The following is an edited version of Mr. Hallbright’s graduation commencement speech for MLK’s Class of 2018. It’s one of my favorite graduation speeches ever. It’s also very self-development oriented, so I thought I’d share it here.

Class of 2018,

You managed to squeak through your four to six years at MLK. Most, if not all, of you will be pursuing one of the single best investments in long-term financial planning and life satisfaction: higher education. As a fellow (significantly older) millennial, I’ve compiled a few solid pieces of general guidelines to success and happiness.

1. Forget motivation.

We spend billions of dollars year after year seeking to figure out how to motivate students, employees, voters, consumers, everyone. Motivation is fleeting and capricious – focus on discipline. Discipline, like the muscles in your body, grows stronger with use. If you start by deciding that you’ll study more and stick to that for a month consistently, not only will your grades go up, but you will find it easier as it becomes habit. You will also find it easier to exert discipline elsewhere in life. It enables you to take better control of your sleep schedule, eating habits, working out! Regardless of whether you are starting at a community college or an Ivy, the difference between yourself and your peers will most likely be determined by your grit and determination.

2. Communicate.

In order for you to maintain and grow any of your interpersonal relationships, open and honest communication is necessary. It doesn’t matter if you’re talking to a friend, a co-worker, or your future spouse. Additionally, you must communicate freely with those you disagree with. A little bit of knowledge and engagement with the other side goes a long way to avoiding tribalism and the stewing of resentment.

3. Stay involved!

Specifically, in your government and politics. In many elections for county level seats, less than a thousand people may vote. While local elections may not feel as important, they control more about your lives than the federal government likely ever will. They are also the foot in the door for politics in general and are the training ground for the next generation of state and federal leaders.

4. Save your money.

Take $1,000 as soon as you have it, find a low-cost Roth IRA, and invest in low-cost index funds. Put money in (maxing out at $4,500/year) and don’t touch it until you retire. Find a credit card with no annual fee and treat it like your debit card, immediately paying off what you owe. Good credit can save you money down the line when you make larger purchases.

5. Enjoy your hobbies.

You might play D&D, you might play League. Maybe you love to run, lift, or read. Cosplay, writing screenplays, taking up metal working, video editing or playing an instrument – whatever your (non-harmful) choice is. Hobbies are incredibly important for maintaining your mental health and often serve as negative reinforcers against your stress. On top of all that, when you find someone else who shares your obsession of an otherwise niche hobby, you’ll be that much closer to finding a life-long friend. Not to mention if there’s anything the internet has taught us, it’s the value of becoming outrageously good at some exceedingly niche skill – there’s no better way to start a YouTube channel or become a Twitch partner.

6. Be a lifelong learner.

Read a book, watch a documentary, read some journals or articles. Just like your muscles – if you don’t work out, they will atrophy into nothing. During your college years your brain will finally finish developing. Don’t squander it at the buzzer. Use it or lose it.

7. Question everything.

Find your own independent research. Independent sources do not guarantee veracity of that source. This means you may have to read or listen to several articles on an event – particularly political events – to get a complete picture. Ask what it’s attempting to manipulate you into thinking, feeling, or doing. Examine who stands to profit from each side’s perspective. It takes some work to really know what’s going on.

8. Go outside and do something moderately active.

There are few things we have determined to have health benefits unanimously as a scientific community. The one thing it seems everyone agrees on is exercise. Walk, jog, hike, play a sport. Mild to moderate cardio exercise has been found to be universally beneficial for everyone, both physically and mentally – even staving off the effects of dementia – and thus, chances are you could use some more.

9. Find your people.

I don’t mean your race, national origin, or – heaven forbid – religion (pun entirely intended of course). Seek out people who make you better. Life is nothing if not a constant striving for improvement. Find those people you perceive as smarter, kinder, and better than yourself. Choosing your peers is tremendously important as you go into college and life thereafter. That being said – not everyone has to make the team. Make cuts when someone is an unhealthy or negative influence on your life. It is not your duty to be friends with everyone – keep it at polite and move on when it becomes clear that neither of you are benefitting from your relationship.

10. Be an idealist.

Dream big, and work hard enough to fill the holes that will inevitably be punched through that dream. Idealism is the fuel that solves the world’s largest and most obstinate problems. Find your cause, whether it’s education, global warming, constitutional law, medicine, or some tiny issue the world does not seem to notice. Often through life motivation will have left you and your discipline muscle may be exhausted, but reigniting that idealism will push you that much closer to success.

I in no way guarantee your results with this advice, but it’s worked for me so far. Good luck slackers and nerds. May you all be more like the Knopes, Potters, or best of all, Teddy Roosevelts of the world.

Be good.

[original]