Graduation Speech: Advice For Young Adults

6/20/2018

Graduation Speech

10 Tips For Young Adults Starting Out In Life

The following is some Frank Advice that I would give a young adult starting out in life:

1. Start a Life Plan

Identify things like when you want to retire, places you want to live during the different stages in your life, factor in the health history of your bloodline relatives (if the last two generations of your family were forced into early retirement due to health issues then make sure your life plan takes that into account).

Your life plans will likely change over time, but you will still be moving forward, and it gives your life some direction

2. Do Something Worthwhile With Your Life

Fun is important, but fun is not ultimately fulfilling.

Focus on offering value to the world whether through the way you make a living or through your other efforts of making the world a better place.

Every person that I have ever coached that participated in scams for most of their life are blocked for forming real connections with other human beings and have an emptiness and loneliness that simply cannot be healed.

3. Make Understanding Money A Priority

Learn about the personality types required for the different ways to earn money.

The traits of a great employee may get in the way when becoming a great entrepreneur.

The traits of a great investor may get in the way of someone that seeks a career change into an independent contract self employed professional.

Knowing yourself in this regard is going to save you years of experimenting and poverty to figure it out.

4. Stay Out of Bad Debt

As much as possible, stay out of bad debt. Work to pay off everything in a timely fashion, and if you cannot afford it on cash, do not put it on credit.

Even school loans can be paid by reduced course loads and working part or full time to pay tuition as you study.

Live within your means, and be mindful of how interest in bad debt is designed to keep you in bad debt.

5. Get the Necessary Education

Get the necessary education. No one has the obligation to teach you anything. Get a formal education if you want a career path that requires a license/degree/or association membership, and best get it while you are young.

No matter what anyone tells you, not everyone is able to go for education when older as we cannot predict what obstacles will be there.

A lack of health as you get older or increased family responsibilities as you move into the next stages of your life may simply not allow for the time or resources needed for an education.

If you cannot get a formal education for any reason, then educate yourself on your time, with your own research. Just because you weren’t able to go to college or university does not mean you stop your education. Pick a direction in life, and learn everything you can about it.

Also, there is little value going into 50K in debt for a career that pays minimum wage, that you can break into without a degree. Make sure the amount you invest to get the education can be easily paid back with what you earn.

6. In Love, Choose Wisely

Do not commit to the wrong person. When it comes to your love life, there are people that you just date for fun and there are people that can best support your future life plans that must earn your commitment.

If you get these two mixed up, you may lose everything. Everything you have ever earned, everything that gives you peace of mind, and even your very freedom.

How To Choose The Right Person

7. Take Care Of Your Health

You never know when being healthier makes things easier until you lose your health. Physical health, mental health and emotional health are all important.

If you need help in any of these areas, seek the help. Find a motivator, a therapist, a coach and make it part of your life plan.

8. Never Count On Being Saved By Others

Never be fully dependent on someone to save you. It is up to you to save yourself. It is great when you have people to count on, but your goal is to build up your life so that you aren't dependent on any one particular person or system.

This includes expecting your government to save you as well. The more you can be independent, the more you can fully enjoy the life you build without fear of anyone taking it away from you.

It is OK to ask for help when you need it, but it is not OK to ever assume that anyone is automatically your safety net if things do not work out.

9. Always Plan Long-Term

Consider things in terms of your best long-term interest. Today you may want to take revenge on someone who hurt you (short term) but is it worth jail time (long term)?

Today you may really want the cool entertainment system for the party this weekend (short term), but is it worth the risk that you do not have an emergency fund to pay the rent in the event you are too sick to work later in the year (long term)?

Today you may really want to travel over the holidays to another country to meet that potential new partner that you met online (short term), but is it worth the loss of prep time for the entrance exam for the next stage of your life (long term)?

10. Never Act Cruel

I think above all else, this may be the most important. You do not have to be overly nice, but never be cruel.

Never say mean things just to hurt another person. Respect people’s rights to live in peace, tolerate their differences, and act as encouraging to others as you want them to be to you.

Never shame anyone because you think they could do better. You do not know their stories and struggles.

Never hate someone just because they are different.

Never make jokes at another person's expense and never be someone's bully.

Charisma is defined in my works as a person who leaves a positive impression of themselves while at the same time makes other people feel good about their selves too.