Reading Reflection #2

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

The General theme of the book is based on the author’s life and how you can fight through struggles and still be successful. The name of the book “How to Fail at Almost Everything and Still Win Big” gives first hand advice of how his life and how his own failures lead him to experiences that helped him get to where he his today. He goes into detail of his failures from everything from failed resteraunt business, failed investments, even failed interviews that put him in circumstances to make mistakes and learn from his mistakes. He goes into great detail about how important it is to focus on strategies instead of just goals

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

I think this book relates to the class because it shows how to really become good at something you need to go out and try. It was through all his experiences that he was able to make mistakes and really learn what to do next. It gives us real life examples of how networking occurs in the business world. He exemplifies how in each circumstance by looking at something in a different way can change the circumstances. Instead of just seeing a problem we can begin to see who has the problem and how it can be solved. He goes into detail about how when you are selling yourself you can use a positive attitude and different strategies.

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

I would make an assignment where you make a web of his life and how it relates to where he is today. For instance, his failed restaurant business taught him experiences, his schooling helped him, and his previous banking experience taught him how to understand his finances, and his trials with disabling speech and his hand helped him overcome failures. Then I would have the student make a personal web of previous experiences, jobs, failures and successes that could help the student evolve into their potential business.

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?

When I started the book, I had no idea that the cartoonist was a comic book author for the famous cartoon “Dilbert”.  Even more surprising for me was the fact that he suffered from a problem with his finger, which seems odd thinking of a cartoonist who has a hand impairment. However, he did not let this stop him. That really inspired me.

Also, when he went into detail about using strategy as a goal it really made me think. At first, I did not agree with this acknowledgment but the more I read the more I understood the point of view. Making a goal to lose weight is very different than having a strategy to exercise and eat properly. Same as the goal to obtain a degree is different from learning everyday and constantly improving career success. I really learned that having a strategy can determine and lead to success and being happy in the process not just seeking the destination.