California -- SDSU Leadership Summit

I just returned from being the keynote speaker at the San Diego State University Leadership Summit. It was a great experience! I was able to connect with so many wonderful college and graduate students. I remember being in their position. Longing to be successful but unsure of the path. I shared with them many of the principles that allowed me to find success both professionally and personally. The most important, being choosing to maintain your values. In our society, we watch leaders rise and fall more than the cost of gasoline. Its not that they lack talent. More often, they lack the character to sustain them in their positions of success. No one is perfect...especially not me. Yet, every day, I try to remind myself of my values and ask God's help in upholding them. Values such as treating everyone with courtesy and respect, regardless of how rude they are to me. Using self control and discipline over the words I speak to myself and others. Sacrificing for those around me. And making every decision while considering the individuals that it will impact, as opposed to selfishly only considering myself. Short term success might be attained from breaking the rules. But long term success and true peace of mind, is only found in maintaining your values.