NA in the News: Class Acts! Learn more about our Distinguished Alumni being honored next week by the North Allegheny Foundation! https://lnkd.in/eevQBKqj
The euphoric concept that everyone is special and everyone is a winner, even though no commitment and effort is made by the so called "special", creates delusive sense of victory. This leads to a dopamine addiction which everyone must get every now and then to feel good. This habit after some time, becomes a routine requirement amd sense of entitlement to get a quick appreciation without genuine effort. In the long term, this creates an army of narcissistic citizens who are used to a 'certificate of attendance'.
In the long term such "baseless winning" prevents the need for grit and consistent efforts to achieve anything significant and meaningful since the mental reward system that push us to perform consistently towards a certain goal would have already received its dopamine.
This is dangerous and one of the biggest inhibitor in the way of realising one's TRUE POTENTIAL.
Agree?
Watched this with my children.
This is an excellent high school graduation speech from David McCullough Jr., son of famous historian and author David McCullough.
He argues against the "everyone is special" nonsense narrative that seems to have overtaken high schools and little league fields across the country.
Here are a few of my favorite lines:
"If everyone is special, then no one is. If everyone receives a trophy, trophies become meaningless....We've come to love accolades more than genuine achievement. We've come to see them as the point, and we're happy to compromise standards or ignore reality if we suspect that's the quickest way, or the only way, to have something to put on the mantlepiece...Climb the mountain not to plant your flag, but to embrace the challenge, enjoy the air, and behold the view. Climb it so you can see the world, not so the world can see you."
https://lnkd.in/eQRHNW_C
Here is an introduction to Joshua, one of our 2024 GRIL U graduates from the Attic’s site!
Josh is a senior at Link Learning High School. His mission statement is “to influence the youth to accomplish self-worth and wealth.”
Award-winning Global Gender Diversity Speaker, Writer, & Consultant. Certified Mentor
Contact TransMission PR in case of media enquiries: aby@transmissionpr.com.
I saw this post, I recalled some of the best commencement speeches that stick with me.
My own was given in 1996, when I graduated from management studies at the University of Manitoba, by Dave Angus, then President of The Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce. It was about human potential and not setting limiting beliefs.
The 1997 hypothetical commencement speech written by Mary Schmich but made famous by @Baz Luhrmann, "Everybody's Free (To Wear Sunscreen)", also known as "The Sunscreen Song. There is some great advice I still dispense today to others, my favourite is "that some of the most interesting 40-year-olds I know still don't know what they want to be in life."
In 2014, Admiral William H. McRaven's commencement speech at the University of Texas often called the “Make Your Bed” speech. Start your day by doing one thing successfully, even if that is making your bed.
Two recent ones that have caught my mind space;
In 2023, Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker's speech at Northwestern University entitled Would an Idiot Do That caught my attention because of how he spoke about those who deal in cruelty and ignorance.
Finally, Reshma Saujani, Founder of Girl's Can Code, delivered the 2023 commencement speech at Smith's College, which is referred to as the Bicycle Face speech. In it, she dispels Imposter Syndrome in the same way that the historically malady Bicycle Face was used to hold women back.
For my speech, I would use the theme of Acceptance without Understanding™. So much in life can be overcome so that we all coexist together, even though we don't understand. It's not about agreeing or tolerating either.
Like the famous TED talks, which are not on my bucket list as a speaker, neither is giving a commencement speech. If asked, I would say yes to both!
#acceptancewithoutunderstanding#acceptanceforall2050
Executive Vice President and Chief Corporate Affairs Officer at Pfizer, Author of WSJ Bestseller Breaking Through (Harvard Business Review Press)
Exactly one year ago, I was preparing to deliver the commencement speech at my alma mater, Connecticut College, where I asked the graduates to ponder “How to build a better world.” Now, I read a new story nearly every day about one major institution after another cancelling their commencements. I respect and honor the history of student protest, but it’s hard for me to digest that the tension is so great that protest and the commencement tradition cannot co-exist.
Last year, I admired the commencement addresses of Liz Cheney and John McEnroe, who gave speeches titled “You Live in a Free Country. Your Life Can Have a Great and Noble Purpose” and “This Is the Time to Take Your Shots,” respectively. This year, I am looking at award-winning author Brad Meltzer who addressed the University of Michigan Class of 2024 and said: “If you really want to surprise the world, unleash your kindness.”
More than ever, commencement speakers are aware of the power of their words—and the nerves that can bring. If you had the opportunity to address the Class of 2024, what would be your speech’s title or central thesis?
Photo Credit: Jim Berrien
We are pleased to share the Furman University 2023 President's Report with you! In this report, you’ll discover the ways our students are finding their life’s purpose through #TheFurmanAdvantage.
Read it here: https://lnkd.in/g2gyFr9M
1/2 The entrance area that greets visitors to a typical American high school contains two things: evidence (in the form of trophies) that its students triumphed over students from other schools + plaques listing which of its students are better than others.
2/2 Suggested assignment (for administrators, teachers, and kids): Design a school lobby that reflects a commitment to collaboration and community rather than to sorting and triumphing.
https://lnkd.in/g_z-Pq_A
On Education and Sharing Day, we honor the memory of the Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson, who devoted his life to outreach and teaching — building bridges, challenging us to grow, and championing tolerance and learning.
Learn more: https://lnkd.in/g4VNsxYE
What does it mean to be an Aggie? How do we define that "spirit can ne'er be told?"
These students represent the six core values of Texas A&M University and what it means to be an Aggie, on and off campus. These words are descriptors for the lives of those who come to Texas A&M and will serve as inspiration for future generations.
Check out our link to read more: https://bit.ly/3uhiWCz
Managing Director, Public Finance at Janney Montgomery Scott LLC
7moCongratulations Anthony and all other honorees and fellow Tiger alums. Looking forward to being there to celebrate these fabulous NA grads!