High school and college graduations can provide inspiration, ideas, and nuggets of knowledge from the voices of the next workforce generation and their teachers. So if you have one to attend take along a pad and pen and prepare to be impressed by these young and upcoming minds and the alumni that preceded them.
I was in Arlington for my nephew’s college graduation a few weeks ago. The keynote speaker imparted 8 bits of wisdom for the 2010 exiting class. This advice is quite valuable for both aspiring and accomplished scribes as well.
1. Take Care Of Your Reputation – It’s better to focus on prevention rather than repair when it comes to your reputation. Sometimes one small slip up can compound into a huge catastrophe that can absorb valuable time to fix. The line between personal and business is almost invisible these days due to the global reach of individuals, employers, family, and friends. Be observant of how you spend your time and with who, and most importantly, where the visual evidence appears. Character traits such as, integrity, honesty, and generosity will carry you a long way in life, whatever writing endeavors you decide to embark upon.
2. Motivation And Talent – These two are an unbeatable combination. But if all you start with is the motivation and drive to become a best selling writer, you can acquire and improve upon the scribal talent. If however, you have all the talent in the world you will be stalled if you lack the motivation to do whatever it takes to succeed.
3. Planning The Rest Of Your Life – Planning is a necessity to get what you want out of this ‘one shot’ at living the life you desire. Just make sure your schedule isn’t so rigid that you miss out on unexpected opportunities that arise. Some of the most wonderful and the most challenging events you will never see coming.
4. Concentrate On Present Opportunities – Don’t get so caught up in the future that you miss what’s right in front of you. Stay engaged in all the scintillating moments of life. Be prepared to enjoy the predictable and the spontaneous. Set goals but understand that part of your writing future will remain unknown until it appears.
5. Selfless Pursuits – Participate in activities outside of your daily duties. Nothing changes your perception like volunteering for those that are ill or less fortunate. Being grateful for what you have and giving back helps you enjoy the rest of your life even more.
6. Keep Learning – Knowledge is a process and learning new information keeps your brain waves electrified and your inner scribe pumping out fresh material on a regular basis for novels, blogs, articles, ebooks, and any other path that ignites your passion.
7. Life Happens While You’re Making Plans – Set big goals and prioritize what’s most important to their accomplishment. Do something every day towards achieving your largest dreams so it feels like you’re pulling them closer. We all experience issues that crop up and can cause your goals to be pushed farther away if you don’t place a strong emphasis on their significance by reminding yourself consistently of why you need to remain persistent.
8. Life Is Not A Spectator Sport - Treat the completion of your writing projects like you’re on a constant deadline. Do your research, pen quality copy, and diligently edit the finished product, but with the recognition that each opportunity to present your work to an audience is not a dress rehearsal but the real performance. Read and study your favorite authors but not instead of becoming one to your adoring fans.
Whether you’re just starting to find your way down the authorial trail or are firmly entrenched in your writing endeavors, these 8 pieces of advice are worthy of attention and will help you live a complete well-rounded life.
What worthwhile advice or ideas have you received from high school or college graduations you’ve attended? How has it helped to improve your writing?
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