My Words Of Commencement To Graduates

I don’t usually do posts like this, but I thought I’d share one today. This is going to be a very personal and transparent post where I share my words of commencement to graduates. I haven’t delivered this to any University so these are just my thoughts assembled within a blog post.

Just 2 years ago, I was sitting in a classroom with many of you who have or are soon going to be graduating. A whirlwind of thoughts have been running through my mind the last few days. That could have been me standing next to you with a cap and gown waiting to pick up my diploma.

If I had stayed on that path, my parents would have been so proud. All they kept telling me was, “What will everyone in our family say when they find out that you didn’t get your degree?”

There are always what if’s in the world. Every day you are faced with hundreds if not thousands of different choices and paths you can take. I quickly snap back to reality and realize that I made the best decision ever in my life.

I decided to chase happiness over money, reputations and anything else that can be a motive for those seeking a degree. I’m not here today to say college is good or bad, but rather to share some words of wisdom with those who are moving forward in their lives.

Life as an entrepreneur has its ups and down. Just like anything else in the world, there are the good days and there are the bad days. One thing has never changed since the day I started.

I have never been happier in my life. You will be presented with so many options as you continue your journey and enter the workforce. I am here to tell you today that life is too short to be doing shit that doesn’t make you happy.

See, I could have listened to my parents and sacrificed another 2 years and tried graduating from college. However, I knew I wouldn’t be happy through the process and even after.

It doesn’t matter what you majored in and what your degree says you’re knowledgeable in, there is no greater driving force than passion. I woke up this morning at 4:30 AM excited as ever to start another day in my life.

We think we know what we really want, but then we quickly realize we were wrong all along. Most of us sacrifice our own beliefs and happiness to continue trudging along a path that we know is full of misery. My question to you is, why?

Just rewind back to 4 years ago when many of you were starting college, I knew nothing about the world that engulfs me today. I didn’t know what the word entrepreneur meant, I couldn’t tell you who Richard Branson was and I sure as hell didn’t think you could be successful without college.

After starting numerous businesses, delivering a TEDx talk, writing a best-selling book, speaking at conferences around the world, and so much more, I quickly realized that this was all possible because I had the balls to go after my passions. I encourage you all to do the same.

Try as many different things as you can. Find something that will stick and give you enjoyment. Pursue it with all your heart. I guarantee you that as long as you love what you do and give it a 110% every single day, the money will come.

Congratulations are definitely in order for you graduates. While you figure out where you’re headed next in your journey, just remember my small piece of advice. Don’t let your degree box in the possibilities that are available around you.

photo credit: m00by via photopin cc