A Letter from Dads to Grads:
Mark the Moment
We're always rushing. Sprint from point A to point B.
But if you pause, there's a subtle & divine moment:
The in-between.
-> Linger
-> Raise glasses
-> Throw around hugs
-> Be gracious in your goodbyes
Never skip past that which deserves to be savored.
We're always rushing. Sprint from point A to point B.
But if you pause, there's a subtle & divine moment:
The in-between.
-> Linger
-> Raise glasses
-> Throw around hugs
-> Be gracious in your goodbyes
Never skip past that which deserves to be savored.
Solve for Yes
Life becomes a highlight reel.
Experiences collected. Friends made & lost.
But you can time travel to the most memorable:
-> All of your firsts
-> A song played on repeat
-> Anything that happens at sunrise
Want to spark a bonfire of memories?
Say "Yes!"
Life becomes a highlight reel.
Experiences collected. Friends made & lost.
But you can time travel to the most memorable:
-> All of your firsts
-> A song played on repeat
-> Anything that happens at sunrise
Want to spark a bonfire of memories?
Say "Yes!"
Favor Unforgettable Friends
School is a connection accelerator:
4 years of meaningful relationships & concentrated memories.
You'll find friends, but it takes much longer to go deep.
Make the effort to stay in touch.
Upside: you'll pick up right where you left off.
School is a connection accelerator:
4 years of meaningful relationships & concentrated memories.
You'll find friends, but it takes much longer to go deep.
Make the effort to stay in touch.
Upside: you'll pick up right where you left off.
See the World IRL
I'm sorry you've been cooped up for 2 years.
My heart honestly aches for you.
Before you start that company or investment banking rotation, go somewhere.
Grab a friend or go solo. Be crafty. Do it on the cheap.
You will never forget this trip.
I'm sorry you've been cooped up for 2 years.
My heart honestly aches for you.
Before you start that company or investment banking rotation, go somewhere.
Grab a friend or go solo. Be crafty. Do it on the cheap.
You will never forget this trip.
Conscious Compounding
Health or wealth, careers or fears, your daily decisions will compound mercilessly.
For some, it builds a foundation to contribute, support & provide.
For others, it's a daily erosion of what could have been.
Small decisions -> significant results.
Health or wealth, careers or fears, your daily decisions will compound mercilessly.
For some, it builds a foundation to contribute, support & provide.
For others, it's a daily erosion of what could have been.
Small decisions -> significant results.
Brand Sovereignty
You have both a burden & a blessing.
Burden: anyone can capture your poor decisions and broadcast them to the world.
Blessing: you can build trusting relationships directly with thousands of people globally.
Your brand is a portable asset: Are you investing?
You have both a burden & a blessing.
Burden: anyone can capture your poor decisions and broadcast them to the world.
Blessing: you can build trusting relationships directly with thousands of people globally.
Your brand is a portable asset: Are you investing?
Yolo on the Reg
You can swear off the trappings of your 30s - spouse, house, kids - but they will arrive.
If not for you, nearly everyone around you.
Pick a "why the hell not" adventure every quarter and make it happen.
You can swear off the trappings of your 30s - spouse, house, kids - but they will arrive.
If not for you, nearly everyone around you.
Pick a "why the hell not" adventure every quarter and make it happen.
Find Your Person
They are out there. Do not settle.
But look up: They may also be right in front of you.
-> The 1st call when you have big news?
-> Does each conversation spark 10 more?
-> Do they push, pull, prop, prompt & promise?
That's your person.
They are out there. Do not settle.
But look up: They may also be right in front of you.
-> The 1st call when you have big news?
-> Does each conversation spark 10 more?
-> Do they push, pull, prop, prompt & promise?
That's your person.
Build Your Board
You will receive advice, so you have a choice:
-> Allow the fates to whisper in your ear as they wish.
-> Surround yourself with voices that line your chosen parade route.
My vote: select your advisors with intention.
Bonus: Try hosting them all for dinner.
You will receive advice, so you have a choice:
-> Allow the fates to whisper in your ear as they wish.
-> Surround yourself with voices that line your chosen parade route.
My vote: select your advisors with intention.
Bonus: Try hosting them all for dinner.
Work Backwards
Describe your life in 10 years: what's true?
Now stare at the naked truth of yourself: why did you fall short?
Start addressing that cause immediately. One at a time.
By the time you run out of causes to fail, your success will have arrived.
Describe your life in 10 years: what's true?
Now stare at the naked truth of yourself: why did you fall short?
Start addressing that cause immediately. One at a time.
By the time you run out of causes to fail, your success will have arrived.
Zoom Out
-> Job cuts
-> Raging wars
-> Crashing markets
Give them your attention:
-> Navigate with clear eyes
-> Be part of making the world better
Put them in perspective:
-> Days are slow, but years are fast
-> Talk to someone older because it's all happened before
-> Job cuts
-> Raging wars
-> Crashing markets
Give them your attention:
-> Navigate with clear eyes
-> Be part of making the world better
Put them in perspective:
-> Days are slow, but years are fast
-> Talk to someone older because it's all happened before
Write Your Story
Your story will not be mine. It is uniquely yours.
It is being written right now.
The question is: who is holding the pen?
Are your crafting chapters, imagining sequels, and inventing heroic tales?
Or are you simply taking notes as life happens to you?
Your story will not be mine. It is uniquely yours.
It is being written right now.
The question is: who is holding the pen?
Are your crafting chapters, imagining sequels, and inventing heroic tales?
Or are you simply taking notes as life happens to you?
I appreciate you investing time reading my thread.
If you found it valuable:
1. Follow me @dklineii - I write about leadership & entrepreneurship
2. RT the tweet below to share with others who may find it useful
If you found it valuable:
1. Follow me @dklineii - I write about leadership & entrepreneurship
2. RT the tweet below to share with others who may find it useful
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