It’s commencement season in the good old US of A, which means time for inspiration from some of the world’s foremost thinkers. Some of my favorites include this widely-shared classic from Steve Jobs, as well as this relatively unknown speech by Adrian Tan that tells graduates, “Don’t work. Avoid telling the truth. Be hated.”
But this year, as I think about all of the unforeseen roadblocks, challenges, and big and small victories, this one by celebrated journalist Robert Krulwich comes to mind. Though it was delivered to a graduating class of journalists, it’s incredibly relevant regardless of your field:
Think about NOT waiting your turn.
Instead, think about getting together with friends that you admire, or envy. Think about entrepeneuring. Think about NOT waiting for a company to call you up. Think about not giving your heart to a bunch of adults you don’t know. Think about horizontal loyalty. Think about turning to people you already know, who are your friends, or friends of their friends and making something that makes sense to you together, that is as beautiful or as true as you can make it.
The world, and the path to success, has changed. Are you changing with it?