Week #4 Reflection

Introduction

One of the most inspiring messages from this week's study materials is that success is not just about working harder—it's about working smarter, embracing change, and pursuing what we truly love. The stories of Sharon Mays, Jeff Hawkins, Tom Kelley, and Jim Ritchie emphasize that those who step outside their comfort zone and fearlessly embrace opportunities are the ones who achieve real success. My biggest takeaway is that we already have what it takes to succeed—we just need to give our dreams life and commit to making smart decisions every step of the way.

Key Information Learned

A major takeaway from Sharon Mays’ journey with Baby Greens was that we hold ourselves back more than anyone else. She explained that self-doubt and external voices telling us we’re “not ready” can be the biggest obstacles to success. Her mother’s advice—“Either do it or stop talking about it”—was a turning point for her. This reminded me that the only way to succeed is to take action instead of waiting for the “perfect” time.

Jeff Hawkins’ insight also stood out to me. He challenged the common belief that entrepreneurship requires extreme work hours, arguing that success comes from making the right choices consistently, not just working longer. He emphasized that every business, no matter how small, can grow into something great if it makes better decisions than its competitors every single day.

Tom Kelley’s discussion on doing what you love further reinforced this idea. He explained that people are naturally better at things they enjoy, and their passion allows them to put in the extra effort needed to succeed. His “three circles” framework—what you’re good at, what you love, and what people will pay you to do—helped me see the importance of aligning career choices with personal passion and market demand.

Lessons Learned

This week, I learned that fear of change is what holds most people back from success. Sharon Mays’ story showed that once we stop listening to outside voices and trust ourselves, we can create something amazing. Similarly, Jeff Hawkins' approach to smart decision-making taught me that success is not about grinding—it’s about strategy.

Another lesson I gained was the importance of networking and taking advantage of opportunities. Jim Ritchie’s story about his involvement with Franklin Quest highlighted how connections and relationships can lead to life-changing opportunities. His experience taught me that it’s not just about who you know but also about how well you nurture those relationships and contribute value.

Lastly, I learned that self-discipline and structure are key to long-term success. The Productivity Pyramid framework emphasizes that establishing core values, setting long-term goals, and breaking them down into actionable steps lead to real results.

Lessons Not Yet Learned

While I understand the importance of embracing change, I still find it difficult to take immediate action on new opportunities. I tend to hesitate, overthink, and sometimes let fear slow me down. I want to work on developing the mindset of just going for it instead of waiting until I feel 100% ready.

Another challenge I need to work on is making better daily decisions. Jeff Hawkins' perspective showed me that small, consistent improvements lead to long-term success, and I want to be more intentional about making better choices in my personal and professional life.

Summary

This week’s materials reinforced that success is about embracing change, making smart choices, and aligning passion with opportunity. Sharon Mays, Jeff Hawkins, and Tom Kelley all demonstrated that the biggest obstacle to success is often ourselves—our fears, doubts, and hesitation. The key to overcoming these barriers is to take action, trust the process, and continuously improve. By applying these principles, I can become more confident in my decisions, take advantage of new opportunities, and ultimately create a successful and fulfilling career.