Given that it is high school and college graduation time, I felt compelled to share something I came across in an email from a friend. Like you, I get bombarded with forwarded emails all of the time. More times than not, I hit ‘delete’ without reading… but occasionally I open (depending on who it’s from and what the subject line is!).
I have been writing this weekly blog for over 3 years and 99% of the entries have been my thoughts, my opinions, and my perspective. But I received an email early this morning and found it so moving – and so ‘on the money’ – I just had to post it. I hope you feel the same way.
Please pay this forward and share it with every ‘graduate’ you know. What follows is an email I received that included a graduation commencement address from Mr. Jon Gordon. I have not altered a thing nor added my 2 cents…
Positive Tip: 11 Lessons for Graduates ~ by Jon Gordon, www.JonGordon.com
1. You are here for a reason and the most important thing you can do in life is to find, live and share your purpose. It’s the one thing in life that truly matters and if you don’t pursue it, everything else is meaningless.
2. Follow your passion. It so often leads you to your purpose. Do what energizes you.
3. You may not know what your passion is right now. That’s OK. The important thing is to make it your life mission to find it, live it and share it. To help find your passion, seek out jobs and experiences that allow you to use your strengths and gifts.
4. Beware of hobbies. Just because you love spending time on Facebook doesn't mean you would enjoy working for the company. And just because you love to cook doesn't mean you would enjoy owning a restaurant. For example, I owned restaurants but I realized I didn't love the food business. I loved the service and marketing aspect of the business.
5. Quit for the right reasons. Don't quit because work is hard or you're experiencing challenges. Quit because in your heart you know there is something else for you to do. Quit because you are not benefitting yourself or the organization you work for. Quit because you are absolutely certain you are no longer supposed to be there.
6. Learn from every job and experience. Every job, good or bad, prepares you for the work you were ultimately born to do.
7. Whatever job(s) you take after graduation simply decide to serve. When you serve in small ways you will get more opportunities to serve in bigger ways.
8. Your dream job is likely not the one you dreamed about. So often we end up in amazing careers that have nothing to do with our college degree or childhood dreams.
9. The quest for your purpose is not a straight line. It is filled with mystery, signs, obstacles, victories, dead ends, delays and detours. Your job is to stay optimistic and faithful on your quest.
10. Don't rush the future. There is a process that seeds must go through in order to become all they are destined to become, and you must go through this same process to become the person you are meant to be and do the work you are meant to do. You may want things to happen NOW, but more than likely if you got what you wanted NOW, you wouldn't be ready for it. The purpose process prepares you, strengthens you, shapes you and grows you to be successful, not in your time, but in the right time.
11. Be the Seed. Seeds surrender themselves to the ground so they can be used for a greater purpose. Wherever you work, decide to plant yourself where you are and allow yourself to be used for a greater purpose. When you plant yourself and make a difference you grow into the person you were born to be and produce a harvest that will benefit others and change the world.
Wow, powerful stuff! I am so thankful that I have found my purpose in life and am, literally, ‘livin’ the dream.’
I look forward to passing this concept on to Luke & Jack (‘Born Backcourt’) as I wholehearted believe it is one of the most valuable gifts a parent can pass to their children.
I am in the process of writing another blog, ‘Basketball Politics’, as well as editing a YouTube video (‘Footwork Training for Basketball’)… both will be posted later this week!
Now go find your purpose… or help someone find theirs.
Alan Stein
www.StrongerTeam.com
www.Twitter.com/AlanStein
www.Facebook.com/StrongerTeam
www.YouTube.com/StrongerTeamDotCom
PS: Monday-Thursday of this week (May 23-26th, 2011) I will post a 'Question on the 9's'... at 9:00am and 9:00pm (EST)… on Twitter and Facebook. The first person to match my answer wins!
Winners get a Deuce Brand G2 watch (www.DeuceBrand.com). I'll announce both winners the following day at 12pm (EST)! Come join the fun!