21A Reading Reflection No. 2

1) What was the general theme or argument of the book?

The overall theme for this book was how to keep motivated, healthy, and happy even through the failures your might run into along the way and definitely all the successes as well. Failure is also inevitable, and not that I needed to read this book in order to let me know that, it still made me remember to not lose hope for goals I set upon myself in the future. 

2) How did the book, in your opinion, connect with and enhance what you are learning in ENT 3003?

This book allowed me to see that failure does happen. Whether we want it to or not, it happens. The author, Scott Adams, gives a few lessons in the book that could really apply to entrepreneurship and the challenges you may run into along the way. Lesson 1 was the one I connected with the most. It discussed building your life around systems, not goals. Goals have two problems; they're in the future and they're specific. To get an outcome for an unknown day in the future can drag you down emotionally. And unless you get exactly what you set out to get, you may be disappointed when you don't get want you want. Systems leave room to adjust plans and make timing irrelevant. 

3) If you had to design an exercise for this class, based on the book you read, what would that exercise involve?

If I had to create an exercise based on this book, I would have people make a list of tasks, things to get through everyday. Instead of having one or two big goals in mind, they can just apply what they wanted to do that day in the present. At the end of the exercise, I would see if the exercise helped create a sense of accomplishment and left the individual feeling fulfilled as they got stuff done throughout the day or whether always just working to one goal keep them fulfilled. I would also want to see which one made them less stressed in their everyday life, if applicable. 

4) What was your biggest surprise or 'aha' moment when reading the book? In other words, what did you learn that differed most from your expectations?

My biggest surprise moment when reading this book was that Scott Adams got many of his lessons from everyday events and occurrences. He got his Lesson 1 from a man he talked to on an airplane. I also liked when he talked about finding your energy instead of finding your passion. As long as you stay motivated and energetic, it doesn't matter how many times you fail, you can still enjoy life as you go through the motions.