I assembled this Top 10 list when I was asked to present the keynote address at a Scholarship Luncheon in honor of college-bound students in the Pomona Unified School District.
Surround yourself with people smarter than you.
Surround yourself with positivity.
When people are negative or discouraging, move on. “Ain’t nobody got time for that.”
Don’t be afraid to ask for help. People like to help. Especially while you’re young. When people ask me for advice, or for help, I consider it a compliment. So don’t be too proud to seek support of guidance.
Build your personal board of directors.
Never stop learning. Always put yourself in situations where you are out of your comfort zone. That's the best way to grow and get past your weak points.
“Be brave veering on foolish.” (Richard Branson)
Stop waiting for a permission slip. Don’t be your own worst gatekeeper.
Glass Balls v Rubber Balls - I have subscribed to the “Glass Balls vs. Rubber Ball” theory introduced 20+ years ago at a Georgia Tech commencement speech by Bryan Dyson, then the President and CEO of Coca-Cola Enterprises. He explained: "Imagine life as a game in which you are juggling some five balls in the air. You name them - work, family, health, friends and spirit - and you're keeping all of these in the air. You will soon understand that work is a rubber ball. If you drop it, it will bounce back. But the other four balls - family, health, friends and spirit - are made of glass. If you drop one of these, they will be irrevocably scuffed, marked, nicked, damaged or even shattered. They will never be the same. You must understand that and strive for balance in your life." I try to remind myself and my colleagues about this on a regular basis. We all work really hard, but we certainly make time for the people and things that are important to us. So when I’m not working, I’m delicately managing the glass balls in my life.
Things manifest. Hotseat. “Put something together.”
Never be boring. Life is short. Enjoy the people, places and challenges you enjoy as often as feasibly possible.
Remain curious. Remain curious. Actively seek new ideas, diverse points of view and learning opportunities. Ask people for advice regularly - you can choose what to do with it, but make informed decisions based on other people’s experience | Break out of your comfort zone. Chase a better you. Never stop learning. Never stop growing. Always look ahead at the next big thing.