Cook distilled his entire speech into this single principle. He had arrived at it through his own improbable journey — from growing up on the Gulf Coast to becoming one of the most powerful executives in technology. His 25-year plan from business school, he told the graduates, 'wasn't worth the yellowed paper it was written on.' Life throws curveballs, and you can't count on a predictable path if you want to swing for the fences. But you can prepare, quoting Lincoln: 'I will prepare, and someday my chance will come.' When the right door opens and your gut says 'this is my moment,' you must be ready — and then you must execute with everything you have.