Week 3 Reading Reflection

1) What was the biggest surprise for you in the reading? In other words, what did you read that stood out the most as different from your expectations? 

On the readings about Entrepreneurial Cognition; I was surprised to see a more definitive prescription of the entrepreneurial mindset.  It seemed that there was a fairly clear definition "entrepreneurs use simplifying mental models to piece together previously unconnected information" and then spoke quite clearly about the idea of cognitive adaptability.  Described as "the ability to be dynamic, flexible, and self-regulating in one’s cognitions given dynamic and uncertain task environments." and paired with the definition of entrepreneurial cognition; this cognitive adaptability put a clear frame work around what an entrepreneur was. 

2) Identify at least one part of the reading that was confusing to you

Combining the typology of entrepreneurial styles with the concepts outlined in the first chapter; I was frustrated to see all business owners now being lumped back in with entrepreneurs.  This was in direct abstraction from what was said in the first chapter where there was a distinct difference between "business owners" and entrepreneurs. 

3) If you were able to ask two questions to the author, what would you ask? Why?

I'm somewhat confused and concerned by the idea of asking this question week over week.  Both question 2 and question 3 are meant to spark the inquisitive process of the readings and yet no one responds to the posts... so the question I had from chapter 1 were never answered.  Should the entrepreneurial experience involved shouting questions into the sky?

4) Was there anything you think the author was wrong about? Where do you disagree with what she or he said? How?

"The psychic risk may be the greatest risk to the well-being of the entrepreneur. Money can be replaced; a new house can be built; spouses, children, and friends usually can adapt. But some entrepreneurs who have suffered financial catastrophes have been unable to bounce back, at least not immediately. The psychological impact has proven to be too severe for them."  

I'm not a deep and emotional family man; however, I can't get over the sentence here "spouses, children and friends usually can adapt." Especially when combined with the outline of the Family and Social Risk where the results can be "the risks of an incomplete family experience and the possibility of permanent emotional scars."  I don't disagree that there are psychic risks to the amount of stress and exposure; however, giving my children emotional scars would be a much higher price to pay.