University of Texas at Austin 2014 Commencement Address - Admiral William H. McRaven

Summary

The commencement speech by a former Navy SEAL emphasizes the power of individual actions to change the world, drawing on lessons from his rigorous SEAL training. He encourages the graduating class of 2014 to start with small tasks, find support, face challenges head-on, and never give up. With perseverance and hope, they can influence millions and create a better world.

Takeaways

• 🎓 The commencement speaker humorously admits that despite the significance of the day, he doesn't remember the speaker from his own graduation, emphasizing the importance of making the speech meaningful and brief.
• 🌏 The speaker introduces the university's slogan 'What starts here changes the world' and challenges the graduates to consider the potential impact they could have on the world through the ripple effect of their actions.
• 🔄 The concept of change is presented as a collective effort, where each graduate could influence 10 people, and those people could influence others, leading to a significant global impact over time.
• 💪 Personal stories from the speaker's military experience illustrate how individual decisions can have far-reaching consequences and save lives, reinforcing the idea that one person can indeed change the world.
• 🛏️ The speaker shares the first of ten lessons from SEAL training: making your bed every morning as a simple act that sets a positive tone for the day and instills discipline.
• 🚣‍♂️ Teamwork is highlighted as essential for achieving goals, using the metaphor of a boat crew paddling through challenging surf, emphasizing that no one can change the world alone.
• 🏊‍♂️ Diversity and inclusion are celebrated through the story of the 'munchkin' boat crew, showing that success is not determined by physical size but by determination and unity.
• 👔 The importance of perseverance is underscored by the story of the uniform inspection, where despite best efforts, things may not always go as planned, and one must continue moving forward.
• 🤸‍♂️ The 'circus' serves as a metaphor for life's challenges, where failure is a part of growth, and resilience is built through overcoming difficulties.
• 🦈 Facing fears is addressed with the story of swimming with sharks, encouraging graduates to confront their fears and not back down from challenges.
• 🌌 The need for calm and focus in the darkest moments is conveyed through the story of underwater ship attacks, where success requires composure and skill even when visibility and conditions are poor.
• 🎵 The power of hope is exemplified by the story of singing in the mud flats during 'Hell Week,' showing that hope can provide strength in the most challenging times.
• 🔔 The 'bell' represents the option to quit at any time, but the speaker urges the graduates to never ring it, symbolizing the importance of perseverance and never giving up on their goals.

Q & A

What is the significance of the commencement speaker's reference to the university slogan 'What starts here changes the world'?

The speaker uses the slogan to emphasize the potential impact each graduate can have on the world, suggesting that even small changes initiated by the graduates can have a ripple effect, ultimately affecting millions of lives.

How does the speaker illustrate the potential impact of the class of 2014 on the world?

The speaker provides a mathematical example, suggesting that if each graduate influences 10 people, and those people each influence 10 more, the class could impact 800 million lives within five generations.

What personal anecdotes does the speaker share from his graduation day at UT?

The speaker shares that he had a throbbing headache from a party the night before, mentions having a serious girlfriend whom he later married, and that he was getting commissioned in the Navy that day.

Why does the speaker emphasize the importance of making your bed every morning?

Making your bed is presented as a simple daily task that instills a sense of accomplishment and encourages the completion of further tasks, reinforcing the idea that small, consistent actions can lead to significant outcomes.

What is the 'sugar cookie' drill in SEAL training, and what does it symbolize?

The 'sugar cookie' drill involves running into the surf zone fully clothed, rolling in the sand, and staying in the wet, sandy uniform all day. It symbolizes the acceptance of failure and the need to keep moving forward despite setbacks.

What does the 'circus' represent in SEAL training, and what life lesson does it teach?

The 'circus' is an additional two hours of calisthenics for those who fail to meet physical standards. It teaches the lesson that failure is a part of life, and building resilience and inner strength through these challenges is crucial.

How does the speaker describe the importance of teamwork in SEAL training?

The speaker uses the example of paddling through the surf zone in a boat crew, illustrating that everyone must paddle in sync to succeed, emphasizing that no one can change the world alone and teamwork is essential.

What does the 'slide for life' obstacle represent, and what lesson does it teach about taking risks?

The 'slide for life' is a challenging obstacle where a student broke the course record by sliding down head first, a risky move. It teaches that sometimes taking bold, calculated risks can lead to significant achievements.

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

The mud flats represent an extreme test of endurance and the will to continue despite the harshest conditions. The experience teaches the power of hope and unity in the face of adversity.

What is the 'bell' in SEAL training, and what does choosing not to ring it symbolize?

The 'bell' is a symbol of quitting training. Choosing not to ring it symbolizes perseverance, determination, and the refusal to give up, even when faced with extreme challenges.

How does the speaker connect the lessons from SEAL training to the broader goal of changing the world?

The speaker connects the lessons by highlighting the importance of small daily accomplishments, teamwork, resilience in the face of failure, and the courage to take risks. These lessons are applicable to anyone looking to make a positive impact on the world.