21A – Reading Reflection No. 2

Book: How to Fail at Almost Everything and Still Win Big, Scott Adams

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

The general theme and argument of the book is explicit in the title, success comes with failing and learning

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

The way I feel like the book connects with what he learn in class, is that this is the life of Scott Adams in words, so every success and failure he had to go through got him to where he is at right now. He mentions 3 steps on focusing on the system not on the goal, taking risks to find a good job and finally to invest your energy on yourself. Entrepreneurship is all about risk taking decisions and having the capability of execute optimal decisions effectively.

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

Studying job positions and how one can get the most out of it, by studying skills necessary and also practicing with the right attitude. This would put the practices into an active phase where students can prepare for the unexpected at the workplace.

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?

I found really important what Scott Adams says about focusing on the system and not so much on the goal, and I think this is what most people should follow. The system works in different ways, with deadlines and small amounts of margin error, working on it is a much better advice than “ follow your goals”.  The right attitude is to understand that everyone comes from somewhere and it is trying to get somewhere else, people driven with ambition makes the work place more ease and energizing to work with.