1) What was the general theme or argument of the book?
The general theme of this book is that you need to focus on your present self and make yourself happy and healthy and to learn from your failures that will eventually lead you to success. He emphasizes how we shouldn't focus on the future because it can end up disappointing us each day when we carry out small task to complete these goals. He wants you to face failure with open arms and embrace the experience which will help you live a happier life than before. I think his main argument is that you can make yourself a lot happier when you take his simple advice that will create lots of amazing changes in your life.
2) How did the book connect with and enhance what you are learning in ENT3003?
This book allowed me to look at every day life in a whole new perspective. I think about how at the beginning of this class I would just look forward to completing the assignment. Now I am going to look at each assignment like an opportunity to learn something new and have an open-mind. This book also made me feel a lot better about failing in life. For example, in this class I have gotten stumped on many assignments not knowing what to write or talk about, now if this happens again I will have a better attitude about facing and learning from my failures. Entrepreneurs go through a lot of failure in life before they make it big and I think learning from your mistakes and never giving up relate a lot to the course material and the book's theme.
3) If you had to design an exercise for this class, based on the book you read, what would it be?
I think a great exercise this class could do based off this book is an assignment which focuses on shifting our long term goals into every day systems. I think you could create this assignment by having students pick out their long term goal and then have them break it down to a system by explaining how they will move toward this goal each day which will in turn create a system for themselves. This will be a way for students to look at their familiar task in a new an innovated way. They will see that they can achieve something useful and effective everyday if you look at your life in a simpler way. Instead of focusing on long -term goals and getting frustrated the system method allows you to feel great about yourself for just utilizing the system you designed yourself.
4) What was your biggest surprise or "aha" moment when reading the book?
I think my biggest surprise moment reading Scott Adams book was that you shouldn't follow your passion and instead find your energy. This kind of changed my views on life because I was told to always follow your passion and I thought that this was the route that everyone strives for. He makes some really good points about how if you find your energy you will always be happy in life even when you fail. I think his emphasis on staying active and taking time to hang out with friends and enjoying your free time is important to realize that it is sometimes okay to be selfish. I like how he pointed out how can you help other people if you are not helping yourself first. I am going to take this advice with me throughout life because it is important to focus on yourself and enjoy the journey of life everyday.
Hello Kendall! I read this book too! It was awesome. For me, some chapters where all over the place but his main points about failing, health, energy and systems mapped it out nicely. I enjoyed reading bout his corporate jobs and how we all can get caught up in a rat race but most importantly to use what we learn to be in a better advantage in the future.
ReplyDeleteKendall, I am glad you enjoyed this book and found it applicable to every day life. It was interesting to me how Adams suggested finding your energy and applying it in the various aspects of your life which seems kind of unorthodox yet simple and efficient. I'd be intrigued to see how this would play out if done for a period of time. I definitely think you captured the message of this book.
ReplyDeleteKendall,
ReplyDeleteI considered reading this book at the beginning of the course, but decided to go another route instead. It's safe to say I wish I read this book instead! I am glad to hear it had a positive impact on you and your daily routines. It’s interesting how just focusing on changing one thing about your mindset can make all the difference. It sounds like the lessons Scott Adams discusses in the book could also be applied to a business or product idea. Thanks for sharing!