"I Went From 3rd Grade Dropout To ULTRA SUCCESSFUL" | Rick Rigsby

Summary

In this heartfelt speech, the speaker reflects on the wisdom imparted by his father, a third-grade dropout, who taught him profound life lessons despite limited formal education. Through humor and personal anecdotes, he emphasizes the importance of excellence, kindness, humility, and resilience. The story of his wife's battle with cancer and the lessons learned from her passing highlight the power of wisdom found in unexpected places and the significance of living a life of purpose and integrity.

Takeaways

• 🎓 Education is not limited by formal schooling. The speaker's father was a third-grade dropout but continued to educate himself, emphasizing the importance of self-motivated learning.
• 🧠 Knowledge and wisdom are distinct; the father taught the value of combining both to make an impact, highlighting the difference between mere information and the application of understanding.
• 🌟 Success is not measured by titles or degrees. The speaker acknowledges that the wisest person they know is their father, who had no formal education beyond the third grade.
• 🕰 Punctuality is a sign of excellence. The father's practice of leaving the house early to be 'in the act of excellence' illustrates the value of being early rather than late.
• 💡 Excellence should be a habit, not a one-time act. The speaker cites Aristotle to stress that what we repeatedly do defines us, reinforcing the importance of consistent effort towards excellence.
• 💖 Kindness is crucial, even when facing tough situations. The speaker reminds us to always be kind, a lesson from his father that holds true in all aspects of life.
• 👩‍👧‍👦 Family matters. The speaker humorously notes the importance of keeping one's mother happy, as her happiness affects the entire family's well-being.
• 🧽 Humility and service are key to influence. The speaker shares a lesson from his father about having a 'servant's towel bigger than your ego', indicating the importance of serving others without arrogance.
• 🏆 Aiming high is encouraged, even if it means missing the mark occasionally. The father quoted Michelangelo to teach the importance of ambition and striving for the best.
• 🔨 Find your 'broom' and do your job well. The speaker uses the metaphor of sweeping one's own gym floor to illustrate the idea that taking on humble tasks can lead to greater influence and impact.
• 💔 Resilience in the face of adversity is a testament to character. The speaker's personal story of losing his wife to cancer and finding strength through his father's wisdom shows the power of perseverance.

Q & A

What is the paradoxical statement the speaker makes about the wisest person they've met?

The speaker describes the wisest person they've met as a 'third-grade dropout,' which is paradoxical because wisdom is often associated with education, yet this individual is deemed the wisest despite having little formal education.

What does the speaker learn from the third-grade dropout about combining knowledge and wisdom?

The speaker learns from their father, the third-grade dropout, that education doesn't stop when formal schooling ends. He taught himself to read and write and emphasized the importance of being the best version of oneself every day, combining knowledge with wisdom to make an impact.

How does the speaker's father embody the quote by Mark Twain mentioned in the script?

The speaker's father embodies Mark Twain's quote, 'I've never allowed my schooling to get in the way of my education,' by continuing to educate himself after leaving school and challenging himself to be the best he could be despite societal constraints.

What impact did the speaker's father have on the speaker's and their brother's success?

The speaker's father, despite being a third-grade dropout, had a profound impact on their success. His wisdom and teachings influenced the speaker to earn four degrees and their brother to become a judge, showing that they are not the smartest in the family but have been greatly influenced by their father's wisdom.

What lesson does the speaker's father impart about aiming high, referencing Michelangelo?

The speaker's father quotes Michelangelo to teach the lesson that it's better to aim high and miss than to aim low and hit, encouraging the speaker and their brother to strive for excellence and not settle for mediocrity.

What advice does the speaker's father give about punctuality and how it was implemented in their household?

The speaker's father advises that it's better to be an hour early than a minute late. This was implemented in their household by always having the clocks set ahead, ensuring that they were never late.

What does the speaker mean by 'make sure your servant's towel is bigger than your ego'?

The speaker uses the metaphor of a servant's towel being bigger than one's ego to convey the message that humility and service to others are more important than self-importance or pride.

How does the speaker describe the influence of John Wooden on their philosophy of life?

The speaker describes John Wooden as a person who, despite his success in basketball, was found sweeping his own gym floor, showing that influence comes from actions and humility, not just titles or achievements.

What personal story does the speaker share about their wife, Trina, and how it relates to the theme of wisdom?

The speaker shares the story of their wife, Trina, who was diagnosed with breast cancer and passed away. This personal tragedy led the speaker to the wisdom imparted by his father about resilience and standing strong through adversity.

What final lesson does the speaker's father teach him at Trina's casket?

The final lesson the speaker's father teaches him is to 'just stand,' emphasizing the importance of resilience and perseverance in the face of life's challenges, regardless of how difficult they may be.

