Commencement speeches should be inspiring. Most of us have probably enjoyed the Commencement Speech which Steve Jobs gave at Stanford in 2005.
If you are interested in the art of storytelling then the Public Radio International show This American Life is required listening. Ira Glass is the creative force behind This American Life and his Commencement Speech is incisive, realistic and inspiring.
Here are some of my personal highlights, great advice for anyone who wants to tell stories in a meaningful way.
“There has been no time in the history of reporting when it has been so easy to get your work out to huge numbers of people”
“Amuse yourself”
“The moments that are amusing to you and interesting to you and amazing to you… those are the things that are going to make your stories amazing… and will make your work memorable.”
“You’re not going to make any money, you might as well have fun.”
“I would include one moment in every story that was just there for me.”
“When you follow your own curiosity… it will lead you to where you need to go.”
“Finding a story idea is a job, in and of itself.”
“When stories are great it’s because you harnessed your skills and then you got lucky.”
“I do a huge amount of stuff. I walk around in the rain for a long time until lightning strikes.”
“Go into the world, make something interesting for the people, make something useful, set higher standards for yourself than your editors or anybody else is setting for you, go the extra mile to be fair to your interviewees, put in the extra work to understand them on their terms, understand every day what a great job you have, don’t wait for permission from anyone to make the work you want to make… Start right away. Just start. Even if you’re not sure how to get there, just start… Try things until luck kicks in. Luck. Will. Always. Kick in.”
PS – I’ve never liked calamari. I’m even less likely to order it now.