Within the walls of Microsoft we have an email called “Inside Track”. This email is sent out weekly and brings together a list of interesting stories related to the world of Microsoft. I am sure some people ignore this email but at times it really does have some real gems, this was one of those times.
The first story in today’s Inside Track focused on Randy Pausch Lecture presentation entitled “Randy Pausch Last Lecture: Achieving Your Childhood Dreams”. I heard of this before so I decided to spend a few minutes to check out the video (which turned out to be about 1 hour and 15 minutes long).
A bit over one hour later I was done, I simply could not stop watching the video. I found it to be inspiring, funny, interesting and entertaining. Honestly I am surprised at just how much time I invested here, but I will tell you ill do it again in the future, yes in my humble opinion this is that good to watch more then ones.
You’re still reading this?
So what you might say, who cares? Well I want you to care. I really want to ask you to do me a favor and go watch the video. Don’t keep reading this post, you need to watch this first. (be sure to click on the new “watch in high quality” link at the bottom of the video, it will improve the video quality a lot)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ji5_MqicxSo (Need more proof? the video has over 7 million views!)
My thoughts on the presentation
Welcome back, I know you clicked on the link above not intending to watch the whole video but did so and maybe even cried a little towards the end, or maybe that was just me?
Perhaps when a person watches something that does not relate to them they tune it out more then if it touches them, sparks concepts they already hold dear, for me this is that kind of video. I’ve never seen Randy speak before but I must say his concepts of following ones dream, not letting walls stop you, doing good for people, all hit the spot for me. Karma, yeah I think somehow it exists.
So if you care read on and hear me reflect on some of my dreams. I hope that after reading this you will send me a similar list, id love to hear it.
The first dream, I want an PC
My own dreams started when I was about 11, maybe that’s older then Randy but its the first time I can clearly recall something and classify it as a dream. My dream was simple: I wanted a computer. To archive this dream for a spoiled single-child family household was simple, I begged my parents. Money was tight for the new immigrant family and computers were not cheap but my parents believed that this was something I really wanted and got it for me (thanks Mom and Dad). If my memory reflects correctly the machine was an IBM 486 SX 25, with a 25 meg HD and 2 megs of ram. Thanks to the power of the Internet search I believe the picture below is the actual machine, wow what a blast from the past.
I think this story lands perfectly in Randy’s world because it shows the power of a dream even at a young age, powered by others (in this case my parents) who help you meet something that seems maybe even insignificant at the time but totally changes ones life. I’ve worked in Software Development for about 10 years now, I never had another career and I love what I do, how amazing is that.
The second dream, I want to be a cop
Later in life I had another dream, I wanted to become a Police Officer. Something crazy, me a kid born with heart defects who went through major sugary at a young age do something that physical? I mean I never even played sports, heck my parents would disown me for trying to do something physical for a change, not to mention potentially dangers. This dream seemed to die for a long time but I couldn't help but watch cop movies and shows (Law and Order anyone?) and dream of helping people.
Shortly before 9/11 in 2001 I graduated from the Auxiliary Police Training Program at the 61st precinct (in Brooklyn). This was an amazing time for me as through some new people I met by pure luck I learned about this exciting “Auxiliary” concept were I could try to be a cop to some degree without going through a very hard and physically intensive full training program at the NYPD Police Academy. Instead this locally provided precinct level training gave me enough to become an “Auxiliary Cop”.
Even though for some paperwork reasons I missed helping on 9/11, for six years shortly after this time I patrolled the streets of Brooklyn with some excellent volunteers and full time Police Officers. To my surprise I was raised to the rank of Sergeant even at a very young age and seniority level, but I really couldn't be more excited. I was helping people, I was making a difference, something I really hope more people would do in this world.
Again another dream had been fulfilled, but like Randy I didn’t take the full-time job. I found that while I was an Auxiliary that I simply loved technology a lot more.