What question does the speaker challenge the audience to ask themselves every day?

The speaker challenges the audience to ask themselves, 'How am I living?' every day, encouraging self-reflection on their actions, choices, and the impact they are making.

Outlines

00:00

🧠 Embracing Wisdom Beyond Formal Education

The speaker reflects on the concept of wisdom and its separation from formal education, using the example of his father, a third-grade dropout who became the wisest person he ever met. Despite leaving school early to support his family, the father was self-taught, embodying the idea that education is a lifelong pursuit. He imparted valuable life lessons to his children, emphasizing the importance of aiming high, being early, and maintaining kindness. The speaker also highlights the influence of other great thinkers like Aristotle, Michelangelo, and Henry Ford on his father's teachings, showing that wisdom can be found in the most unexpected places.

05:01

💔 Love, Loss, and the Resilience of Wisdom

The narrative shifts to a deeply personal story of love and loss. The speaker recounts meeting the woman who would become his wife, Trina Williams, and their journey together through college and marriage, culminating in the birth of their children. Tragedy strikes when Trina is diagnosed with breast cancer and eventually passes away, leaving the speaker and his sons to mourn her loss. In the face of this immense grief, the speaker finds solace and strength in the wisdom imparted by his father, who, despite his own sorrow, advises his son to 'just stand,' a lesson in resilience and perseverance. The speaker concludes by urging the audience to live with intention, seeking wisdom in everyday life and reflecting on their own existence by asking, 'How you livin'?'

Keywords

💡Wisdom

Wisdom in this context refers to the deep understanding and good judgment that comes from experience and learning. It is a central theme of the video, illustrating that wisdom can be found in unexpected places, such as the speaker's father, a third-grade dropout. The father's wisdom is highlighted through his teachings and life lessons, such as the importance of aiming high and the value of persistence.

💡Oxymoron

An oxymoron is a figure of speech in which two seemingly contradictory terms are combined to create a new meaning. The speaker uses the term to humorously describe the juxtaposition of 'wisest' and 'dropout,' setting up the paradox that despite lacking formal education, the father possesses great wisdom. This term is used to challenge the audience's preconceived notions about wisdom and education.

💡Education

Education in the script is not limited to formal schooling but extends to self-taught knowledge and life lessons. The father's story exemplifies that education is a continuous process of learning and growing, regardless of one's formal schooling. His ability to read and write, and his teachings to his children, underscore the importance of self-education and its impact on wisdom.

💡Influence

Influence in this context is the capacity to have an effect on the character, development, or behavior of someone or something. The speaker emphasizes the importance of growing one's influence by being a positive example and doing things the right way. The father's influence is evident in the life lessons he imparts, which continue to guide the speaker even in the face of adversity.

💡Excellence

Excellence is a high quality or standard of performance, and in the video, it is portrayed as a habit rather than a single act. The speaker's father's commitment to excellence is demonstrated through his daily routine and his teachings, such as being an hour early rather than a minute late, which exemplifies a lifestyle of striving for the best in all endeavors.

💡Ego

Ego, as discussed in the script, refers to an excessive sense of self-importance, which can be detrimental. The speaker advises that one's ego should not overshadow their ability to serve others, as illustrated by the metaphor of the servant's towel being bigger than one's ego. This concept is tied to the theme of humility and service.

💡Failure

Failure in the video is presented not as a终点 but as a stepping stone to success and growth. The speaker encourages the audience to embrace failure as a part of the journey, using his personal story of loss to illustrate how hitting rock bottom can provide a foundation for building resilience and strength.

💡Resilience

Resilience is the ability to recover quickly from difficulties. The speaker's story of losing his wife to cancer and finding the strength to continue for his children and faith exemplifies resilience. His father's advice to 'keep standing' despite the challenges further emphasizes the importance of maintaining resilience in the face of adversity.

💡Legacy

Legacy in this context refers to the lasting impact or influence left by someone. The speaker reflects on the wisdom and life lessons left by his father, which continue to guide him and form part of his legacy. The concept of legacy is tied to the idea of making an impact and leaving a positive mark on the world.

💡Kindness

Kindness is the quality of being friendly, generous, and considerate. The speaker stresses the importance of always being kind, regardless of personal circumstances. This concept is woven throughout the video, serving as a reminder of the father's teachings and the speaker's commitment to living a life of compassion.

💡Pride

Pride, as mentioned in the script, is portrayed as a burden and a sign of foolishness. It is contrasted with humility and service, with the speaker advising against letting pride interfere with one's ability to learn and grow. The father's teachings on this concept serve as a reminder to stay grounded and open to wisdom.

Highlights

The speaker humorously juxtaposes wisdom with being a third-grade dropout, challenging conventional perceptions.

