… to write a commencement speech.
Ok, it’s kind of lame of me to presume to hand out “assignments.” I’m sure most people have a lot more pressing things to do.
Or do you?
I mean, 2009 seems to be the year of slowing down and living meaningfully — or at least trying to — or at least trying to figure out what that even means.
I was just watching Larry Page’s Michigan commencement address. I have to admit, I couldn’t help almost getting a little choked up (and no, it wasn’t due to his dramatic delivery).
I’m just a sucker for people taking personal account of themselves — their ups and downs — and sharing the stories that created the person they became.
The Steve Jobs Stanford address is a lot like that too — though with less do-goodism and more self-aggrandizement. (I’m sure there are many others but these are the first two that come up in the YouTube search results for “commencement address.”)
If there was ever a time it’s ok for some personal reflection (and projection forward) it’s this year — this summer — now…
I remember the guy who gave my commencement address (I mean I remember some of what he said, not his name, unfortunately… he worked at the UN or something): he said people have always talked about “things changing” but now it’s actually true.
That was 2000. I say “now” referring to then because this is the same historical moment. The changes that were starting then are just hitting their stride now. We still don’t know where they’re taking us. We do know that anyone who doubted how deep the changes are turned out to be wrong.
So take a few hours or a few months to figure out what really matters to you — something substantial, generative, and sustainable…
Then compose and deliver your commencement speech. Do it however, wherever you can. Notebook it, blog it, YouTube it, crazyman it to the ducks in the park, whatever. The deadline is September — back to school, or work, or reality.
I’m making this the second official contest sponsored by brianfrank.ca: the prize is an honourary BS degree (use your imagination — I can’t figure out exactly how serious I am).
