W10 Reflection: Entrepreneurial Journal

“Unfortunately, innovation and the pursuit of opportunity impose a cost that many executives resist—the necessity of change.”

From Heart of Entrepreneurship by Howard H. Stevenson and David E. Gumpert


Being willing to change is a crucial component of both innovation and pursuing opportunities. You must be willing to change your mentality. When you change what you are already used to, you take on more risk. You already know what works, because you’re doing it already. But to do something different takes courage. I have found myself in this situation numerous times. I get comfortable with the status quo. I stick with a routine or a process that kind of works, even if it’s not the best. But when I do this, I don’t leave room for growth. Growth comes from change and doing things differently than how I’ve done them before. I must always be looking for a better way.


I have found it helpful to surround myself with those who hold me accountable. I do this by letting managers who work for me know that even I need correction. I’m going to make mistakes. If my actions today oppose something that I have said in the past, I need them to call me out on it. If they have the foresight that a decision I have made will have a negative impact on an existing process or person, they should speak up and let me know. If there’s a better way to do something, or if I ever appear to be taking the easy route, I want them to say something. I won’t take offense to it because I know that I often don’t think of everything that can go wrong when making a decision. I also don’t always remember everything that I have said previously.


Something else that has been on my mind this week is the importance of surrounding myself with those who also think big. I interviewed my Uncle Brian for a school assignment and I was reminded that most times after having a conversation or spending time with him, I am overcome with inspiration. I leave feeling on fire. I am always more motivated to be a better businessman and even a philanthropist. I feel inspired to think differently and on another level. I look forward to COVID being behind us so that I can join live entrepreneur meetings and try to seek out more of these kinds of people in my life.

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