Stephen Koppekin describes the foundational lesson he learned in his 20's, a lesson that shaped his education and career goals over the last five+ decades. What are a few lessons you've learned in your 20's that you continue to utilize today.

1. THE LESSON
LEARNED IN MY 20'S
b y S t e p h e n K o p p e k i n
I

2. SECRET
Successful people don’t get
distracted by what other
people are doing.

3. MY STORY
When I was a young
person, I was working in a
plant, turning oil off of
ships to make Crisco.
There was nothing special
about this position--long
hours, little pay.

4. WAKE UP MOMENT
I didn’t see the need for an
advanced education or a
higher life purpose. But all
of that changed the day a
wood beam fell on my head
at work. I woke up in the
hospital with a concussion
and a new dream.

5. THE REALIZATION
I wanted more in life.

6. NEXT STEPS
This was more than a
metaphorical lesson, it was
a painful one—and it
spurred me to take a new
path. I enrolled in college,
then law school. I landed a
great job right after school.
In short, I spent my life
working hard.

7. QUESTION:
How can I describe the
value of my education?

8. ANSWER:
This was my ticket out of the small
New Jersey town where I was
raised. This was the ticket into a
world where critical thinking and
rationality was the preferred
method of solving problems. This
was the ticket for me to make that
climb out of my working class
background, a stretch--a reach
towards a brighter future.

9. TAKE HEART
I won't tell you it was easy. But I will
tell you that a similar path is
achievable today. It begins with the
right attitude and a desire to better
your life.

10. MY ADVICE?
Students should enter college ready
to read and write and study a vast
amount of subjects. They should be
educated beyond their preferred
major and they should be
encouraged to develop hard skills
throughout their.

11. THE OUTCOME
Teaching students to enjoy learning
should be the new priority. If we can
accomplish that--we'll be raising a
population of curious and open-
minded students for life.

12. FINAL THOUGHTS
Looking back on my years of life, I
am grateful for all of the
opportunites that I've encountered.
And I know that not everyone is as
lucky as me. But I can tell you from
experience—if a 2x4 lands on your
head at work, don’t take it as
coincidence.

13. BE ENGAGED
Read more. Study more. Grow more.
You’ve got one great and wonderful
life to live.

14. HUSTLE UNTIL YOUR HATERS
ASK IF YOU ARE HIRING
S t e v e M a r a b o l i