I still remember sitting in the folding chair listening to my high school graduation commencement speech. Sure, it was almost ten years ago (!), but when it’s delivered by former Secretary of State, General Colin Powell (and grandfather to one of my high school friends and fellow graduates)…you listen and take note.
Like any great commencement speech, General Powell inspired us with helpful, yet relatable anecdotes and simple takeaways that can be applied in everyday life. He shared with us that he went off the college with a solid C average, and had little sense of direction. But he soon found a sense of purpose when he joined the ROTC program in college, and then he gave it every single thing he had. It’s apparent that his military career that followed reflects that very drive, as he persevered and dealt with failures by learning from them, rather than wasting time coming up with excuses for them.
I’m sure you’ve seen several 2016 commencement speeches go viral in the past few weeks, and for good reason. If you haven’t taken the time to listen to any, I really suggest you carve out an hour this week to do so. I started my week with a cup of coffee and started with Sheryl Sandberg’s speech, and it served as a great, simple reminder for me to change my outlook on several things. Click on the image above to pan through the slideshow to watch the speeches and read my favorite takeaways we can all benefit from applying to our everyday. Cheers, Kat
P.S. For more inspiration, be sure to check out NPR’s comprehensive list of the best commencement speeches of all time! xo
