Let’s start with the definition:
Perseverance:
noun per·se·ver·ance \ˌpər-sə-ˈvir-ən(t)s\
Steady persistence in a course of action, a purpose, a state, etc., especially in spite of difficulties, obstacles, or discouragement.
I was graciously invited to speak at a STEM school this month in front of 6th and 7th graders. For those of you that do not know about STEM, the acronym is: Science, Technology, Engineering and Math. They had a Career Summit and I was originally asked to present as a “Personal Trainer”.
Odd choice in my mind as a career manufacturing dude. After giving it some thought, however, I decided to a presentation from what I do as my day job. I am a self-employed, full-time dreamer doing design engineering with a focus on critical thinking. I asked hard questions throughout the presentation. Asking for feedback constantly wanting to know the “What If?” scenarios, engaging them was refreshingly easy. I am blown away by the acumen of the young brains. The nimbleness, the ability to really ask questions that the typical associate I deal with on a day-to-day basis would not ask, or even more relevantly not think of.
In my mind, the reason why these kids have the stellar ability to ask the inquisitive questions is they still have a massive amount of curiosity. They are not to the point where there experiences and education gets in the way of their open-mindedness. What better way too influence somebody than to talk to them when they are 12 and 13 years old?
In my presentations I always hit on the big things. Not just the engineering and design things but the usual life stuff.
• Find a job that you love (no matter what it is) and it will never be a job.
• Read books-The only difference between now and 5 years from now will be the people that you meet and the books that you read.
• Enjoy the little things
• Don’t let anybody tell you can’t and if they do….know that you can.
• Think “through” the proverbial box. And then and only then make a decision and DO NOT look back.
I don’t know if anyone caught any of that in the presentations, but if I was able to get to just one mind, just one. The payback is tenfold. When roaming the halls before I was to start I was trying to get a feel of what the atmosphere was like. The kids had paintings above the lockers showing strong words with meaning. This is the only picture I snapped.
It relates to everything you do. This one word can make it all happen. Everything!
Be a Maker.
Todd