21A - Reading Reflection No. 2
How to Fail at Almost Everything and
Still Win Big
This book
interested me as, when doing research about each of the authors in the selection
list, I discovered that Scott Adams, the author of this book, was the creator
of the Dilbert comic strip. I am familiar with this intelligent cartoon mostly
from my marketing lectures with Dr. Cooke and was interested enough in the
author to choose this book.
1. The general theme of this book was
that it is not necessary to lay out a concrete career goal. Rather, an
individual should focus on improving their personal health (which entails eating
right, exercising, getting a proper amount of sleep) and using systems.
Essentially, one should focus on increasing personal health, learning from
every experience, and finding something that energizes you. According to Adams,
“step one of your search for happiness is to continually work towards having control
of your schedule” because that will contribute to your overall personal happiness
and, subsequently, health.
2. Professor Pryor, contrary to a
majority of the staff at any school system, does not seem to encourage us to
take up the typical corporate job. He by no means discourages it, but he
entertains the idea that some students may not be interested in that lifestyle.
I think that this book develops that perspective perfectly. It is important to
find something that energizes you and, with entrepreneurship, an individual can
craft their own journey so that they wake up excited and motivated.
3. For this class, I would design an
activity related to this book that ties into our recent activity titled “Growing
Your Social Capital.” I would encourage students to find an entrepreneur in the
industry in which their business idea exists and ask that expert if the perspectives
of Scott Adams resonates with them; for example, one may ask, “Do you feel as
if you fund yourself in this industry because the industry itself
motivates/interests you?”
4. In this book, the “aha” moment for me
came with the author’s emphasis on finding something that motivates and excites
you. Adams discusses that finding something that makes you “excited to wake up”
is an important component of maintaining your personal health. As a student at
a university where it seems as if we are being crafted to follow the mold and stand
in line for a position in the typical corporate, “9 to 5” position, this perspective
is refreshing.
Hey there Johnathan! This was a super nice post. Great job overall! I have never heard of Scott Adams before so I was not familiar with his intelligent cartoons....very interesting! I agree strongly that finding something that makes you "excited to wake up" is an important component of maintaining your personal health.
ReplyDeleteJohnathan,
ReplyDeleteSadly I am really bad about personal health. Since reading your post it has now made me want to get the book and read it. Since recently finding out how poorly I treat my body it had made me aware that I need to start making changes. Some changes I have started is that I eat out less and eat meals at better times. One thing I struggle with still is eating enough. Sometime I eat enough but its not the nutrition my body needs. For your assignment I feel like that is what we have been doing this whole semester. We chose a product that we were interested in and made it seem as if it is ready for sale tomorrow. I feel like this week could have had better post.
Johnathan,
ReplyDeleteWow! What you said in your post made a lot of sense. I kind of wish I read that book because mine seemed to drag on and on. What this says here is important and a conversation that I was having with my parents today. I don't find it that simple to just take an hour out of my day for exercise or spending the time to make proper meals. I have found that I am always grinding rather than worrying about myself. I really need to switch it around and I will probably think clearer, be happier, and develop even more. I feel that your post is so timely because recently I have been quite overwhelmed taking 15 credits, working at Publix, working as a campaign manager, a social media consultant (my business idea), and working on getting more candidates. Thank you for writing on this post!