During graduation season, we turn our Sunday Video Series to the notable commencement speeches happening on college campuses throughout the country. Last year, Chris Sacca posed the tough question, “What is success?” He gave the simple answer of “happiness,” and supplied graduates with a seven-step plan.
One week ago, Jay Adelson, a veteran internet entrepreneur maybe best known for co-founding Digg, gave graduates another piece of advice to arm themselves with on their hopeful journey to success.
“In the end,” Adelson said, “it’s your passion, not your ability to follow rules, that will qualify you.”
The idea of “being qualified” was central to Adelson’s talk, one in which he shared a series of entrepreneurial stories. From his early days helping build the internet’s infrastructure to his days leading Revision3, he’s admitted he’s always had overcome his fear of inadequacy.
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“It’s a voice inside my head and it’s one that I was born with,” Adelson said, “and it repeats itself over and over again. It says, ‘I am not qualified.’ I’ve heard that voice in so many moments.”
Given to the graduates of Boston University‘s College of Communication, Adelson’s commencement speech is one of the best I’ve heard. It’s an excellent way to spend 30 minutes this long holiday weekend.
Credits: Video from Boston University on YouTube
