For this reading reflection, I chose How to Fail at Almost Everything and Still Win Big by Scott Adams. This book is Adams’ memoir. He is a cartoonist. His story shows that life is not a straight path, and that your failures lead you to where you eventually are meant to be. His story is a lesson in keeping your head up and continuing along despite the failures you encounter. This book connected directly with my last post about failure. Failure is a big part of entrepreneurship. There are so many ways to miss the mark and not have a successful product. This book gives great guidelines on how to remain happy through the trials and tribulations of life. If I had to design an exercise for this class, I would have people map out three of their failures and write a reflection on how those could lead them to future success. This would be a good introspective way to turn failures into something positive. My biggest surprise is that Adams doesn’t think it is helpful to find your passion, but rather find your energy. He says you’ll be happy in life as long as you are energetic. This is an interesting take that has less to do with money and more with self fulfillment.
Hey Molly! I really liked your approach on this post. I chose this book as my reflection last time we did one. I think that your class exercise idea is definitely one that will help students understand that failure does not come without a learning experience and something that can be capitalized on. I like Adams thoughts on finding one's energy, but I believe that energy does not always lead to happiness. Energy serves as motivation to get work done, but if that energy isn't something that fulfills you, then eventually you may burn out. Passion suffers the same thing. I think that the two things need to be combined in order to drive someone to being happy.
ReplyDeleteHi Molly! Great post! I really liked the book you picked because I completely agree that life is not a straight path. I also really liked the exercise you would create as it would teach people a valuable lesson on how to look at failures.
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ReplyDeleteAfter reading your reflection of Scott Adams book, I now want to read the book. I think failure is not only part of entrepreneurship, but life as well. I love your suggestion for a class assignment. I think it would provide us with a great tool for the future. It's great that he talks about self-fulfillment instead of money.
Hey Molly! I thought it was interesting that Adams says that energy is more important than passion. When you think about it, as long as your are energetic about something, passion pretty much follows. This book sounds like an interesting read and I would love to read it one day. Great post!
ReplyDeleteHi Molly. I read this book for my second reflection. It looks like we both enjoyed it. I like how you highlighted his advice for failure. It's a difficult pill to swallow for any of us. The trick is finding the lesson to be learned and moving on. Based on your reflection with this book, it looks like you know how to find the lesson.
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