Lessons from a Third Grade Dropout

Who is the wisest person you have been around? Your parents, a grandparent, maybe a teacher or just a friend.

In this video, Rick Rigsby gives the commencement address to the Maritime Academy of the University of California.  He shares about the wisest man he ever met…a third-grade dropout.

Take a few minutes to watch the video. At bottom of this post, you will find a list of some of the high points of his talk. 

• Don’t Judge
  • Knowledge plus wisdom combined make an impact.
  • Leaving school doesn’t mean your education stops.
  • I won’t have a problem if you aim high and miss, but I will have a problem if you aim low and hit.
  • If you think you can and if you think you can’t you are right.
• Show Up Early
  • Son, you would rather be an hour early than a minute late.
• Be Kind
  • I know you are tough but always remember to be kind.
• Be a Servant
  • Make sure your servant’s towel is bigger than your ego.
  • Ego is the anesthesia that deadens the pain of stupidity.
  • Pride is the burden of a foolish person.
• Do Something The Right Way
  • Maybe one day my boys will catch me in the act of excellence.
  • You are what you repeatedly do.
  • If you are going to do a job do it right.
  • Good enough isn’t good enough if it can be better.
  • I’m not worried that you will be successful, I am worried that you won’t fail from time to time.
• It Matters How You Live
  • When you hit rock bottom remember rock bottom can be a great foundation.
  • It doesn’t matter to me how long I live, it matters to me how I live.