This UCLA "Academy Award" Speech Was All About YOU!

I call it my Academy Award because the “UCLA Extension Distinguished Instructor Award in the category of Engineering and Technology” is way too long.??

This award ceremony was not like that hyped-up Oscar ceremony where you have to wear a tux and navigate the paparazzi. And there were no swag bags or wild after-parties.

Instead, this?was an opportunity to reflect on the most important life lessons I shared while teaching over 80 courses in strategic thinking, project management, and personal reinvention to emerging leaders.

After the Dean introduced me, I took the podium and began.

“I’d like to thank those who made this award possible -- my amazing students over the years, the ten thousand managers, geeks, engineers, nuclear scientists, entrepreneurs, game designers, and other brainy folks who survived my unorthodox teaching style and are now changing the world.

In my classes, I share the best knowledge I have on the course topic.

But in addition, I weave into the course these ten life tips. My mission was not to just make them better leaders on the job, but also better people in their life.”

1.?Stop competing with other people.

This sounds paradoxical to high achievers but If you play this game, you set yourself up for disappointment. There’s always somebody smarter, faster, richer, better looking, or luckier than you. Instead, put your focus on becoming the very best you can be. If you wish to compete, compete with yourself. That's a game you can win.

2.?Go for what you want!

Get clear about your goals. Write them down – think it and ink it. Diversify your goal portfolio with personal, family, financial, career, relationship, fun, toys, community, spiritual, and whatever goals. Start with the rocking chair test… Imagine at age 95, looking back on a successful life, what would you be most proud of doing, being, contributing and having?

3.?Manage Your Career Like a Business

Think like a one-person business enterprise, because you are.??Your company is simply your main customer. Start by crafting your purpose statement, AKA your life mission. Manage your key business functions – marketing, service delivery, finance, R&D (learning), human resources, and technology -- like the hotshot CEO you know yourself to be.

4.?Develop a distinctive edge

Sure, you’re a great systems engineer, but so are 50,000 others and you all look the same. Don’t be a commodity. Differentiate yourself. Stand out from the crowd by adding skills outside of your main domain. The systems engineer who also builds incredible teams will always be in demand. Make 30% of your learning outside of your main field. Hybridize yourself.

5.?Be your own best friend

It's so easy to crap all over ourselves, especially after setbacks.??Hey, me, cut yourself some slack. Sure, do your best, but when it doesn't work out, don't beat yourself up. Learn and get better.??When you F.A.I.L., spell it out right -- First Attempt in Learning.?

6.?Manage Your Internal Dialogue

Tune into your self-talk, and watch your wild Monkey Mind in action. Notice that much of the messages internally voiced are self-putdowns, doubt, and criticism.?Think about it …if you spoke this way to your friends, you wouldn't have any!?Upgrade your internal messaging to be supportive and self-inspiring.

7.?Hang around with positive?people

Are the people around you going for their dreams in life, or are they negative and cynical??Does your circle of friends and colleagues uplift and support you??And do you do the same for them? Build up a network of positive, cheerleading friends. Painful as it may seem, you may need to back away from the putter-downers and drama kings currently in your life. Wish them well, love them, but protect your spirit.

8.?Develop Your SuperPowers

The world moves too fast to stagnate.??The pace of change requires us to keep learning, stay agile, and manage our inner game. Walking the same trail over and over creates a path, which becomes a rut, and eventually a grave.??There lies within each of us dormant qualities waiting to be discovered. Awaken them.

9.?Help others to achieve their goals

The best way to achieve your dreams is to help others to reach theirs. When you do make a positive contribution to others, you empower yourself. Pay it forward because what goes around comes around.

10. Make Schmidt Happen!

Start taking action! Sitting back, and waiting for the perfect time weakens your self-esteem muscles.?The universe rewards action. What can you do today that has a fast-forward ripple effect on your future?

I hope these points resonate with you and you take one small step to put them into action today !

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Terry Schmidt is an expert in developing strategic plans and turning them into actionable projects. He is the author of?Strategic Project Management Made Simple, which features a breakthrough systems thinking methodology to get better results faster. He helps leaders and teams to sharpen their strategies and deliver outstanding results. www.ManagementPro.com