You cannot authentically live anyone's life but your own. That is the deal life offers us.
speech graduation authenticity
Gabrielle Giffords
Scripps College Commencement 2009, 2009
Pursue your passion, and everything else will fall into place. This is not being romantic. This is the highest order of pragmatism.
speech graduation passion
Gabrielle Giffords
Scripps College Commencement 2009, 2009
Find the smartest people you can and surround yourself with them. Smart people will challenge you to think harder and in entirely different ways.
speech graduation leadership
Marissa Mayer
Illinois Institute of Technology Commencement 2009, 2009
Find allies rather than adorers. Adorers are people who fawn over you but never tell you when you screw up. Instead, seek out allies who are honest with you when you feel you are not living up to your potential.
speech graduation relationships
Marissa Mayer
Illinois Institute of Technology Commencement 2009, 2009
There is another path to take. It's hard work. You'll be right sometimes, you'll be wrong sometimes. People will doubt you, you'll doubt yourself. But if you are doing something you want and have a passion for, at least you'll have that to guide you.
speech graduation passion
Mike Judge
UC San Diego Commencement 2009, 2009
When you work for other people, they do know what's best for them and for the company. And you should listen to them and be respectful. But they don't know what's best for you. Only you know that.
speech graduation independence
Mike Judge
UC San Diego Commencement 2009, 2009
I had to substitute money with creativity and that's what made all the difference. I had to make a movie in a way that broke the traditional mold and learn not to be a slave to tradition.
speech graduation creativity
Robert Rodriguez
University of Texas at Austin Commencement 2009, 2009
Learn humility and wisdom when you stumble, because it will help you when you succeed.
speech graduation humility
Rahm Emanuel
George Washington University Commencement 2009, 2009
It is what you do during those valleys that will determine the heights of your peaks.
speech graduation resilience
Rahm Emanuel
George Washington University Commencement 2009, 2009
Your great education is what got you the interview, but it is who you truly are that will get you the job.
speech graduation authenticity
Angela Ahrendts
Ball State University Commencement 2008, 2008
The first five minutes of the game does not decide the outcome. It never does.
speech graduation perseverance
Mike Tomlin
Saint Vincent College Commencement 2008, 2008
You will quickly find that true success is measured in how you play the game of life.
speech graduation success
Mike Tomlin
Saint Vincent College Commencement 2008, 2008