Class of 2013: Do Stuff You Don’t Like!

I’ve attended quite a few college commencements where the theme is always something like, “Pursue what you love, and something good will happen.”

I still remember one of my commencements, which was performed by the consummate professional curmudgeon – the late Andy Rooney.

Even Mr. Rooney squeezed out a pep talk about doing what we like, and it will all work out well for us in the end. It was funny and entertaining, and at that age, I accepted it - as did many of my fellow classmates.

Today, I say: Don’t do it! Instead, try things that hurt a little, that scare you, that are uncomfortable – do that!

You don’t have to end up becoming great at things that you don’t love, but you do want to conquer them. You don’t need to become fluent at stuff you dislike, but you do want a strong command – especially in disciplines that you wouldn’t naturally gravitate towards.

In retrospect, I would have preferred a speech to include something like:

• Would it hurt to work a little harder?
• Go make yourself useful.
• Eat your vegetables (i.e. Stop hiding your peas in your mashed potatoes).
• Get out of your comfort zone.
• Leave the cocoon.
• Be relevant.
• Push the envelope.

If you really want to "be anything you want be," it’s not enough to just do what you love. There are lots of talented people in the world; those who succeed will be multi-functional, collaborative, motivated and perpetually inquisitive.

There are many ways to measure success in this life. Hopefully, it’s a no-brainer that you’re supposed to leave the world a better place than you found it. Otherwise, you shouldn’t be graduating anything.

But, I know that more than a few graduates have the practicalities of careers and finances on their minds on graduation day. On that note; I would say, Work hard.

Moreover, I doubt the folks at the top of the big money lists spent time burning through the pages of: The 4-Hour Workweek or Really Fast Money.

So, if you happen to be dreaming that you are a budding Bill Gates, Carlos Slim Helú, George Soros, Li Ka-shing, Oprah Winfrey, Charles & David Koch, Rosalia Mera, or [fill in name here] – I suggest that they all probably invested a lot of time in some things that weren’t natural or easy for them.

You’ll get a lot of satisfaction and even more confidence by working through challenges, and it will help you break through the obstacles that everyone faces.

And, eventually – once you’re comfortable that it’s all within reach; then ABSOLUTELY do what you love and success will follow. Have the nerve to follow your heart and intuition.

Scare yourself once in a while. You’ll remember it forever. You’ll feel alive. You’ll indefinitely find new rocks to turn.