The world is hungry for professionalism. If you're professional and they're not — if you show up on time every morning and get the job done and they show up two hours later spouting clever excuses — then nine times out of ten, you will win and they will lose.
speech graduation discipline
Terry Teachout
Rollins College Hamilton Holt School Commencement 2011, 2011
You get to make your own luck. Eighty percent of success in your career will come from just showing up. The world is run by those who show up — not those who wait to be asked.
speech graduation perseverance
Steve Blank
Philadelphia University Commencement 2011, 2011
Hard work does not always pay off. If you're working on the wrong thing, it doesn't matter how hard you work, nothing will ever come of it. Hard work is important — just make sure you're working on the right thing.
speech graduation discipline
David Cote
University of New Hampshire Commencement 2011, 2011
Creativity is not something you are, it's something you do. You have to work at it.
speech graduation creativity
Tom Brinck
Art Institute of California Commencement 2011, 2011
Work hard, be kind, and amazing things will happen.
speech graduation discipline
Conan O'Brien
Dartmouth College Commencement 2011, 2011
Intuition is critical in virtually everything you do, but without relentless preparation and execution, it is meaningless.
speech graduation discipline
Tim Cook
Auburn University Commencement 2010, 2010
Trust your intuition and then work with everything you have to prove it right.
speech graduation passion
Tim Cook
Auburn University Commencement 2010, 2010
Build a good name. Let your name radiate yourself, magnify who you are, your good deeds, your code of honor. Build your name and as you go through life, your name will serve you.
speech graduation authenticity
Patti Smith
Pratt Institute Commencement 2010, 2010
Do more than just dream; create a vision. When you dream you are in an unconscious state. It ends. You wake up. It's not real. You need to create a vision. This takes determination, and a plan that takes your dream to a destination.
speech graduation ambition
Roger Goodell
UMass Lowell Commencement, 2010, 2010
Don't let yourself get comfortable. Avoid the comfort zone. Being uncomfortable will motivate you and cause you to grow faster.
speech graduation courage
Roger Goodell
UMass Lowell Commencement, 2010, 2010
Your odds of success in things you attempt go up radically if you are methodical and diligent.
speech graduation discipline
Jamie Hyneman
Villanova University Commencement 2010, 2010
Everything worthwhile is hard. Some sacrifices aren't worthwhile.
speech graduation discipline
Bobby Knight
Trine University Commencement 2010, 2010