Inspiration ...

When I started graduate school I did not know anyone at the school and felt a little lost. I had decided to go back to school and get my MBA to (hopefully) boost my struggling career. I was "starting over". I knew that I was signing up for a mountain of student loans but, for some reason, the study of business just "felt right" to me.

Shortly after I moved into my dorm room on campus, I picked up the local campus newspaper and stumbled upon a full page advertisement (if you could call it that) by Apple. There was no reference to computers or any of their products. In fact, the only way I knew it was (probably) paid for by Apple was the small black logo in the upper left corner.

The words had a big impact on me at the time. They made me think about what I wanted to accomplish during my two years at the school ... and beyond.

I still have the advertisement. The paper has yellowed a little over the years but the words still ring true. I've referred to them many times and found that they always provide inspiration...

Dream Big !

If there were ever a time to dare,
to make a difference,
to embark on something worth doing,
it is now.
Not for any grand causes, necessarily -
but for something that tugs at your heart,
something that's your aspiration,
something that is your dream.

You owe it to yourself
to make your days here count.
Have Fun.
Dig deep.
Stretch.

Dream big.

Know, though, that things worth doing
seldom come easy.
There will be good days.
And there will be bad days.
There will be times when you want to turn around,
pack it up,
and call it quits.
Those times tell you
that you are pushing yourself,
that you are not afraid to learn by trying.

Persist.

Because with an idea,
determination,
and the right tools,
you can do great things.
Let your instincts,
your intellect,
and your heart
guide you.

Trust.

Believe in the incredible power of the human mind.
Of doing something that makes a difference.
Of working hard.
Of laughing and hoping.
Of lazy afternoons.
Of lasting friends.
Of all the things that will cross your path this year.

The start of something new
brings the hope of something great.
Anything is possible.
There is only one you.
And you will pass this way only once.
Do it right.