On June 12th about 750 students graduated from our business school. In the past I would say it was bittersweet because, while I was pleased to have had the company of so many young leaders, I had to say goodbye as they leave the business school. With my new position at SFU, it is now about seeing them back again soon. My graduates are now stuck with me for life!
While sitting there during the ceremony and at the reception, I could not help but think what the future holds for them. I remember when I graduated, I did not really have a plan after and very little experience to hang my coat from. It was about graduating and nothing more at that point. I eventually got settled into my life and career but settling is not a good word. It is a safe and comfortable word but it is not a good word. When I was 34 years old, I got hit by a lightning bolt and awoke on what life held as possibilities when I went through Leadership Vancouver. It was an organization that gathered people who wanted to make a difference but did not know where and how to best serve the community. Upon graduation from Leadership Vancouver, I realized my potential and opportunities…and I have never looked back. This was a life changer. Leadership Vancouver is accepting applications – http://www.uwlm.ca/leadership-vancouver
Those who graduated June 12th …some have been hit by a lightning bolt and have already realized their calling. Some will go through life and have a realization and a lightning bolt will hit them like it hit me…and sadly, some will go through life with no lightning bolt and realization…these people will not experience the storm of change. My only request is that if you want to settle and don’t aspire to be hit by a lightning bolt, enjoy your journey…don’t complain about the everyday and where you are in life…appreciate every day for what it holds. For the rest…go out into the storm and enjoy it and be prepared on how your life will change when you are hit. Remember, a ship sitting in a harbor is safe but that is not what a ship was built for, it needs to venture out on adventures. Take risks, learn from your experiences. Life only holds setbacks and no failures…failure is final and fatal, set backs are not…and rarely there are failures in life. To my new alumni, one chapter has ended. You now have to go and write many more…make one a lightning bolt experience!…or a few lightning bolt experiences. Yes, lightning does strike one place more than once…it did for me multiple times ?