Last Post of Fall 2020

How did this quarter go for you? What did you love? What do you wish would have gone differently?

This quarter was kind of like my own personal hell. I constantly was confused and turned around in where I wanted to be and what I needed to be doing. I understand the idea of “don’t steal someone else’s struggle” but honestly a little push or some ideation couldn’t have hurt me that much. But I also think I struggled so much because I didn’t have a team or an idea I was overly passionate about. I fell into a rut and by the time I came out I was already half way through the quarter. So, yeah, I have been overwhelmed and kind of shot from ever having to do this again. But the next quarter is already sneaking up on us, so I am going to get myself ready and set up for success.

What did I love? I loved the connection I got to my E level. It was so incredible to connect with other entrepreneurs that are working on their own projects, but supporting one another. It was amazing, and made me smile on so many days that it had been difficult to get out of bed. I also loved the speaker series. That was so good. Hearing and connecting to people that have already gone out into the world and done incredible things as entrepreneurs is something that inspires me every time I heard them.

Different? I would have joined a team and let myself be a team player again and not the ideator. I also would have changed the timeline for the E4 exam. Holding that immediately after VP1 means that none of us had the chance to get started on our own ventures in a real capacity until weeks 3 or 4. I also would make sure that the traction journal groups are running smoothly. As I write this post I have never had any of my members interact with any of my posts. And to be honest, that really sucks. Why am I writing this and asking for feedback and connection if no one is ever going to ready it? Another thing I would change is making a place to connect and get to know the other E levels and their projects. I had no idea what any one was doing and I would have loved to hear about the cool projects that people were doing way before now. There are so many things that I would love to adapt and change in the program. And there are even more that I would have changed in what I did, but at the end of the day I am proud of what I learned about myself and the amount of work it took me to get here. So thank you for the amazing quarter, I’ll see you again in 2021!

One Week Left

What did you see that you loved at pitches this week? What went well this quarter?

I loved seeing the first ventures that my fellow E4s put together. We all were on our own for the first time in the minor and that felt like a special moment. I also loved seeing how and what the E1s put together. I guess overall I was just excited to see what everyone in the quarter had put together. It felt like this was the first time I had heard and seen any of the projects outside my E level’s.

As for what went well, ummm right now it didn’t feel like anything went well. The only thing I can think that went well was the increase in connection and support I felt from my E level. After the last quarter I am so glad I got to create that event with them, but working as colleagues in a larger organization in different department helping each other out, feels way more natural. I am really enjoying the dynamic our team has at the moment. As for me, I am proud of how many times I got back up when I was downed. I feel battered and injured in my mind, but I was able to get up and try again each time. And that feels like the biggest accomplishment in the world right now.

Anyways, I now have the mountain of a work load to complete before VP2 is due, wish me luck!

PITCH Tomorrow

Between now and Final Pitches, what traction steps do you need to make?

Between now and Pitch I need to finalize my Pitch deck, practice, and create some of the documentation for my journey. This seems overwhelming right now, as I have never Pitched on my own, and I am terrified that I forgot something. This quarter has felt like I am flying blind and just can’t seem to get my vision cleared. So putting my Pitch deck together has been a huge mess and I am more stressed than I have ever been for a presentation. I really hope I have everything together. Tomorrow I am going to practice a bit on my own and the hopefully someone in the community wants to practice together. Who knows if that can calm my nerves though. Lastly, the documentation. I think I completely forgot how much documentation we have to do in this class. I fell like it has snuck up on me, and maybe that’s because I am working all on my own this quarter. Oh well. Here’s to be proud of what I have done, no matter what happens tomorrow.

Cheers!