27A- Reading Reflection No. 3

For this assignment, I chose a book from the second reading list, and it was 'How to Fail at Almost Everything and Still Win Big' by Scott Adams.

1. 

     Scott Adams takes a different approach in his book on success and what it takes to be successful in life. In this book, the whole theme talks about helpful insights on what it takes to be successful, how to be successful, and how to take control of your own life. Adams focus talks about his own experiences from how he worked hard and took control of his own life, what he learned, and how he ultimately was able to branch out to start his multi-million dollar empire. Instead of the cliches that are typically spread about goals, time management, and working hard, Adams takes a different view on the mental mentality that is typically shared. He shares a bunch of different life-advising tips and hints along the way in his book from attitude and passion. He presents his ideas in a certain humorous way, that makes the book easy to read and keeps you engaged, laughing along the way.

2. 

     Like we have been working on most of the semester about innovation and coming up with new ideas, Adams takes a different approach on the way we view passion, success, goals, and more. Adams says in his book that we should  have a system, not a goal. He says losing 20lbs is a goal, while eating right is a system. He is not saying that goals aren't good, but he is saying that a system is more effective in achieving success, and it makes sense. I apply this to what we have learned in ENT3003 because it helps me take a new look on innovation and goal setting. 

     Also, Adams talks about failure in his book numerous times... Obviously, it is in the title. Adams talks about failures as a common thing. He says how failures happen from time to time, we just need to learn from them and then move forward because of that learning. I think this is great advice that can be applied because as entrepreneurs, we will fail. A lot. We just have to take it with stride and move forward.

     One of the points that I really liked in the book that Adams talked about that I greatly agree with is the point about connections. I have been saying that all year. Adams says that  who you know is important. He goes on to say that you do not have to be good friends with CEO's or billionaires, but just knowing friends that know different things than you are important! I think that this can be applied in our class in every way!

3.

In one part of the book, Adams talks about focusing on energy rather than time. What he is saying is that he prioritizes what tasks that he decides to do when by his energy levels. He says that his energy levels are maximized in the morning, so that is when he draws cartoons. In the afternoons, he says his energy levels are lower, and that is when he focuses on the more "busy work" that does not  require as much mental capacity. He acknowledges that not everyone has a flexible schedule and cannot always do this prioritizing, and he said at one point, he did not have the luxury either. He said he would wake up at four in the morning to focus on his own projects before he had to go to work and start his day. 

     If I were to create an assignment based on this book, I would focus on this point in his book. I would have the class evaluate their own life personally. I would have each student think about when their energy levels are highest, when they are lowest, when they are most creative and so forth. I would have them write about their energy levels, and how they think they should prioritize their day to be most effective. I would also ask them that if they did not have the luxury to  prioritize their day exactly how they wanted, what could they do differently in their own life to change that. It would be a self-evaluation assignment that helped students become aware of themselves.

4. 

The biggest surprise to me was about how Adams talks about generosity and selfishness. He says that there are three different kinds of generous people, selfish, stupid, and burdens on other. He says that the best one to be is selfish. He is not saying that we should go through life as a selfish asshole. He is saying that we first must take care of our own needs before we can go out into the world and help others. He goes on to say that if you do your selfishness right, you will automatically become an asset to society. Besides, how are you going to help others if you are not at your best yourself. This is definitely an interesting concept. I believe in helping others, and I enjoy helping others. With that being said, I have always kind of believed that first and foremost you have to take care of yourself. In my life, I want to give back in my community in numerous ways, financially and more. For me to do so, I first have to take care of myself and get where I want to be in life to be able to do so. Adams has solidified this belief for me.