Throughout the first half of this course, I've definitely channeled different behaviors to keep up with the requirements of this course. I'd say persistence and a creative mindset are two that pop up first in my mind. Some of the assignments for this class are tedious, long, and require a decent amount of sitting down and thinking. I think what makes a lot of these assignments harder is the fact that you're forced to think about real-life situations and put yourself into those scenarios. Over time, this definitely gets tiring but you just have to be persistent. A lot of times the class seems like a "grind" but it gets easier the more you're forced to think from an entrepreneurial perspective. Another behavior that I'm not used to having to exercise very regularly until this course is a creative mindset. For this course, you're forced to think outside of the box at times and it was good to be creative for certain assignments. The thing about the entrepreneurial process is that you're constantly forced to adapt and adjust and this really brought out my creative side.
There have been times when I've felt like giving up. This mostly occurs when I'm forced to go out into the world and find people to interview. At those times I think about how much work testing the bounds of my product is and if it's even worth it in the end. Obviously, within the bounds of the class, it is, because I need to get a good grade and that requires that I complete the assignments. Honestly, what pulled me through those moments was the fact that I had to complete them to survive the class. But when I think about what entrepreneurship is, a lot of the time it can be just that, survival. You have to figure out how to live from one moment to the next and your plan is constantly changing. In addition to being tenacious, I think I've become more adaptable and that helps deal with those moments when you feel like giving up. Another way to think about it is in terms of everything you've already dedicated to the process. That means time, effort and energy. Personally, I want to say it's all for something, rather than nothing, so giving up just isn't an option.
If I had to come up with three tips for a future Prin. of Entrepreneurship student it would be this:
1. Don't hesitate to be adaptable when you're developing your entrepreneurial idea. If you have to start over, then start over. Don't waste your time continuing to develop something that you don't believe in.
2. Firmly believe that things will get easier. The entrepreneurial process can be hard to start and it's even harder to persist through certain activities. Eventually, you'll find that assignments are a little easier because you learn to be tenacious.
3. Ask for help. When you get stuck on an assignment ask for help. I found that someone else's opinion can bring new light to something and give you a fresh perspective.
Hi Jordan,
ReplyDeleteI totally agree that this class gets easier to more you adopt that entrepreneurial perspective. I too had difficulty finding the motivation to actually interview people, but in the end it was really great to gain perspective and get out of my comfort zone. I appreciate your transparency in this post, its very much not sugar coated and I think that is most helpful! Now if only I could tell myself in college "it'll only get easier" hahaha.
Thank you!
Holly Dixon
Hey Jordan
ReplyDeleteI definitely agree with your three tips for any future principle of entrepreneurship student. I especially agree with your first point; while it can be hard to start over again, if your idea isn't exciting you or if you can see it is not going to work, it makes more sense to drop it rather than just continue when the writing is on the wall.