"Half-way Reflection"

Tenacity & Paying It Forward

Webster defines "tenacious" as "not easily stopped or pulled apart" or "very determined to do something." One of entrepreneurs' most important competencies are their tenaciousness. They persevere, despite all odds, despite waves of negative feedback, and despite failure and rejection. 

Now that we're at the half-way point of the course, you've definitely demonstrated tenacity, too!

For this exercise, I'd like you reflect on the past two months. In your blog post for this exercise, pretend that you're talking to a student from next semester's ENT 3003 course. What would you tell them?

1) Tenaciousness is a skill. What are the behaviors that you have used (or developed) to keep up with the requirements of this course?  You really just have to look at this class like it’s your own business. Think about what it takes to own, operate, and keep a business going in today’s environment. Tenacity is a skill that you can improve on with experiences. One thing that I have done is look at each assignment as a challenge. I love a challenge and that helps drive me.

2) Tenaciousness is also about attitude. Talk about a moment or two when you felt like "giving up." What pulled you through? Do you feel like you've developed a tenacious attitude during the past two months? What experience or experiences most contributed to this? I remember pretty early in the class where I had made a post on my blog and could not get it to load into canvas and the deadline passed before it posted. I was so aggravated that I had done all of the work and was going to miss out on getting the credit that I should have earned. I’m pretty sure I wrote the professor and told him I was so aggravated that I just wanted to drop the class. Then I realized it was just a few points that I could always make up on yellow dig. If you are an entrepreneur for any length of time you will face disappointments that are out of your control. The main question is now what your next move is. Pilots never leave an airport without a flight plan however, throughout the whole flight the pilot is always course correcting. Course correcting will always be a part of running a successful business.

3) Three tips. What are three tips you would offer next semester's student about (1) fostering the skills that support tenacity and (2) developing the 'tenacious mindset’?

Listen to the lectures they bring the book readings to life. Learn the vernacular, (Share and Declare) what does that even mean? If you are not sure call the professor or TA’s. Work ahead on the assignments and don’t get caught working against the clock or deadlines. Actually do each assignment, some will make you feel uncomfortable,  it’s okay you are supposed to feel that way. This class will teach you more about yourself than anything else. Once you really know yourself then at that point you can succeed.

For this post, please include at least one image. Also, be sure to include the "phrase "Half-way Reflection" in the title and "Week 8" in the label. Once you have completed this exercise, please don't forget to Share the URL for the post and make the Declaration.