Gold Needs Polishing
Commentary on a lecture given by Barbara Barrington Jones at Brigham Young University Hawaii on March 8, 2019. Barbara is a former model, classical ballerina, international motivational speaker, image consultant, and philanthropist. As you listen to Barbara see how you can polish the "gold" within your own business.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6sf87asq6JU&feature=youtu.be
One of the main ideas here is where you are, and we all know that President Mckay said that you are genuine gold. A few years ago I was out in the back walking around and after I had done a series of 30 talks and I was absolutely exhausted and I thought how in the world am I going to survive these three days of International Institute of Professional Protocol, I don’t think I can do it. I was listening to a song on my iPod called “Everything Speaks His Name” by Jesse Clarke, and as I walked around in the back there I just fell on my knees and asked my father in heaven, please help me – not do well – but just get through this. And very clearly, I heard him say to my spirit, “Remember what President Mckay said, ‘These students are genuine gold.’, but Barbara, gold must be polished. They cannot achieve their divine destiny without this program. It will be one of the greatest and most important things that you do in your lifetime.”
It’s important that you understand what polishing means. It doesn’t mean you can just whip your transcript out, it doesn’t mean you have time to give references, it doesn’t mean anything except that you never ever get a second chance to make that impression that you make when you walk into a room. Most people lose a job in an interview because they answer their phone or text during an interview. There are tons of things to learn about manners and techno-etiquette.
Success kills more people than bullets.
So many people allow success to go to their head and they lose the humility that only comes from knowing our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Find joy in the journey. Obviously, it’s not going to be a big bag of popsicles and macadamia nuts – it’s going to be hard.
Personal Reflection: I appreciate how much Barbara's entrepreneurial spirit is grounded in her faith. She also has not had an easy life. I don't think anyone does, but it really gives you more perspective in the entrepreneurial world on what is possible. Much of the limits in ourselves are mental although we can find real strength in humility. As a Brigham Young University Hawaii student, it is nice to hear someone much older and experienced echo the same desires to fulfill a vision that David O. Mckay prefaced. Do what you can with what you have and take the challenges as they come to you.