Assignment 21: Reading Reflection 2

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

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

The general argument in the book is that failure is not always a bad thing. Scott Adams wants us to invite failure into our lives because with failure comes learning. However, if you allow failure in your life but don't learn something, it's not necessarily a good thing. Adams also recognizes that failure is the raw material for success. To achieve success, one must position themselves that favor a high chance of luck.

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

One of the things the book talks about success being somewhat dependent on the people you know. Adams points out that a friend helped him give a speech when he was having trouble. This connects with this class because we have a chance to connect with group mates to discuss their perspective on how they may interpret an assignment. This is just like the peer reviews that we have on each assignment. This book enhances what I'm learning in ENT3003 by means of the cupcakes. I usually fail at the cupcakes by how specific and tricky some of the questions are. While it may seem terrible, I'm still learning a great deal of information by taking them which is the whole point that the book is trying to make.

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

The exercise that I would design for the class would be to make a list of priorities in your life. Break your priorities into a target where priorities that are for you is the bullseye, the next ring is your personal finance, the following ring is personal relationships, and the outer ring is the rest of the world. You would want to set up a certain rule to manage conflicting interests. This rule will allow you to break your priorities into the four categories. You want to make sure the most important priorities are those that enhance your energy.

4) What did you learn that differed most from your expectations?

 What differed from my expectations that I learned was the fact of incorporating luck into something to consider. I would never have thought that looking for situations that gave a high chance of luck would be part of making key decisions and business moves. It was definitely interesting to hear that you can have average skills, perseverance, and luck and be as successful (or even more) than someone with higher skills and that works hard. Another thing that surprised me was that Adams called passion bullshit and that it is often misleading.