Today, I have been invited to share some thoughts at the Commencement Ceremony of the Graduating Class of 2011 from the International Academy of Design and Technology in Orlando, Florida.
So, here are some excerpts from my keynote to these incredible group of 87 new professional artists that will shape the marketplace during the next years.
" I can’t believe I’m standing right here today.
I come from humble beginnings in Latin America, raised in a home with strong family and spiritual values, along with work ethics.
In our quest for the American Dream, my family and I came as immigrants to the US during Christmas week of 2002, enjoying freedom and new possibilities in this incredible land of opportunities.
So, here are some excerpts from my keynote to these incredible group of 87 new professional artists that will shape the marketplace during the next years.
" I can’t believe I’m standing right here today.
I come from humble beginnings in Latin America, raised in a home with strong family and spiritual values, along with work ethics.
In our quest for the American Dream, my family and I came as immigrants to the US during Christmas week of 2002, enjoying freedom and new possibilities in this incredible land of opportunities.
I have also made lots of mistakes. I Have learned valuable life lessons.
Today, I am bringing you my best! Today, it’s all about you.
I am excited to learn more about you guys.You represent 7 different disciplines and specialties:
Eight from Digital Media Production, eight in Game Production, ten of you in Marketing and Advertising, ten in Graphic Design, another ten with Interior Design, and, our biggest group, forty-one of you in Fashion Design and Merchandising, Wow!
That’s a total of eighty-seven new Professionals in Design and Technology who can change the world!
You’re part of a very special crowd. You have beaten the odds. Did you know that 30% of College and University students in the US, drop out after their first year? And half of them, never graduates! So, you are very special, you are on the cutting edge!
Let’s talk about what’s going on in the world today.
It’s about interconnections, connectivity is king, massive media activity, social media hyper growth, speed is key, mobility, instant access, global community, complex dynamics, desire for personal growth, pursuit of happiness, increased interest in spirituality, interdependence, freedom, flexibility, multiple choices, customization, creativity.
We are amazed about how social media allows us to stay connected and to know what’s going on in the world, as we speak right now.
It’s about interconnections, connectivity is king, massive media activity, social media hyper growth, speed is key, mobility, instant access, global community, complex dynamics, desire for personal growth, pursuit of happiness, increased interest in spirituality, interdependence, freedom, flexibility, multiple choices, customization, creativity.
We are amazed about how social media allows us to stay connected and to know what’s going on in the world, as we speak right now.
As my gift to you in your special day, I want to share Ten Life Lessons with you:
- Start with Gratitude. Be grateful.‘The process of receiving starts with giving‘ Say: Thank you, 'Gracias', 'Obrigado', 'Merci', and then smile.
- Learn from your mistakes, and make some money with it.
- Know the difference between what is true and what is the truth. The fact that our economy is not in its best times, it's true. Also, I strongly believe the truth is that you are totally equipped to succeed in life.
- Be a Leader: As John Maxwell defines it, "Leadership is influence , nothing more, nothing less."
- Leverage The Power of Association, you are the average of your top 5 connections. Hang out with successful people and, find a mentor.
- There is no such thing like an ‘overnight success’. Be persistent, achieve Personal Mastery. In the Book ‘Outliers’, Malcolm Gladwell says it takes 10,000 hours of practice to become a master in any discipline. That is working 8 hours a day, 5 days a week, that’s 5 years. Work on Your 5 Year Plan.
- Be socially responsible. Give back
- Discover your Purpose. Soul-search what you’ve been designed for. What do you want in life?
- Find your Passion. Who you are. What drives you? What makes you to be ‘in the zone’? What would you do for free? What makes you laugh, cry and sing?
- Design your Plan. It’s the magic in the middle. The ‘glue’ for putting together your Purpose and Passion.
When having such an amazing group of creative minds and professionals in front of me, I have some reflections to share with you.
What can be improved? What’s the limit? How can you make a difference?
Decisions shape your destiny. What decisions are you making today?
Creativity and Imagination are driving forces in today’s interconnected and competitive world. Many people are concerned about our unemployment rate being at 9.2%. Did you know that you have the opportunity to actually create your own job? Yes, you can create the type of life you want, and design your own destiny.
The good news, you are incredibly gifted and ready with all the talent you need, to walk into your greatness.
We are living in an era of new patterns and daily changing rules in the marketplace, every day we learn about new concepts, new ideas, new products, and even stuff we never thought we would ever need at all.
The good news, you are incredibly gifted and ready with all the talent you need, to walk into your greatness.
We are living in an era of new patterns and daily changing rules in the marketplace, every day we learn about new concepts, new ideas, new products, and even stuff we never thought we would ever need at all.
Think about the millions of people playing and being fans of video games like Angry Birds.
Who would have thought that such a simple concept could make so many millions?
Look at the ads on facebook, how marketers know exactly what you are talking about, and what your interests are.
Explore, pay attention to what’s going on out there, be unique, practice niche marketing, build your own specialty, start writing a blog about what you are passionate about. Tweet, share, research, discover.
It ain’t gonna be easy, but it’s possible. I love the quote from Bethany Hamilton, in her movie ‘Soul Surfer’, after losing her left arm from a shark attack and willing to go back to surfing with one arm only. She said: ‘I don’t want easy, all I want is possible”
Who would have thought that such a simple concept could make so many millions?
Look at the ads on facebook, how marketers know exactly what you are talking about, and what your interests are.
Explore, pay attention to what’s going on out there, be unique, practice niche marketing, build your own specialty, start writing a blog about what you are passionate about. Tweet, share, research, discover.
It ain’t gonna be easy, but it’s possible. I love the quote from Bethany Hamilton, in her movie ‘Soul Surfer’, after losing her left arm from a shark attack and willing to go back to surfing with one arm only. She said: ‘I don’t want easy, all I want is possible”
Are you prepared? Being prepared is a function of education, preparation, knowledge, skills, and all the training you have received at I.A.D.T.
Are you ready? Readiness is a matter of willingness to take action.
Like Nike says, "Just Do It!
Connect, get out there, network, network and, network again. Listen, add value, help others, be happy, smile, believe in yourself. Believe in the people around you, enjoy life, laugh, have fun, and, lots of fun, life is beautiful.
The one thing I want you to remember:
Today is not 'The End', it’s 'The Beginning' of your best years in life, the best is yet to come. Be a student, embrace others and their ideas, be a lifelong learner.
You are credentialed, certified, and ready to take action, now.
You have 'permission' to go out and show the world what you have to offer, bringing your best value, the best in you.
Ladies and gentlemen, please join me in celebrating the success from our graduates today.
Congratulations again, to our dear Class of 2011!
See you on facebook, and Thank You! "
You have 'permission' to go out and show the world what you have to offer, bringing your best value, the best in you.
Ladies and gentlemen, please join me in celebrating the success from our graduates today.
Congratulations again, to our dear Class of 2011!
No comments:
Post a Comment