Admiral McRaven addresses the University of Texas at Austin Class of 2014

Summary

The commencement address by a former Navy SEAL emphasizes the transformative power of individual actions. Drawing on his 36 years of service, he shares ten life lessons from SEAL training, illustrating how small daily tasks, teamwork, resilience, and courage in the face of adversity can collectively change the world for the better. He challenges the graduating class of 2014 to embrace these principles, predicting their potential to positively impact 800 million lives.

Takeaways

• 🎓 The commencement speaker emphasizes the significance of the graduating moment, despite the fact that details of past commencements are often forgotten.
• 🌟 The University's slogan 'What starts here changes the world' is highlighted as a powerful idea that resonates with the potential impact of the graduating class.
• 🔄 The potential ripple effect of each graduate positively influencing 10 lives, and the subsequent generational impact, is underscored as a means to change the world significantly.
• 💪 The transformative power of individual decisions, as illustrated by military examples, is presented to demonstrate how one person can make a profound difference.
• 🌐 The idea that changing the world is not confined to any specific location or person, and that everyone has the capacity to do so, is a central theme.
• 🛏️ Making your bed every morning is given as a metaphor for accomplishing small tasks that can lead to a sense of pride and momentum for larger achievements.
• 🚣‍♂️ The importance of teamwork and collaboration is conveyed through the boat crew exercise, emphasizing that no one can change the world alone.
• 🌈 The 'munchkin crew' story illustrates that success is not determined by physical attributes but by determination and willpower.
• 👔 The 'sugar cookie' exercise demonstrates the acceptance of failure as a part of life and the importance of resilience in the face of adversity.
• 🤸‍♂️ The 'circus' experience in SEAL training is used to highlight the value of pushing through pain and fatigue to build inner strength and resilience.
• 🎢 Taking risks and innovating, as shown by the student who set a new record on the obstacle course, is encouraged as a way to overcome challenges and achieve more.
• 🦈 Facing fears, such as swimming with sharks, is likened to confronting the 'sharks' in life, with advice to stand one's ground rather than back down.
• 🌌 The need to perform at one's best during the most challenging times, symbolized by the dark underbelly of a ship, is stressed as crucial for success.
• ❄️ The power of hope, as demonstrated by the singing during 'Hell Week', is shown to be a force that can make difficult situations more bearable and bring people together.
• 🔔 The brass bell in SEAL training symbolizes the option to quit, with a message to never give up, no matter how hard the circumstances.

Q & A

What was the speaker's graduation experience from UT 37 years ago?

The speaker graduated from UT with a throbbing headache from a party the night before, a serious girlfriend whom he later married, and was getting commissioned in the Navy that day.

Why does the speaker mention the commencement speaker from his graduation?

The speaker mentions the commencement speaker to illustrate that he doesn't remember who it was or what they said, setting the expectation that his speech will be short and impactful.

What is the University's slogan and what does the speaker think of it?

The University's slogan is 'What starts here changes the world.' The speaker admits that he kind of likes it.

How does the speaker quantify the potential impact of the graduating class of 2014?

The speaker calculates that if each graduate influences 10 people, and those people each influence another 10, within five generations they could impact 800 million lives.

What is the significance of the 'sugar cookie' experience in SEAL training?

The 'sugar cookie' experience is meant to teach trainees to accept that no matter how hard they try, they may still face failure and must continue moving forward.

What is the importance of making your bed every morning according to the speaker?

Making your bed every morning is a small task that gives a sense of accomplishment and encourages a chain of other tasks to be completed throughout the day.

How does the speaker describe the 'munchkin crew' and their significance?

The 'munchkin crew' was a diverse group of smaller individuals who outperformed others in SEAL training, demonstrating that success is not about physical size but willpower.

What is the purpose of the 'circus' in SEAL training?

The 'circus' is an additional two hours of calisthenics for those who fail to meet standards, designed to test resilience and the ability to endure hardship.

Why did the speaker emphasize the importance of dealing with 'sharks'?

The speaker uses 'sharks' as a metaphor for challenges and obstacles that one must face without fear in order to achieve their goals.

What lesson does the speaker draw from the night swim with sharks during SEAL training?

The lesson is to stand your ground and not back down from intimidating challenges, using strength and courage to overcome them.

How does the speaker describe the importance of being your best in the darkest moments?

The speaker emphasizes that during the most difficult times, it is crucial to be calm, composed, and to utilize all your skills and strength to succeed.

What is the significance of 'Hell Week' in SEAL training?

'Hell Week' is a grueling part of SEAL training designed to test the limits of physical and mental endurance, with the goal of building resilience and teamwork.

What does the bell in SEAL training represent and its significance?

The bell represents the option to quit training at any time. Its significance lies in the message that to change the world, one must never give up, no matter how hard the challenges.

What is the speaker's final message to the graduating class of 2014?

The speaker's final message is to start each day with a completed task, find support, respect everyone, take risks, face challenges head-on, and never give up, in order to create a better world.