In the wake of Professor Randy Pausch’s recent passing, I decided to read my household’s recently purchased copy of “The Last Lecture” and watch the related video. The video shows a lecture held by Randy Pausch a few months before his passing following the rapid onset of a terminal illness.
Pausch’s cheerful determination and the brave presence of his wife at the lecture are most admirable. He explained at the outset that he planned to discuss three topics: how to achieve your dreams, how to enable the dreams of others; and, lessons learned. While watching the lecture you realize that the scope of the talk moves beyond these topics. Pausch’s ideas are illuminating for students, everyday citizens, academics and teachers of children from the Early Childhood years onwards.
Pausch suggested that people need to decide if they are an Eeyore or a Tigger. He explained that you cannot control how the cards are dealt to you in life, but you can control your attitude about your situation and how you play your cards.
It is not surprising to hear that Pausch saw “brick walls” as opportunities for the truly dedicated to show their passion and determination. They are simply a mechanism to filter out the less committed. In his talk, Pausch illustrates how he kept pursuing his dreams and his goals even when he encountered obstacles. “Don’t bail”, he advised, “the best gold is at the bottom of the barrel.” Lead your life the right way and this gold – your dreams – will come to you.
Here are some examples of the advise he offers. For each of these suggestions you will probably think about a story or circumstance that validates what Pausch believed.
- Students learn “head fake” learning indirectly while pursuing other activities. For example, while learning a sport, children learn teamwork, sportsmanship and perseverance. Examples of “head fake” learning may be found everywhere.
- Experience is what you get when you did not get what you wanted.
- Captain Kirk was not the smartest guy compared to his colleagues, but he had strong leadership skills AND cool toys.
- To be a success focus on people and learning how to work in groups.
- Consider the important role that parents, mentors and students play in your life.
- Allow your children to paint their rooms, if they ask.
- Never lose your childlike sense of wonder. It is too important. It is what drives us.
- Help others.
- Loyalty is a two-way street.
- People will help you if you remember to tell the truth, be earnest, apologize when you screw up and focus on other people.
- Get a feedback loop and listen to it. Anyone can get chewed out, but it is the rare person who appreciates receiving difficult feedback.
- Show gratitude
- Don’t complain. Just work harder.
- Work hard. That’s the secret to success.
- Be good at something, it makes you valuable.
- Find the best in everybody, no matter how long you have to wait for them to show it. Everybody has a good side.
- Be prepared. “Luck” is where preparation meets opportunity.
For more insight into Pausch’s approach towards living his life, read “The Last Lecture“.
While watching the recording of the lecture, I could not help but think of the relationship between Pausch and the members of the audience. Surely it was filled with colleagues, mentors, his students and family members. Pausch and his audience members were emotionally invested in each other and must have cherished such a poignant moment – one of the last times that they would be together.
Even at such a difficult time, Pausch explained that he was not dying. He was having fun and was going to keep having fun every day he had left because there is no other way to play it.
ABC special about The Last Lecture with Diane Sawyer.
