Randy Pausch was a Carnegie-Mellon Professor who was diagnosed with terminal pancreatic cancer in 2007. Prior to his passing, he delivered what he called his last lecture about: “Achieving Your Childhood Dreams.” He came to national attention due to his overwhelmingly positive attitude in the face of overwhelmingly negative circumstances.
There were two powerful statements he made in that speech that bear repeating. The first is about the worst place we can be, and the second pertains to good things we can encounter in our lives.
He loved football and though challenged with a slight build, nevertheless he worked out for years in pursuit of his dream to play in the NFL. At a practice one day, the head coach rode him particularly hard. At the end of the practice, an assistant coach said, “The coach rode you pretty hard today didn’t he?” Randy said, “Yes, he did.” The assistant coach said, “That’s a good thing. The worst place to be in life is when you’re doing something wrong and nobody cares enough anymore to do something about it—to help you improve!”
When you’re left alone to fail because no one cares enough to save you, that’s the worst possible place to be. Be happy when those you respect care enough about your personal success to push you toward greatness.
The second message was, count it all good when you encounter obstacles—brick walls—when you’re reaching to achieve a goal. Remember those walls are there for a reason. They’re not there to keep you out, they’re there to prove how badly you want something.
Brick walls are there to stop those who don’t want it bad enough. So when you encounter obstacles on the way of achieving your goals, ask yourself, “How badly do I really want this?” Then act accordingly!
Strong, stringent encouragement and stubborn, steadfast determination; Respect and Resolve, the external and the internal working together for your greatest good.