Having worn the blue uniform and bullet proof vest for years I now have such a strong respect for Police Officers in NYC (and beyond) and the sacrifices they make daily to protect our large community. I’ve been to enough police funerals to know that its a dungarees job and a thankless one. Recently even two Auxiliary Cops were killed (RIP brothers). Next time a cop pulls you over for a speeding, just remember its not all they do.
In late 2007 I had retired from the program. I cannot imagine even to this day anything better then to try and help others, I wish I still did Auxiliary Policing but I simply cannot afford the volunteer time nor stand the offsetting politics that plague the department I was in.
The third dream, I want to work for Microsoft
I cannot say I always loved what I do for a living, sure computers are a ton of fun but its sometimes hard to say one goes to work and loves what they do. My view changed almost two years ago as I found “that passion” in software development and realized that perhaps working at the company who's development tools, operating systems and other technology I enjoyed so much would be extremely exciting. This spawned my dreams to work for Microsoft, but it seemed like a distant one.
Thanks to a friend pushing (you know who you are) I applied even though I saw nothing but walls and to my great surprise on February 22nd (my birthday) I formally signed the documents at the Microsoft Office that made it formalized, I was an employee. Another check on the list of dreams had been achieved, just dont ask me how it all came together.
Perhaps we should live in a world where the place you worked wasn’t this important, but in the real world what you do 9 to 5 impacts your image, train of thought and changes how people perceive you. “Where do you work” people ask as almost a first question in the “getting to know a person” process, and more then ever I understand why its a great thing to ask. Oh yeah and im proud to say “Microsoft”, no matter what those Mac Lovers say in response.
Its also funny how Microsoft’s new slogan is “Windows not walls”, again this could be taken (and might have been) directly from Randy’s inspirational lecture. See Windows my friends, see Windows.
Closing
I must admit that I have not stopped dreaming, I am working on a new dream for the last month or so but I must be careful what I wish for, it might come true!
The above list though is some damn significant ones. Sure there are other things like my great friends, my wonderful wife, and the cat at my parents house who only pretends like he hates me. But just like Randy says, some things are out-of-scope.
Instead let me say that I had some excellent role models, colleagues, bosses, parents, friends and now wife who help lift me up through my life and on a daily basis. I am very lucky to have many of my dreams realized, and I just hope I can continue the trend.
Please readers, dont give up on your dreams.
In closing here is my personal list of direct lessons found in Randy’s video:
- Dream Big
- Don’t let people stop you by saying you cant reach your goal
- Have specific dreams
- Have something to bring to the table to help motivate others to let you reach your dreams
- Without fundamentals you cannot do the fancy stuff
- When no one is telling you that you are screwing up, then they have given up on you (Your critic tell you that they care)
- We don’t send our kids to learn to play Football, but the indirect stuff like team work
- Captain Kirk is not the smartest guy on the ship, but he has leadership
- The brick walls are not there to keep us out, they are there to test just how badly we want something (Personal note: be careful what you wish for)
- Ask people for something when they cannot say no
- Wait long enough and people will surprise you, even the really bad people
- Its very important to know "when you are in a pissing match" and its very important to get out of it as quickly as possible
- Its critical how you say things. Like a good and bad way to say "I don’t know"
- When you see the most amazing work you've ever seen from your people, look them in the eye and tell them "guys I know that was pretty good, but I know you can do better". Not to beat them down, but to inspire them. Let people find the bar, don’t set it for them
- Making people excited and happy is a wonderful gift
- If you dishonor yourself, kill yourself in a spectacular fashion on a stage
- If you do something pioneering you will get the "Arrows in the back", everything that can go wrong, will!
- Working in groups is a key factor for success
- What everyone should be doing, "helping others"
- The people who help us, typically starting with your parents are key to your success
- Don’t stop having fun
- Loyalty is a two-way street
- Karma man, tell the truth. Because guess what, you will need people to help you.
- When you get schewed out, listen to the feedback and use it to improve
- Be prepared when luck arrives
What’s your list?