4 min readNew DelhiMay 16, 2023 08:00 PM IST
First published on: May 16, 2023 at 08:00 PM IST
Bill Gates is widely regarded as an inspiring figure owing to his pioneering work in the field of technology and his philanthropic efforts. As such, the younger generation often looks up to the 67-year-old for lessons to make it big in life; and he made sure to give the same when he delivered a commencement speech at Northern Arizona University. “As I prepared for today, I thought about how you, as new graduates, can have the biggest impact on the world with the education you received here. That led me to think about the graduation I never had, the commencement speech I never heard, and the advice I wasn’t given on a day just like this one,” he said.
As such, Gates shared five things with the batch of 2023 which he wishes he was told at the graduation he never attended as he dropped out of college after three semesters to start Microsoft.
He told students that their lives aren’t one-act plays. “You probably feel a lot of pressure right now to make the right decisions about your career. It might feel like those decisions are permanent. They’re not. What you do tomorrow — or for the next 10 years — does not have to be what you do forever,” he said.
sharing that while he initially thought he would work at Microsoft for the rest of his life, it’s philanthropy that was eventually his calling. “Not only is it okay to change your mind or have a second career… it can be a very good thing,” Gates said.
The business tycoon also asked everyone to remember that you are never too smart to be confused. “At some point in your career, you will find yourself facing a problem you cannot solve on your own. When that happens, don’t panic. Take a breath. Force yourself to think things through. And then find smart people to learn from,” he said, adding that whatever he has accomplished came because he sought out others who knew more.
Saying that “the key is not to be afraid to ask”, he added, “You may be done with school. But you can—and should—see the rest of your life as an education.”
Further during the commencement speech, he shared that one should gravitate toward work that solves an important problem. “When you spend your days doing something that solves a big problem, it energises you to do your best work. It forces you to be more creative, and it gives your life a strong sense of purpose.”
Gates also advised young graduates to not underestimate the power of friendship. “The only thing more valuable than what you walk offstage with today is who you walk onstage with,” he said, sharing that your friends are not just your classmates but also your network.
Finally, he concluded by asking everyone to take breaks from work. “My last piece of advice is the one I could have used the most. It took me a long time to learn. And it is this: You are not a slacker if you cut yourself some slack,” he said, sharing that when he was younger, he didn’t believe in vacations or weekends.
However, as he got older, he realised that life is more than just work. “Don’t wait as long as I did to learn this lesson. Take time to nurture your relationships, to celebrate your successes, and to recover from your losses. Take a break when you need to. Take it easy on the people around you when they need it, too,” Gates said.
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Bill Gates shares life lessons with youngsters (Source: Reuters) 
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