Believe in yourself and don’t bail on your dreams at the first feelings of discomfort.
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I had a conversation about bowties. I like to wear a bowtie from time to time, and have become quite adept at tying them. In fact, I can do it without a mirror. I’ll give myself a glance to make sure it’s not too askew or floppy- I don’t want to look like a clown. A friend remarked they could have used my help preparing her son for his high school graduation. I said I wouldn’t be able to show him anything “except how to make fireworks in to bigger fireworks, and new (old) rappers to listen to.” It was a throwaway joke, but I thought about it later as my brain was unpacking the day. What could I teach/tell this young man? What would I liked to have heard at his age, what lessons were painfully learned from experience years later, after being hammered on by all tarnation before? What should I be doing even now, when I know better, but don’t?
10 pieces of advice for male graduates
1) Be able to communicate respectfully and professionally when required.
Use all the slang you want when you are hanging out with friends. If you’re talking to an admissions counselor, police officer, or job interviewer, clean it up. Think about what you’re projecting.
2) Don’t burn bridges.
The World is small, and interconnected. Whether you run into someone again or not, your reputation matters, and may close doors for you. Be gracious and humble, and treat everyone you encounter with respect.
3) Not everyone wants to fight you.
Some people may, but dude-chill.
4) The decisions you make today may not matter immediately, but will be greatly impactful as you age.
You can’t eat garbage forever, especially once your metabolism slows down. Take the time to warm up and cool down with sports and exercise.
5) Work toward becoming your ideal self.
Imagine you’re 45. Are you an interesting person? Have you traveled the world? Can you have a decent conversation? Have you don’e anything other than beat a lot of video games?
6) Don’t forego your good habits.
Did your parents have you on a schedule, and make you do chores? Do you have a morning routine? Consider how continuing these things may be beneficial in the future.
7) Read more. Read classics. Read graphic novels.
Write, too, if that’s your thing.
8) Learn to keep a schedule and set goals.
This will help make sure you don’t waste your time floating along in life, but will also build internal discipline.
9) Not every opportunity is worth your time.
Many situations are too good to be true. An unpaid internship, for example, may give you the working experience and industry contacts to set you up for a rewarding career, or you may end up willingly exploiting your earning potential.
10) Seriously,you’re a jerk.
I can’t even. In a few years you will look back an some of the awful, short-sighted, silly things you’ve done. Assuming you make it without loss of life or limb, you will be stronger for these experiences. Your brain is not fully developed until around age 25. That being said, your willingness to take risks and push boundaries can help you excel if you apply yourself, properly harnessing your awesome fledgling mutant powers. Sometimes you have to just make a decision and stick to it-cool. Believe in yourself and don’t bail on your dreams at the first feelings of discomfort. Also, the people who stick by you through your early adulthood have likely seen you at your worst, and still love you. They may be a good candidate to be a loyal, lifetime friend.
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