Half-way Reflection of an Aspiring Impact Sociologist

I was looking forward to this course and I have not been disappointed.  The most exciting aspect has been the format because it is all about doing; practical application over theoretical analysis.  This is the way entrepreneurship MUST be taught!

What behaviors have I cultivated to to keep up with this course?

It started with the first assignment when we were told to choose our schedule.  This is so important because it should lead to an analysis of the course format, assignment due dates, and reading plan.  Spending time on this at the onset is critical to organizing time and focusing on assignments without undue stress.  In essence, exactly the skills an entrepreneur should learn - maximizing time efficiency - for venture success.

Did I ever feel like "giving up?"  If so, how did I pull through?  Have I developed a tenacious attitude since the course started?  If so, what most contributed to this?

"Giving up" is too strong a sentiment.  I never felt like giving up but I certainly felt like purposefully skipping a couple of assignments because they forced me to go outside my comfort zone.  The first customer interviews and the free money exercises are good examples.  I pulled through because I made a commitment to learn by overcoming any challenge, no matter how daunting it appeared at the onset.  I have become tenacious in that I made a commitment to achieve a perfect score in this course, which means doing whatever is necessary to stay organized, overcoming fears, and striving to expand my box by forcing myself to continuously step out of it.

The three tips I would offer next semester's student to foster the skills that support tenacity and develop a 'tenacious mindset' are:

1. Organize, organize, organize - From the get go, understand the course format and organize your time and schedule to complete each assignment in a timely manner.  The assignments in this course require reflection and planning so rushing into them at the last minute is a recipe for failure.  Get into the habit of reviewing the coming week every Sunday or Monday.
2. The World's Biggest Problems Exercise is the foundation of your entrepreneurial concept so spend the time necessary to profoundly reflect and rank the problems.  You will waste a golden opportunity to discover a problem that you are passionate about if you gloss over this exercise.  I use the word passionate deliberately because if you can find your passion for something, you will begin to really tap into your potential and will learn that the journey is not only fulfilling but much easier to traverse.
3. Look in the mirror and know that you are staring at your worst enemy.  This type of course should obliterate comfort zones that we all confine ourselves into.  If you can defeat your worst enemy - YOU - entrepreneurship or really anything in life will not only be possible but success will, all of a sudden, become an inevitability.