'I Wish I Had Known'

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How often do you think of some mistake you made when you were young, wishing someone would have warned you, given you a heads-up, or the needed wisdom to avoid the critical error? 

Perhaps they did, but at that age, listening and hearing were never in perfect harmony. 

Mark Twain once said, "When I was a boy of 14, my father was so ignorant I could hardly stand to have the old man around. But when I got to be 21, I was astonished at how much the old man had learned in seven years.” 

When Texas A&M Basketball Coach Buzz Williams speaks, people should listen. Williams is a dedicated leader, a highly-disciplined person with a routine few could challenge. 

His wisdom comes from a genuine place — offering great advice for all ages. His occupation is as a basketball coach, but his vocation is making those around him better students, coaches, leaders and parents. 

Recently, Williams was invited to give the commencement address at his son’s school, Allen Academy in Texas. 

Williams, as all great speakers should, understood his audience. 

No one wanted to hear a long speech or a lecture on a day in which celebrating the achievement is the first order of business. Lectures are how the students arrived at this place, and the last thing they needed was another. 

Williams understood what would resonate would be something short and flowing, a poignant message for the graduates to take with them into the real world. 

As you can see in this video, Williams sets a timer, then gives the graduates three pieces of advice he wished someone would have bestowed upon him when he was a young man. 

1. No Guard Rails. From this day forward, each student is now responsible for the choices he/she makes in his life — from how long he sleeps, if he studies, what he eats, whom they make friends with. Their parents or guardians are still with them; yet, they are no longer responsible for their decisions. There isn’t dinner time or a wake-up call. Everything from this moment forward is controlled by you. There is no magic pill, no secret pathways toward a successful career. Everything is available as long as they work hard and understand their choices will define their life. 

2. Climb Your Own Mountain. Be authentic, be true to yourself, don’t live someone else’s life. Don’t allow greed or jealousy to control your actions. Find what brings joy to your life and chase it. Williams was echoing the same advice Hunter Thompson would often tell young people: “Beware of looking for goals, look for a way of life. Determine how you want to live and see what you can do to make a living with that way of life.” It’s your life, find your mountain and climb it.

3. What’s the Aim. Williams handed out a protractor to the students to understand where they are headed — what their pathway is. Williams wants the students to pay attention to the angle of their new relationships, their new teachers, new school. He urges them to pay attention to the angles that can multiple your life. Teachers, mentors, friends who can help you grow in all areas, who add value to your life. Avoid those who subtract from your life, who zap energy, whose aim is different that yours. 

Thanks for the great message, Buzz. These words of wisdom will help young people — while serving as a critical reminder for all ages. 

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