With the “steamroller of ISM” gaining ground in the form of finding a mentor and the effectively completing my original work, I continue to redefine my personal definition of proactiveness, a concept that continues to mold in response to varying circumstances. Although it is an accepted truth that one should live in the moment, finding an equilibrium with effective planning for the future while executing impending takes is a quality I strive to master. In addition, the emphasis of strategic planning in the world of entrepreneurship by professionals who I have interviewed has allowed me to develop a greater understanding for the importance of this quality. This realization has caused me to continue intensive work on my business plan which will help me achieve targeted goals in the Independent Study and Mentorship Program, in the Youth Entrepreneurship Academy, and at various business case competitions.

As deadlines for all three target sections mentioned above continue to approach, I have continued to work on the specifics of my business plan. As I successfully presented my business idea in a recent pitch competition sponsored by the Youth Entrepreneurship Program, I have been granted the opportunity to utilize my business idea as part of the YEA! Program, continuing to develop it into a functioning legal business throughout the year. In addition to this responsibility and motivation to continue work on my idea, the Conrad Challenge, a prestigious business competition that strives to identify businesses that can eliminate various social issues, is approaching this Friday, wherein success in this competition will stem from proactive planning and effective execution of the required submission materials. These components, in the form of external motivators, not only allow me to continue my work in the field of social entrepreneurship, but inadvertently teach me various characteristics that one must attain to be a successful entrepreneur or business professional in the future.

In parallel with strategic planning, I have begun to envision the coming weeks in my ISM journey. Fortunately, as I have received many responses form business professionals, I plan on scheduling research interviews with those who I believe have the capability to become my mentor. As many events dependent on my business plan approach, I plan on concentrating more of time on effectively completing my business proposal and sending it to my many professional contacts for critiquing. Ultimately, planning is a part of the journey while action serves an even greater role.