Denzel Washington stood in front of Dillard University’s graduating class of 2015 in New Orleans over the weekend giving an inspirational commencement speech focused on finding success.
The Oscar winner, who said he initially flunked out of college with a 1.7 GPA before becoming a successful actor, broke his speech into the four points highlighted below:
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Put God first: “I’ve been protected, I’ve been directed, I’ve been corrected. I’ve kept God in my life and it’s kept me humble. I didn’t always stick with him, but he always stuck with me.”
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Fail big: "Don’t be afraid to think outside the box. Don't be afraid to fail big, to dream big, but remember, dreams without goals, are just dreams. And they ultimately fuel disappointment. …And, understand to achieve these goals you must apply discipline and consistency."
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You'll never see a U-Haul behind a hearse: “It’s not how much you have, it’s what you do with what you have. …That’s where the success is, in helping others.”
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Say thank you: “Say thank you in advance for what’s already yours, that’s how I live my life. … True desire in the heart for anything good is God's proof to you sent beforehand to indicate that it’s yours already.”
Washington also ended on one more powerful note: “Don’t just aspire to make a living, aspire to make a difference.”
Watch his motivational speech below and please SHARE his advice!
