By Daniel Becerra

My second year in university is now done. What a time. As a kid, I used to look forward to be a University student, and then a professional. I always wanted to be like my Dad and Mom. I wanted to be the person who knew where things were, the person who took care of things, the person who brought income to the home – a ‘grown up’ if you will.

My older half-brother and Mom actually went college as I grew up (as well as all of my cousins, which I must say, are not that many) so in a way, I’m privileged to have that as an inspiration, or perhaps, a fear of disappointing. Although, I was never conscious of it, I was – to a certain extent – afraid of disappointing my family, which is a series of professionals from doctors and private teachers to bankers and engineers and even lawyers. I never intended to be the ‘oveja negra’ (the black sheep), the ugly duck, as they say. I did not want to be the one who couldn’t get things done.

I received pressure from every side. Dad wanted me to be an engineer. Mom wanted me to be a lawyer. When I actually was able to use my brain, I first inclined toward engineering. Though, shortly after taking trigonometry, I decided math was not for me. That, I guess, broke Dad’s heart. I then developed a new passion for literature, and reasoning, so I began to lean toward Law – needless to say Mom was happy. That didn’t help to Dad’s already injured soul. Shortly after that ‘decision’ though, an innocent call took place (it always begins with a call)

And so I came to this country, the United States

And my philosophy was shaped. I met extraordinary people and heard of extraordinary thinkers. I read (and continue to read) the works of modern thinkers like Jim Rohn, Anthony Robbins, Stephen Covey, Jeffrey Gitomer, Charlie Jones, Barack Obama (yes); along with the giants of the past, Benjamin Franklin, Abraham Lincoln, Martin Luther King Jr. The list continues to grow. It didn’t take me long to decide that I wanted to do for the rest of my life was to be like one of these guys. That I would be a enlightenment thinker and that my life is meant to stir up people’s minds, souls, and hearts, so that we come together despite our differences, and that we take care of ourselves (which will help us take care of each other) first before taking care of others.

I don’t criticize universities. I think they are great institutes, of course, but sometimes I just wished they stressed the importance of several things. These are just some of them:

* Most people think of changing the world, but very few think of changing themselves – that’s not how it works. It all begins with you. If you grow, the world around you grows. So take care of yourself first, and thereof, others will be taken care of.

* You really are the average of the people you hang out with most often. Therefore, strike to hang out with the very best at all the areas needed in life. Hang out with those who know the value of hard work, responsibility, spirituality, and gratitude.

* Always do the one thing that you love. Fight for it, if you have. Your parents, your friends, and others cannot decide what you will do for the rest of your life. Don’t think about the money; for it’s better to have an empty stomach than it is to have an empty heart. Besides, you’ll make plenty of it, if and only if you do what you love.

* Money is not the root of all evil. Fear is. Some people use money as make up for their fear of rejection. This fear is not there to paralyze us, but to make us stronger. To paralyze ourselves is to succumb to evil.

* Opposite to popular belief, power is not a bad thing. Power is the medium, but the object behind it is the force. So, power to good people does good for others. Power to bad people, is always bad news.

* Most rich people (in money and spirit) want the poor to succeed.

* You can make more friends in one month by showing interest in others, than you can make in one year by trying to get others interested in you. In the same way, you can achieve whatever you want if you just helped others enough to achieve what they want.

* The 80/20 rule: All leaders must understand that 80% of a group of people only do 20% of the work, and the other 20% of the group will do 80% of the work. That 20% will produce 80% of the income, of productivity, of resilience. Don’t fight that, just work around it. Do so by spending personal time with the 20% group, and spend group time with the 80% group.

* Everything that you need to know in order to be truly successful has already been written. There is not one issue that someone else hasn’t faced before. These books are not only answer-finders, but they also shape your philosophy and outlook in life – therefore, miss a meal if needed, but not a book.

* As a nation, we lack enough ‘empathy’. If each of us asked ourselves ‘How would that feel if they did to me?’, then perhaps we would closer despite our differences. Always ask yourself ‘How would that feel?’ and then ‘What should I do then?’

* Journals are a way of getting to know more of yourself. If the idea or thought is worth writing down, then take the time to do so. Indeed, a journal is one of those treasures to pass on from generation to generation.

* Time is more valuable than money. You can get more money, but you can never get more time. Thereof, strike to figure how to make better use of your time, not how to make more money.

* Business leadership is over rated. It is family, friendship, and relationship leadership that moves the world. So if there is a ever a place to practice leadership, it’s at home, at a social gathering, and with your partner.

* The dawn comes after the dark. And the good thing is, the dawn always comes, no matter how long the dark may feel. Therefore, remember the words of Winston Churchill: Never,ever, never give up.

In the hope that you found this inspiring and you use it as a guidance for your future, I’ll leave you. Feel free to add whatever you’d like to add – after all, teaching is one of the fastest ways of learning. Be well.

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