Halfway Reflection

Tenaciousness is a Competency

What are the behaviors that you have used (or developed) to keep up with the requirements of this course?

I think that the behavior that  have used the most in this class is learning how to step out of myself and try and look at things from other peoples point of view. We talked in the beginning of this course about the fact that something you may see as a problem may not be how others see it. We need to not convey our problems onto other and assume they will buy a product based off of this. In addition to this, using a creative and outside-the-box thinking has been essential to coming up with ideas central to my solution.

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?

My giving-up moment was probably more towards the beginning of this two-month experience when we were Forming an Opportunity Belief. It was definitely coming up with an idea, that I not only thought was worth pursuing but that I was also passionate enough to spend the rest of the semester on, was one of the most difficult things to do thus-far. I think, though, after this was established, a lot of other things started falling into place. Because of the topic which my idea surrounds, the responses I get during interviews are usually pretty uncomfortable. It is not discussed enough and it is a serious matter so people often tense up or don't know what to say. I think overcoming thins, and getting people to feel comfortable and open enough to talk about it has been another struggle but has progressively gotten easier the more interviews I've done.

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'?

1. Find a topic that you are passionate about, even if it takes a little longer, because you don't want to spend all this time on something you don't care about, it will end up being a waste.

2. Give yourself enough time to talk to people for interviews, prepare your questions and show a passion for what you are talking about so that the people you are interviewing will want to care more as well.

3. Think of the possibility that you could be the one who actually starts this business later on. Find out what the people want, not want you want, and make a product that is so suitable to peoples needs that you can't not start this business.