Graduation Speeches

Over the last few weeks we have had the pleasure of going to three different college graduations. We already know that none of the graduates have any idea what any of the speakers said. Do you remember anything from the person who spoke at your graduation? I didn’t think so. I have even given a speech at a graduation and I don’t even remember what I said.

So I thought I would pay extra attention and today share one thing I took away from each speech.

1. Invest in Yourself – the first speaker gave a very practical speech and this is what I took away from him. Gosh I wish those graduates had actually been listening. This is GREAT advice. He simply told them to put a little of their paycheck away in savings for themselves. Yes, we should refer to our savings as investing in ourselves. Maybe that would make it easier for people to do. Listen, we can only eat, wear and drive so much, we really should invest in ourselves.
2. What will you do with you have – This was the challenge issued by the second speaker. I also thought this was a good point. People spend so much time and energy planning what other people should have done, or should do or what they would do if they were that person. Well we would probably all be better off if we just focused on what we will do with what we have – our time, our talents, our money. We can all do something…..what will you do?
3. The third speaker encouraged the graduates to actively listen. There are a whole lot of words going on in the world. Maybe we could have less in quantity and more in quality if we actually listen to each other. Sometimes I think people are talking excessively because they know we are filtering out so much. Maybe if we actually listen we’d all be more thoughtful about what we are saying.

Who knows what the graduates got from their speakers or if they heard anything at all. At least we got three good take aways. Hey and if you have a speech to give, there you have three good points to get you started.

See you back on Friday!