Top Ten Tidbits for Graduates

On Saturday, I spoke at the high school commencement celebration at Second R.P. I closed the address with a list of the "Top Ten Tidbits for Graduates". A number of people have requested a copy of that list, so here it is.

THE TOP TEN TIDBITS FOR GRADUATES

10. Keep reading. My personal suggestion is to read the front page and the editorial page of the Wall Street Journal every day. Keep reading even if you do not understand it all.

9. Keep a journal. God will do much in and through you, and if you do not record those events you will forget them.

8. Always say “thank you”. Remember from whence you came, because you did not get to this point by yourself.

7. Be confident. You will fool an amazing number of people - most of all yourself .

6. Ask lots of questions. Never stop learning.

5. Remember that every job is a self-portrait of the person who did it. The quality of your work reflects who you are.

4. Never say, “I forgot”. Remember your commitments and keep them.

3. Dress for success. Strive not to look like you just stepped out of a dumpster as is so much the rage. People can often tell if a young person has purpose in life by the way they are dressed.

2. Call your mother.

1. Finally, number one, I pass on to you some words of wisdom I received at my own graduation ten years ago that have been very meaningful to me...as you go out from here remember two words that will open many doors for you.....push and pull. God bless the Class of 2005!