Over coffee this morning, I came across a post about eight inspirational take-aways from commencement speeches. It reminds me (as I am seduced of late by the temptation to settle into the status quo and stop pushing so hard to forge my own path) that striving to create, and trying to make a difference in this world, is worth the effort.
The speakers' advice, in a nutshell, is listed below. Don't bypass the original post though, it is worth the read - and you absolutely deserve to take a few minutes for some personal inspiration....
(1) Persevere.
Have bold, innovative ideas...keep trying to disrupt the status quo and usher in a better way.
(2) Be a Kirk rather than a Spock.
In pursuing business success, do not neglect the emotional side of life.
(3) Venture out of your comfort zone (regularly)
Make bold bets and focus on what you love. "Not a single successful person ... has ever done great things because they played it safe."
(4) Stay curious.
"Learning is a treasure that will follow its owner everywhere." -Chinese proverb
(5) Value human connections.
Meet others, network and connect not for the sake of having a network, but because it inspires us to do something, to take action and to make a difference in the world.
(6) Join in the dance of uncertainty.
Uncertainty compels us to unfold our power. "Uncertainty means that the future is yours to shape, with the force of your will, the force of your intellect and the force of your compassion."
(7) Redefine success.
"There will be plenty of signposts along your path directing you to make money and climb up the ladder, there will be very few signposts reminding you to stay connected to the essence of who you are, to take care of yourself, to reach out to others."
(8) Make the world a better place.
"At the end of your days when you look back...it's about what you created, about what you did to make the world a slightly better place because you were here."
The speakers' advice, in a nutshell, is listed below. Don't bypass the original post though, it is worth the read - and you absolutely deserve to take a few minutes for some personal inspiration....
(1) Persevere.
Have bold, innovative ideas...keep trying to disrupt the status quo and usher in a better way.
(2) Be a Kirk rather than a Spock.
In pursuing business success, do not neglect the emotional side of life.
(3) Venture out of your comfort zone (regularly)
Make bold bets and focus on what you love. "Not a single successful person ... has ever done great things because they played it safe."
(4) Stay curious.
"Learning is a treasure that will follow its owner everywhere." -Chinese proverb
(5) Value human connections.
Meet others, network and connect not for the sake of having a network, but because it inspires us to do something, to take action and to make a difference in the world.
(6) Join in the dance of uncertainty.
Uncertainty compels us to unfold our power. "Uncertainty means that the future is yours to shape, with the force of your will, the force of your intellect and the force of your compassion."
(7) Redefine success.
"There will be plenty of signposts along your path directing you to make money and climb up the ladder, there will be very few signposts reminding you to stay connected to the essence of who you are, to take care of yourself, to reach out to others."
(8) Make the world a better place.
"At the end of your days when you look back...it's about what you created, about what you did to make the world a slightly better place because you were here."