The importance of self-education is emphasized through the story of the speaker's father, a self-taught reader and writer.

The father's determination to be recognized as a man, not defined by race, during the Jim Crow era.

The value of aiming high, as illustrated by the father quoting Michelangelo to his sons.

The impact of the father's wisdom, despite having only a third-grade education, on the speaker's life and success.

The lesson that excellence should be a habit, not just an act, as per Aristotle's teachings.

The importance of kindness, as a core value instilled by the speaker's family.

The humorous anecdote about the speaker's mother's happiness being crucial for family harmony.

The advice to keep one's ego in check, using the metaphor of a servant's towel being larger than one's ego.

The story of John Wooden's humility and the lesson of making an impact through service.

The speaker's personal journey of resilience and growth after the loss of his wife to breast cancer.

The profound influence of the father's wisdom in helping the speaker navigate through grief and loss.

The final lesson from the father to 'just stand' as a metaphor for resilience and perseverance.

The speaker's wife's last words emphasizing the importance of the quality of life over its length.

The call to reflect on one's life by asking 'How am I living?' as a means of self-improvement.

The closing advice to seek wisdom, do the right thing, and make an impact on others' lives.

Transcripts

- The wisest person I ever met in my life,

a third grade dropout.

Wisest and dropout in the same sentence

is rather oxymoronic

like jumbo shrimp.

(audience laughing)

Mhmm.

(audience laughing)

Like fun run.

Ain't nothing fun about it.

(audience laughing)

Like Microsoft Works, y'all don't hear me.

(audience laughing)

I used to say, like country music

but I've lived in Texas so long

I love country music now.

(audience cheering)

Yeah.

I hunt, I fish, I have cowboy boots, and cowboy,

y'all, I'm a black neck redneck.

Do you hear what I'm saying to you?

(audience laughing)

No longer oxymoronic for me to say country music.

And it's not oxymoronic for me to say

third grade and dropout.

That third grade dropout,

the wisest person I ever met in my life

who taught me to combine knowledge and wisdom

to make an impact,

was my father.

A simple cook.

Wisest man I ever met in my life.

Just a simple cook.

Left school in the third grade

to help out on the family farm

but just because he left school

doesn't mean education stopped.

Mark Twain once said,

"I've never allowed my schooling

"to get in the way of my education."

My father taught himself how to read,

taught himself how to write.

Decided in the midst of Jim Crowism,

as America was breathing the last gasp of the Civil War,

my father decided he was gonna stand and be a man,

not a black man,

not a brown man, not a white man,

but a man.

He literally challenged himself to be the best that he could

all the days of his life.

I have four degrees,

my brother is a judge.

We're not the smartest ones in our family.

It's a third grade dropout daddy,

a third grade dropout daddy

who was quoting Michelangelo, saying to us,

"Boys, I won't have a problem if you aim high and miss

"but I'm gonna have a real issue

"if you aim low and hit."

A country mother quoting Henry Ford, saying,

"If you think you can or if you think you can't,

"you're right."

I learned that from a third grade drop, simple lessons.

Lessons like these.

"Son, you'd rather be an hour early

"than a minute late."

We never knew what time it was at my house

'cause the clocks were always ahead.

My mother said for nearly 30 years,

my father left the house at 3:45 in the morning.

One day she asked him, "Why, Daddy?"

He said, "Maybe one of my boys

"will catch me in the act of excellence."

I wanna share two things with you.

Aristotle said you are what you repeatedly do,

therefore excellence ought to be a habit not an act.

Don't ever forget that.

I know you're tough but always remember to be kind.

Always.

Don't ever forget that.

Never embarrass momma.

Mhmm.

(audience laughing)

Yeah, if momma ain't happy, ain't nobody happy.

If daddy ain't happy, don't nobody care but you know--

(audience laughing)

I tell you.

Next lesson,

lesson from a cook over there in the galley.

Son, make sure your servant's towel

is bigger than your ego.

Ego is the anesthesia that deadens the pain of stupidity.

Y'all might have a relative in mind

you wanna send that to.

Let me say it again.

(audience laughing)

Ego is the anesthesia that deadens the pain of stupidity.

Pride is the burden of a foolish person.

John Wooden coached basketball in UCLA for a living

but his calling was to impact people.

And with all those national championships,

guess what he was found doing in the middle of the week?

Going into the cupboard,

grabbing a broom and sweeping his own gym floor.

You wanna make an impact?

Find your broom.

Every day of your life,

you find your broom.

You grow your influence that way.

That way you're attracting people

so that you can impact them.

Final lesson.

"Son,

"you're gonna do a job,

"do it right."

I've always been told

how average I can be.

