14 Life Lessons From 2015 Commencement Speeches
1 Trust Yourself
I want you all to stay true to the most real, most sincere, most authentic parts of yourselves. I want you to ask those basic questions: Who do you want to be? What inspires you?How do you want to give back?And then I want you to take a deep breath and trust yourselves to chart your own course and make your mark on the world. First Lady Michelle Obama at Tuskegee University
2 Dont Let Others Judge You
As you go out in the world, youll find that people are always quick to define you, to pigeonhole you, to whittle you down to their preconceived notions which brings me to my point: Never let others define you. Define yourselves. Actor Ed Helms at the University of Virginia
3 Take Action
The sidelines are not where you want to live your life. The world needs you in the arena. There are problems that need to be solved. Injustices that need to be ended. People that are still being persecuted. Diseases still in need of cure. No matter what you do next, the world needs your energy, your passion, your impatience for progress. Don't shrink from risk. And tune out those critics and cynics. History rarely yields to one person, but think, and never forget, what happens when it does. That can be you. That should be you. That must be you. Apple CEO Tim Cook at The George Washington University
4 Follow Your Intuition
From this day forward, you will have to rely not on grades or guidance from professors to tell you how youre doing and where you stand. You will have to rely, instead, on an inner compass; whether that compass is true will determine whether you become a drifter who is blown about by every breeze; or a doer, an active citizen determined to chart your own course, question your assumptions, and, when necessary, sail unafraid against strong winds. Former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright at Tufts University
5 Be Yourself
Only authenticity will keep your head on straight and your feet firmly planted. So dont strive for somebody elses notion of perfection. Its an unattainable and ultimately ridiculous goal. Strive instead to be uniquely yourself. And, when in doubt, listen to your gut, because it already knows what you want to become. Journalist and TV Host Meredith Vieira at Boston University
6 Its Okay to Fake It
First, and this is foundational, if you want to change the world, start by acting as if. Prior generations have put this a different way Fake it til you make it. US Ambassador to the United Nations Samantha Power at University of Pennsylvania
7 Dont Stop Learning
Keep reaching. Keep seeking. Keep using your abilities to bring out the best in those around you, and let them bring out the best in you. Become the next great generation! You can and you willdare I say it, change the world! Scientist Bill Nye at Rutgers University
8 Create Your Own Set of Standards
People my age will sometimes say to you, Hey, that work you did, that thing you said, that cause you championed, its not good. Well, having your own standards will help you weather moments like that. Having your own standards allows you to perceive success where others may see failure. TV Host Stephen Colbert at Wake Forest University
9 Take Some Time to Really Think
Now is the time to consider all the infinite possibilities with introspection, deliberation and thoughtfulness. Visualize the road ahead. Think about what excites you, what really gets your engine going. Engage in some real soul searching. Take a good, hard look at your strengths and weaknesses. A fulfilling professional life can be found at the intersection of what you love and what youre good at. And when you think youve discovered it, go at it full throttle. Journalist Katie Couric at University of Wisconsin-Madison
http://www.realsimple.com/work-life/2015-commencement-speeches?iid=feat-story-1
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Important messages on life lessons, learning, the past and the future delivered to graduates by celebrities speaking at commencement ceremonies around the nations.
A challenging time for the graduates and the first big step as they begin their professional lives
So much in the way of bad feelings, grief and the erosion of the quality of life could be avoided if more people would adopt this as their mantra.
All of the advice is quite good. The ''thinking'' comment is, to me, probably one of the best.
Seems that if more people choose this, there would be less strife in the world.
Very wise words!!
A Mac
What can I say in response to that, except "You're right!"
Thanks for the perspective
Kavika
That is indeed sage advice, but it struck me that just as important was "Don't stop learning" and "Be Yourself". Today's ever changing technology demands constant leaning of new things and there is nothing worse than a phony in my estimation.
Thanks for the feedback
Nona
Thanks for stopping by