Having people around you who drive your thoughts and insights is so valuable in the workplace, in your education or even in life itself. If you’re willing to listen, epiphanies can come from an old friend, a new friend or even the guy making your coffee. The point, I guess, is you have to be listening.

Many companies hire smart young professionals to infuse new ideas and life into the management structure. In the end you get a raise, new position or get fired. At Willamette, we are thrown into many different teams and forced to produce high quality work and defend your positions. You are constantly judged and either pass or fail.

Now in life it is a different story. Who does the review on you and your personal life? Not a boss or professor. Possibly God, if you believe in God, and even if He does you won’t know till it’s too late anyhow. So, the judge and jury is your own conscious. Some people are driven by money or power or people, but I’m driven by self. I’m driven by that little voice telling you to open that door for that person you don’t know or help unload the groceries for the guy you’ll never see again. By giving freely of myself at work, school and in my personal life, I get something better than money, power, or women. I get freedom. Different people are well…different and find life and happiness in different ways, but no matter who you are find your fight. Find the part of you that never gives up and makes you feel so euphoric you could float right off the couch you’re sitting on. Find your fight that gives your life that glow. I have and I hope you can too.