I attended a high school graduation where the Keynote speaker gave a quite blunt but persuasive speech . The main point of the address was that as children, there were always people around to make them happy. The speaker then said that now that you have graduated , you are responsible for your own happiness. It’s not your parent’s responsibility, it’s no longer your teachers’ responsibility, and it’s not your boss’ responsibility. It is solely your responsibility.
The other topic of importance was a few comments about work ethic. The Keynote speaker said to the graduating class that for every job they apply for, there will be several hundred other applications. That in order to succeed , they have to set themselves apart from the rest of the crowd. To do so, she said:
- Don’t just be on time to work. Be there early .
- When your supervisor needs help after work to finish a project, you be the one that stays
- When you are in a college class , sit in the front row and show your professors you take your education seriously
- If your lab needs cleaning up after class, be the one that stays to clean up .
This will show employers that they can depend on you and will be willing to give you a good recommendation or promotion.
She went on to say that most people are minimalists. They do the absolute bare minimum of what is required . You need to be a maximalists. Go beyond what is asked of you . Do each assignment to the best of your ability. Knowing you have done a good job makes you feel good inside and will result in you being happy. Do not connect happiness to money. Try to do something you love.
Often as parents, we tend to want to protect our kids and try to make them happy. When they are adults, they are not under momma’s wing and have to forage for themselves. Let’s teach them how to be independent, let’s teach them to do their very best and never to accept the minimum. There is an intrinsic good feeling of doing a good job. Let’s show this to our children earlier in their lives. This was an inspirational keynote speech, but I think the lesson should be taught at a much earlier age. As parents, we need to gradually let our children learn lessons of the intrinsic feelings of a job well done. We have to give constructive criticism and tell/ask their children:
- You could have done a better job
- What would you do next time to improve your work ?
- Is this your best work ? (As a parent, you will be able to tell when your children are doing their best )
This will direct them be a productive and happy member of the community . If our new graduates know that happiness is in their hands, the ability to become happy is in their control. Control of one’s happiness is very powerful and allows people reach happiness.
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