My Visit to St. Joseph’s Prep

---

I had a wonderful experience meeting with a group of students at my high school alma mater – St. Joseph’s Prep, an all boys prep school in Philadelphia. I spoke to a group of seniors who showed themselves as a dedicated and service oriented group of young men.

The theme of our discussion was “Things I wish I Knew Earlier in Life”. During my time with them, I spoke about a few life principles that I’ve learned along the way and wanted to share with them. My goal was to give them perspective and awareness that might alter the course of their life journey, even if only by a few degrees. A ship that alters its course a few degrees winds up in a very different place over time.

I’m happy to share the outline of what I discussed with these students.

My Top 3 Principles

1. Live with Purpose
   • Make conscious decisions and don’t just let things happen to you
   • Employ a sound decision making process to make your decisions good ones!!
   • Make a written plan and pull it apart until you have actionable steps
   • Be honest with yourself about the work you are willing to do to achieve your goals
2. Think and Act Like a Scientist
   • Understand the facts (or at least your best guess what the facts are)
   • Think in terms of experiments and try things. Experiments are about learning, not about success or failure
   • Ask “What If” questions – test the perceived limits
   • Balance the equation – take care of the key elements of your life: work, fun, family & friends, health
3. Be Ruthless with Your Time
   • Think in minutes, every one counts
   • Lack of time is really just a lack of priority
   • Treat your time as limited. Remember – how you spend your time tells the world a lot about you
   • You wouldn’t let anyone steal your phone – don’t let them steal your time!

Enablers that support these Principles

• You Become the average of the 5 people you spend the most time with
• You are what you do!

What does all this require?? It requires you to “Be Bold” and take action!