Gloria Ochoa's Entrepreneurial Journal

  Moving Forward with a Driving Passion.  This week’s study, Moving Forward with a Driving Passion , really touched my heart. It reminded me that success is not just about achieving goals, it's about who we become along the way. Out of all the 7 Habits, Habit 5: Seek First to Understand, Then to Be Understood has had the deepest impact on me. I’ve realized that true communication begins with listening, not talking. Too often, I rush to fix or respond, instead of pausing to truly understand how someone feels. This week’s readings helped me see that listening with empathy is an act of love. It’s how we connect with others on a deeper level, the way Christ listens to each of us with perfect patience and understanding. Habit 2: Begin with the End in Mind also inspired me to think about the kind of person I want to become. I want to be a daughter of God guided by faith and integrity. Writing and reflecting on my personal mission statement is helping me focus on my priorities, pri...

  This week really made me think about what it means to grow not just in school or business, but as a person. One thing that stood out to me was Jan Newman’s talk, “Loyalty to God and Family.” He reminded us that no matter how busy or ambitious we get, we should never let our loyalty to God or our families get “crunched.” That really hit me because it is easy to let school, work, or hobbies take over, but the most important things in life are our faith and family. True success is not just about achieving goals; it is about keeping the right priorities. President N. Eldon Tanner’s message on self-mastery also made a strong impression on me. He taught that the greatest victory we can ever achieve is to conquer ourselves. I have realized that self-discipline is often the toughest challenge. Whether it is managing my time, staying calm under stress, or keeping my priorities in order, mastering myself is what truly builds strength and character. I also take comfort in knowing that God ...

  Reflections on “A Hero’s Journey” Sometimes life feels like stepping onto the stage of an adventure you didn’t audition for, but that’s precisely where growth happens. Watching A Hero’s Journey this week really made me think about what it takes to grow and succeed. One of the biggest things I realized is that every hero faces challenges that test their skill, character, and perseverance. These obstacles aren’t just roadblocks; they’re opportunities to grow, adapt, and discover strengths we didn’t know we had. Mastery isn’t about being perfect or avoiding failure; it’s about having the courage to step into the unknown and keep moving forward, even when it’s scary or difficult. A Real-Life Hero’s Journey When my husband and I opened our first restaurant, it felt like stepping into the unknown. There were numerous challenges, from learning to manage staff and finances to making decisions we had never faced before. We relied on each other, sought guidance from mentors, and leaned on...

 This week, the readings from How Will You Measure Your Life? and Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin’s Little Things Are Important gave me a lot to reflect on regarding how I live my life, care for my family, and nurture my relationship with God and others. One idea that resonated deeply with me is the danger of the “just this once” thinking. It is easy to rationalize small compromises in daily life, but I have come to realize that even tiny lapses can establish patterns that affect us over time. Christensen reminds us that it is easier to hold to our principles consistently than to try to follow them most of the time, and Elder Wirthlin emphasizes that paying attention to the small things, like daily choices, kind words, and small acts of service, builds a life of integrity and spiritual strength. I was also struck by the importance of humility and the value of learning. Elder Wirthlin teaches that even the smallest moments, such as showing patience, offering encouragement, or serving ot...

This week’s study on honesty and business ethics prompted me to reflect on my personal values and how they inform my real-life decision-making. One of the most meaningful takeaways for me was the importance of establishing clear ethical boundaries before facing difficult situations. Learning about the ways unethical behavior, even if seemingly minor, can escalate into larger problems reminded me that integrity is not situational; it is a daily choice. I particularly connected with the idea of setting ethical guardrails. By deciding in advance what I will always do and what I will never do, I can create a moral compass to guide me, even in challenging moments. For instance, the readings emphasized transparency, honesty, and fairness as core values for building trust with customers, colleagues, and the community. I realized that in entrepreneurship or any professional role, these principles are just as important as technical skills or business strategy. If I consistently maintain integri...