The One-Minute Graduation Speaker 622.1
I’ve given my share of commencement addresses, and I confess it’s a head-swelling experience to tell a captive crowd how you think they ought to live their lives while wearing an academic robe and a very silly hat. After all, didn’t they come primarily to hear what you have to say? Actually, they didn’t. In fact, graduation speakers are impediments to the real goal of the day – celebration, not reflection.
So what we need is a good one-minute graduation speech. Here’s my effort:
“Okay, folks, you got your degrees. Now you have to move toward other goals. If you don’t have any, borrow the goals of the person next to you. They’re probably as good as any, and besides, true success isn’t always getting what you think you want but learning to want what you get. Perhaps the most important thing you can do is prepare yourself to deal with unavoidable ups and downs and unexpected turns that are almost certain to scuttle the best-laid plans.
“Take control of your life by taking control of your attitudes. Remember, pain and disappointment are inevitable, but tough times are temporary. Persist with confidence that no negative emotion can withstand your will to be happy.
“Listen to both your heart and your head. Pursue your passions, but don’t confuse feelings with facts, fun with happiness, or pleasure with fulfillment. Live within your means. Don’t sacrifice a thousand tomorrows for a few todays.
“Be especially careful of choices that can jeopardize your health, reputation, or important relationships. Safeguard your integrity. You never know when you’ll need it.
“Finally, don’t settle for a little life. Fill it with purpose and meaning and people worthy of your love and respect.”
This is Michael Josephson reminding you that character counts.
Subscribe
Comments
The line "True success isn’t always getting what you think you want but learning to want what you get" is an excellent reminder - one I needed to hear today. Thanks.
Posted by: Pamela | June 5, 2009 9:50 AM
Thanks again for making life a little bit more enjoyable.
Posted by: Lee | June 6, 2009 3:30 PM
Your comments about life were very important, but you know you cannot leave God out.
Posted by: Angela | June 11, 2009 7:43 PM
Right on, Michael!
Posted by: Bob Parker | June 11, 2009 11:17 PM
I too have heard my share of commencement addresses. I recall only a few. I agree, the shorter and simpler the better. A favorite is a keynote address for college grads that recounted the topics of the book All I Ever Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten.
Posted by: Jim | June 12, 2009 9:00 AM
So simple, but so true!
Posted by: Khary | June 12, 2009 10:37 AM
Thumbs up. As a retired professional tennis player, I've had the extreme honor of speaking at a high school graduation. When asked, I immediately remembered how flippin' boring and long-winded my HS grad speaker was. I vowed if I ever had the chance to speak at a graduation, I would never do that to kids on their big day.
I recalled an article on Winston Churchill speaking at his alma mater. Churchill said five words, "Never, never, never give up." Of course, profound words by the great orator, but only five words.
I joked with friends, "I am not about to be outdone by Winston Churchill!" I added an extra word of encouragement.
My address was six words: "Never, never, never, NEVER...give up."
I grinned, walked away, and the kids went NUTS as they cheered.
I'm sure a good 70-30 percent ratio of happy it was short to I can dig it words of wisdom.
Short, to the point, motivational and more importantly memorable.
I have been fortunate enough to have crossed paths with kids from that class and they still remark what a memorable and valuable speech that turned out to be to them.
Time, we all have it. Will you choose to invest or squander? The choice is totally yours.
Posted by: Shawna Levins | June 18, 2009 4:55 AM
This one-minute speech is great. It is straight, to the point, honest, and meaningful.
Keep up the great work.
Posted by: Mark A. Kent | June 18, 2009 5:28 AM
There's a story about Muhammad Ali giving a speech at the Harvard graduation ceremony. At the time he was at the height of his fame and prowess as an athlete and a poet. The graduates were thrilled to have such a popular and controversial figure provide their commencement address. They were hoping he would compose one of his amazing poems and provide words of wisdom from his continuing experiences in dealing with adversity.
He was introduced, took the podium, looked over the assembled group of expectant students, distinguished guests, faculty, and parents. He then gave what is considered the shortest graduation speech ever. He simply said, "We." And then sat down to an increasingly thunderous standing ovation.
Posted by: Rey Carr | June 19, 2009 6:48 AM
Rey Carr's story above is incorrect. Ali gave a fairly typical Senior Day speech, at the end of which he was asked by someone in the audience to recite a poem. His response was "Me, we."
Posted by: Larry | July 22, 2009 3:22 PM