Put God First - Denzel Washington Motivational & Inspiring Commencement Speech

Summary

In this inspiring speech, the speaker emphasizes the importance of putting God first and maintaining a humble attitude, recounting a pivotal moment 40 years ago that set his life on a divine path. He encourages embracing failure as a stepping stone to success, setting ambitious goals, and maintaining discipline and consistency. The speaker also stresses the impermanence of material wealth, advocating for using one's talents to help others and find true joy. He concludes with a call to gratitude and proactive thankfulness, urging listeners to make a difference in the world.

Takeaways

• 🙏 Put God first: The speaker emphasizes the importance of prioritizing faith and recognizing all accomplishments as divine gifts.
• 📚 Education is pivotal: Despite initial academic struggles, the speaker's life took a positive turn, highlighting the transformative power of education.
• 🌐 Travel and speak: A prophecy about traveling and speaking to millions became a reality, underscoring the significance of believing in oneself.
• 💡 Stay humble: Success should be met with humility, and one should always remember the guiding principles that led to that success.
• 🚀 Fail big: Embrace failure as a stepping stone to success, and don't be afraid to take risks in the pursuit of your passions.
• 🎯 Set goals: Dreams are important, but they need to be paired with actionable goals, both long-term and short-term, to achieve them.
• 🔄 Consistency and discipline: Achieving goals requires daily discipline and consistency; success is not a one-time event but a continuous effort.
• 💼 Hard work matters: In a world of quick fixes and instant gratification, remember that hard work and dedication are still the keys to success.
• 💸 Materialism has limits: Wealth cannot accompany you beyond life, and the true measure of success is what you do with what you have, not how much you have.
• 🤝 Help others: The most rewarding aspect of life is helping others, as it brings personal fulfillment and joy that material possessions cannot match.
• 🙌 Gratitude and prayer: Cultivate a habit of gratitude and maintain a close relationship with your faith, as it provides guidance, wisdom, and peace.

Q & A

What is the primary message the speaker emphasizes in the beginning of the transcript?

The primary message emphasized by the speaker is the importance of putting God first in everything one does, attributing all accomplishments and possessions to God's grace.

What significant event happened to the speaker on March 27, 1975?

On March 27, 1975, the speaker was flunking out of college with a 1.7 grade point average and received a prophecy from a woman in his mother's beauty parlor.

What prophecy did the woman in the beauty parlor give to the speaker?

The woman prophesied that the speaker would travel the world and speak to millions of people, despite him being on the verge of academic failure at the time.

How does the speaker describe the impact of the prophecy on his life?

The prophecy had a profound impact on the speaker's life, as it not only gave him direction but also kept him humble and protected throughout his journey.

What advice does the speaker give about failure in the context of pursuing one's passions?

The speaker encourages embracing failure as a part of the journey towards success, emphasizing the importance of taking chances, thinking outside the box, and having big dreams and goals.

Why does the speaker stress the importance of setting daily goals?

The speaker stresses setting daily goals to maintain discipline and consistency in working towards larger life and yearly goals, which are essential for achieving success.

What is the meaning behind the phrase 'you'll never see a U-Haul behind a hearse'?

The phrase 'you'll never see a U-Haul behind a hearse' is used by the speaker to illustrate that material possessions cannot be taken with us after death, emphasizing the importance of using what we have to help others.

How does the speaker define success in terms of helping others?

The speaker defines success as the joy and gratification derived from helping others, considering it the most selfish yet rewarding act one can engage in.

What is the speaker's recommendation for expressing gratitude?

The speaker recommends placing one's slippers under the bed so that when reaching for them in the morning, one is compelled to kneel and express gratitude for various blessings in life.

What does the speaker mean by 'true desire in the heart' and how does it relate to achieving one's goals?

The speaker refers to 'true desire in the heart' as a strong, divinely inspired yearning for something good, which serves as a proof that it is already destined to be one's. This desire should be claimed and worked towards with determination.

What is the final piece of advice the speaker gives about making a difference in the world?

The speaker advises not just aspiring to make a living, but to make a difference in the world, emphasizing the importance of helping others and contributing positively to society.