Reading Reflection No. 2

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

1. The book contains all of the secrets that the author, the artist of the Dilbert comics, has learned on how to be both happy and successful in life.
2. The book goes through many points, some of which are reflected in ENT 3003. Adams suggests to the reader at one point that the reader understand the difference between novelty-based jobs (learning new things daily) and repetitive jobs (like athletes), and we should know which type of job makes us happiest. Entrepreneurship is definitely a novelty job, and some people, though full of fantastic business ideas, may prefer repetitive jobs. Also, the author encourages looking at success as a learn-able skill, which I can see reflected in this class. The class is essentially teaching us how to be a successful entrepreneur, and showing us that with the right knowledge and skillset and motivation to learn, anyone can do it.
3. I would tell the students to pick 5 of Adams's tips/tricks that they believe they need to work on. Then, over the next week or two, they should practice those skills/tricks. Then complete a write-up of how practicing those tips affected their mood and their outlook on their own ability at achieving success.
4. Probably the most "Ah-Ha" moment for me was when I read the very first tip - "Passion is Bullshit". The author argues that success does not come from passion, but in reality passion comes out of success. This made the think back on my won successes and passions. I am successful in my research lab, and I am also very passionate about my research. However, I joined the lab and became heavily involved because I loved the people and the atmosphere (as a starting undergrad, I was not yet exposed to the real research). Now that I have a huge responsibility in the lab, I do love it. I am good at participant contact and testing - if I was not good at it, I probably would not love it. I can see the passion/success paradigm working both ways, really.