Businessman, Former CEO of Coca-Cola Enterprises
Commencement speech at N/A, N/A
Brian J. Dyson served as the CEO of Coca-Cola, one of the world's leading beverage companies. During his tenure, Dyson was known for his leadership and management skills, guiding Coca-Cola through a period of growth and innovation. His career at the company spanned several decades, and he played a pivotal role in shaping the brand's global presence. Dyson's contributions to the business world, particularly in the beverage industry, left a lasting impact.
10 top life lessons by Brian J. Dyson
- Balance in Life: The tradition of wearing mortarboards teaches balance, a key to a happy life.
- Life is Surprising: Embrace life’s surprises and opportunities, as they can lead to wonderful experiences.
- Exploring Diverse Paths: Life often takes unexpected turns, and these experiences contribute to personal growth and happiness.
- Recognize Your Limitations: Acknowledge your limitations, but don’t let self-doubt hold you back.
- Don’t Worry About What Others Think: Don’t be afraid to pursue your dreams, and don’t worry about what others may think of you.
- Having a Dream: Having a dream is essential; it can lead to incredible achievements with perseverance and faith.
- Love Yourself: Focus on self-love and self-acceptance, as it’s essential for happiness and success.
- Self-Sufficiency: Ensure you have an income source to take care of yourself and achieve self-sufficiency.
- Look Out at the World: Spend more time looking out at the world than at yourself in the mirror; personality matters more than appearance.
- Feminism and Equality: Embrace feminism as a movement for equality and don’t tolerate sexism.
Best quotes of Brian J. Dyson‘s speech
"Nothing is really over until the moment you stop trying.""Life is not a race but a journey to be savored each step of the way."
"Knowledge is weightless, a treasure you can always carry easily."
Commencement speech transcript
“Nothing is really over until the moment you stop trying. “
Imagine life as a game in which you are juggling some five balls in the air. You name them – work, family, health, friends and spirit … and you’re keeping all of these in the air.
You will soon understand that work is a rubber ball. If you drop it, it will bounce back. But the other four balls – family, health, friends and spirit – are made of glass. If you drop one of these, they will be irrevocably scuffed, marked, nicked, damaged or evenshattered. They will never be the same. You must understand that and strive for Balance in your life.
How?
Don’t undermine your worth by comparing yourself with others. It is because we are different that each of us is special.
Don’t set your goals by what other people deem important. Only you know what is best for you.
Don’t take for granted the things closest to your heart. Cling to them as you would your life, for without them, life is meaningless.
Don’t let your life slip through your fingers by living in the past or for the future. By living your life one day at a time, you live all the days of your life.
Don’t give up when you still have something to give. Nothing is really over until the moment you stop trying.
Don’t be afraid to admit that you are less than perfect. It is this fragile thread that binds us to each together.
Don’t be afraid to encounter risks. It is by taking chances that we learn how to be brave.
Don’t shut love out of your life by saying it’s impossible to find time. The quickest way to receive love is to give; the fastest way to lose love is to hold it too tightly; and the best way to keep love is to give it wings!
Don’t run through life so fast that you forget not only where you’ve been, but also where you are going.
Don’t forget, a person’s greatest emotional need is to feel appreciated.
Don’t be afraid to learn. Knowledge is weightless, a treasure you can always carry easily.
Don’t use time or words carelessly. Neither can be retrieved. Life is not a race, but a journey to be savored each step of the way.