to have confidence in my ability to provide a roof over their head, food on their table, and an education for their minds.

For charitable work and donations I want to volunteer and financially support organizations which promote education, citizenship, and achievement. Hilary and I have talked about helping good families adopt. The process is crazy expensive and can be a burden on those who want to adopt and give children a good home.

Please share something you learned about leadership in your career from judge Griffith’s presentation.

I learned that you can stick to your standards and principles and all will be well for you. You will gain much more in the long run if you do that then if you sell out immediately for a few pieces of silver. His story of standing up to the senior partners of his law firm, over the admitted infidelity of his client, really struck me. He said it later led to some good things for him and even if it wouldn't have, he feels he did the right thing and that was his reward.