Always been criticized about being average

but I wanna tell you something.

I stand here before you,

before all of these people

not listening to those words

but telling myself every single day

to shoot for the stars,

to be the best that I can be.

Good enough isn't good enough

if it can be better.

And better isn't good enough

if it can be best.

Let me close with a very personal story

that I think will bring all this into focus.

Wisdom will come to you in the unlikeliest of sources.

A lot of times through failure.

When you hit rock bottom remember this,

while you're struggling,

rock bottom can also be a great foundation

on which to build

and on which to grow.

I'm not worried that you'll be successful.

I'm worried that you won't fail from time to time.

A person that gets up off the canvas and keeps growing,

that's the person

that will continue to grow their influence.

Back in the '70s,

to help me make this point,

let me introduce you to someone.

I met the finest woman I'd ever met in my life.

Mhmm.

(audience laughing)

Back in my day, we'd have called her a brick house.

(audience laughing)

This woman was the finest woman I'd ever seen in my life.

There's just one little problem.

Back then ladies didn't like big old line men.

The Blindside hadn't come out yet.

(audience laughing)

They liked quarterbacks and running backs.

We're at this dance

and I find out her name is Trina Williams

from Lompoc, California

and we were all dancing

and we're just excited

and I decide in the middle of dancing with her

that I would ask her for her phone number.

She, Trina was the first one,

Trina was the only woman in college

who gave me her real telephone number.

(audience laughing)

The next day we walked to Baskin and Robbins

ice cream parlor.

My friends couldn't believe it.

This has been 40 years ago

and my friends still can't believe it.

(audience laughing)

We go on a second date

and a third date

and a fourth date.

Mhmm.

(audience laughing)

We drive from Chico to Vallejo

so that she could meet my parents.

My father meets her.

My daddy, my hero, he meets her,

pulls me to the side and says, "Is she psycho?"

But anyway--

(audience laughing)

We go together for a year, two years,

three years, four years

by now Trina's a senior in college.

I'm still a freshman

but I'm working some things out.

(audience laughing)

I'm so glad I graduated in four terms.

Nixon, Ford, Carter, Reagan.

(audience laughing)

So now it's time to propose.

So I talked to her girlfriends

and it's California, it's in the '70s.

So it has to be outside,

have to have a candle and you have to have,

some chocolate.

Listen, I'm from the hood.

I had a bottle of Boone's Farm wine.

That's what I had.

(audience laughing)

She said yes!

That was the key.

I married the most beautiful woman

I'd ever seen in my--

'all ever been to a wedding

and even before the wedding starts you hear this.

"How in the world?"

(audience laughing)

And it was coming from my side of the family!

(audience laughing)

We get married, we have a few children.

Our lives are great.

One day Trina finds a lump in her left breast.

Breast cancer.

Six years after that diagnosis,

me and my two little boys walked up to mommy's casket

and for two years my heart didn't beat.

If it wasn't for my faith in God

I wouldn't be standing here today.

If it wasn't for those two little boys,

there'd have been no reason for which to go on.

I was completely lost.

That was rock bottom.

You know what sustained me?

The wisdom of a third grade dropout.

The wisdom of a simple cook.

We're at the casket.

I'd never seen my dad cry

but this time I saw my dad cry.

That was his daughter.

Trina was his daughter

not his daughter-in-law.

And I'm right behind my father

about to see her for the last time on this earth

and my father shared three words with me

that changed my life right there at the casket.

It would be the last lesson he would ever teach me.

He said, "Son,

"just stand.

"You keep standing.

"You keep standing.

"No matter how rough the sea, you keep standing.

"And I'm not talking about just water.

"You keep standing.

"No matter what, you don't give up."

And as clearly as I'm talking to you today,

these were some of her last words to me.

She looked me in the eye and she said,

"It doesn't matter to me any longer how long I live.

"What matters to me most

"is how I live."

I ask you all one question,

a question that I was asked all my life

by a third grade dropout.

"How you livin'?

"How you livin'?"

Everyday ask yourself that question.

How you livin'?

Here's, here's what a cook would suggest

you to live, this way.

That you would not judge,

that you would show up early,

that you'd be kind,

that you'd make sure that that servant's towel

is huge and used,

that if you're gonna do something,

you do it the right way.

That cook would tell you this,

that it's never wrong to do the right thing,

that how you do anything

is how you do everything.

And in that way you will grow your influence

to make an impact.

In that way you will honor all those

who have gone before you,

who have invested in you.

Look in those unlikeliest places for wisdom.

Enhance your life every day by seeking that wisdom

and asking yourself every night,

"How am I living?"

May God richly bless you all.

Thank you for having me.

(audience cheering and applauding)

(uplifting music)