Whether you are graduating from kindergarten (hi Declan Watson!👋 ) or from high school (like my niece Skye!🙋♀️ ) first of all, CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!!!! 🎉 While we cannot throw you a fabulous graduation party, know that your loved ones are proud of you! I am one of those people who love graduation ceremonies (I know, weird). Those robes and funny hats, shiny tassels and cool neck accessories, the gorgeous floral displays and bouquets, the balloon decor and organ music, even the keynote speakers all make my insides dance. 💃
While I do not have a great commencement address (talk about pressure!), here is advice from some of our greatest modern leaders. If I may be so bold to add to this great wisdom, I would say, remember that no one has it all figured out, hold high standards, but remind yourself to have grace and patience with yourself and others. Remember to take care of your physical, emotional, and mental health. Having fun, is important, too!🥳
Bob Iger, Executive Chairman of The Walt Disney Company and former CEO at Disney
“No matter how successful you are, and no matter how good or great the world thinks you are, it’s still really important to not let it go to your head.” Also, travel and learn. “If you don’t go, you won’t grow.”
Jessica Pels, youngest Editor in Chief of Cosmopolitan Magazine at age 32 (and former ballet dancer!)
“Apply for everything you're not qualified for. If you have the belief that you can do it, you can. Skills can be learned. It's the passion and the drive that is rarer. I have been interviewing candidates for jobs for a decade, and it's shocking to me how few of them have ever said, ‘I want this job. I love what this company does.’ I think that really does make you stand out and can help you overcome obstacles.”
Steve Jobs, former CEO and co-founder of Apple, Inc.
When he was 17, Jobs read a quote that would have an impact on him for the rest of his life:
"If you live each day as if it was your last, someday you'll most certainly be right."
For the rest of his life, he would begin each day by standing in front of the mirror and asking himself a question:
"If today were the last day of my life, would I want to do what I am about to do today?"
Glennon Doyle, #1 New York Times Bestselling author, activist
“My best piece of career advice is to value and love the people you are serving more than the product you are serving. For example, I just had to cancel an entire book tour, I canceled it because of the coronavirus and it was a pretty early call. It was a couple of weeks ago. It was a tough call to make. I remember sitting in my hotel room and just crying, thinking, "Oh my God, this book "Untamed" is the most beautiful thing I've ever created in my career and now I have to cancel it."
Then I realized that's not true at all. The most beautiful thing I've ever created in my career is the community that I am giving this book to, and so I need to do whatever it takes to make sure that those people are protected, not that this book gets in their hands. I think when we value and prioritize the people we are serving and the people we are serving with, our employees, our employers, whoever these people are, we always end up in the right place. It might not be the right short term, might not make us the most money or opportunity in the short term, but in the long term, it builds up trust, and trust is the only real currency right now."
Oprah Winfrey, the queen of media
“You are indeed the chosen class for such a time as this, the Class of 2020. You’re also a united class, the pandemic class, that has the entire world striving to graduate with you. But even though there may not be pomp because of our circumstances, never has a graduating class been called to step into the future with more purpose, vision, passion and energy and hope. Your graduation ceremony is taking place with so many luminaries celebrating you on the world’s Facebook stage, and I’m just honored to join them and salute you."
Tony Robbins, author, public speaker, life coach, and philanthropist
“Successful people ask better questions, and as a result, they get better answers.”
“The way we communicate with others and with ourselves ultimately determines the quality of our lives.”
Sara Blakely, founder and CEO of Spanx, youngest self-made female billionaire
Embrace failure as proof that you tried something difficult. Every week growing up, her father would ask her reflect on something she'd failed at.
"I didn't realize at the time how much this advice would define not only my future, but my definition of failure. I have realized as an entrepreneur that so many people don't pursue their idea because they were scared or afraid of what could happen. My dad taught me that failing simply just leads you to the next great thing."
Stephen Curry, 6x NBA All-Star, 2x NBA MVP, point guard Golden State Warriors
“Invest in your community. Invest in the success of others. It’s not about being the only one that succeeds; it’s about multiplying to many.”
Warren Buffet, chairman and CEO of Berkshire Hathaway
Invest in quality.
“It’s far better to buy a wonderful company at a fair price than a fair company at a wonderful price.”
Work hard without expecting any praise.
“Beware the investment activity that produces applause; the great moves are usually greeted by yawns.”
Running shoes (and gift certificates) make excellent college and high school graduation gifts. Shameless plug, but true! Times are stressful for graduates and running/walking/working out is a great way to combat stress and to get and stay healthy! Thanks for reading!
Above photo: day I became a Gator Alumna!🐊 (MS in organic chemistry👩🔬). And my bestie came to cheer for me when I walked across the stage - thanks, AE! 💗🎓
Stay well and happy running/walking!
Betsy
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