Sunday Video: Chris Sacca answers ‘What is success?’

After taking a break these past two weeks, the Sunday Video Series is back with a timely video for the closing of graduation season. Delivered on May 16 at the Carlson School of Management – University of Minnesota, the video below is the commencement speech of notable Silicon Valley angel investor and entrepreneur Chris Sacca.…

After taking a break these past two weeks, the Sunday Video Series is back with a timely video for the closing of graduation season. Delivered on May 16 at the Carlson School of Management – University of Minnesota, the video below is the commencement speech of notable Silicon Valley angel investor and entrepreneur Chris Sacca.

In his 30-minute speech, Sacca answers the tough question of “What is success?” with the simple answer of “Happiness.” But to clarify, and to make sure he gives the graduates a roadmap for reaching happiness, Sacca lays out a seven step plan.

In his introduction, Sacca said:

What’s the key to success? Well in my experience, quite simply, success is happiness. It all comes down to happiness … that happiness that quite literally fills your lungs. The kind of happiness that makes a noise, it announces its arrival with a deep inhale and a deep exhale.

He then lays out this seven step plan:

  • 8:40 – Step 1: Press Control+Alt+Delete – “Today’s the chance to hit control+alt+delete on your life”
  • 11:02 – Step 2: Be present – “We owe each other our full attention”
  • 14:50 – Step 3: Go on offense – “Never in history have there been fewer barriers in the way”
  • 18:54 – Step 4: Be helpful – “You have the tools at your disposal to have great impact on the world”
  • 23:10 – Step 5: Maintain the ability to sleep well at night – “It’s amazing that in 2011, ethics are still such a problem in business”
  • 25:15 – Step 6: Be your weird self – “Weirdness is why we adore our friends … weirdness is what bonds us to our colleagues, weirdness is what sets us apart and gets us hired”
  • 27:45 – Step 7: Be a proud Carlson Gopher – “You weren’t just trained here, you learned with a capital L”

This story is part of the AIM Archive

This story is part of the AIM Institute Archive on Silicon Prairie News. AIM gifted SPN to the Nebraska Journalism Trust in January 2023. Learn more about SPN’s origin »

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