This is the second parent graduation speech I wrote and posted here on my website.

Written for a specific dad of a school graduate. That is, everything is grown-up - the father speaks)))

He liked it - I managed to guess the thoughts and clothe them in the right words.

Whether the graduates liked it - I don’t know, I didn’t tell, I lost contact. But I myself like it, because these are my thoughts too. Did you like it - tell us about it, please, in the comments.

If you don’t find a dad to speak with, you can easily convert the text to your mom.

Now directly

Parent speech at graduation.

I was told that mothers almost always give parting words at graduation. If so, then today is an exception - an exclusive especially for you, dad speaks.

Therefore, I will speak like a man - directly, honestly, openly.

Remember how you were 2 years ago? Class A and class B - and between them is either a competition, or a battle, or enmity.

Look at yourself today - you are active, athletic, and most importantly - friendly. And that's why it's great! You have learned to be a team, you have learned to support each other, respect, trust and understand. Remember this, because there will be no such team in your life. Others will, but this one won't.

All parents at all times want their children to live better than parents. To be more successful, successful and happier. And it always seems to us that we know how it will be better for you - where to study, whom to work with, whom to love. Sometimes it is - we know, and we are right - for the simple reason that life has forced us to become wiser.

But now I will say a seditious thing, for which many of the parents will want to shower me with slippers. Fortunately, they don't wear slippers to prom, so I'll say - DO NOT listen to us, do it your way. More precisely, not like that - listen, but do as your soul and heart tell you. Well, if your decision coincides with our advice. But if not, mothers will cry and agree, because we understand that this is your life, and you have the right to your decisions and your mistakes.

Be sure to learn a lesson from mistakes only - otherwise you will step on the same rake again, and this is already stupid. And you will fill a bump in the same place, and you will lose self-respect.

For young people, the expression “you need to try everything in life” sometimes pops up to the top of fashion. So, my dear, try it! Try to be the best at what you do, try to set ambitious goals and achieve them, try to improve the world and yourself. Or at least just try not to eat at night)) But it’s better not to try, but act right away!

And if you have already read something similar somewhere on VKontakte, then I’ll tell you this - your parents also sometimes read something there))) But this doesn’t make a smart idea dumber, so re-read, write down, memorize ... and implement in life.

And if you want to criticize someone, always start with yourself. And firmly decide for yourself once and for all that you personally are responsible for your life - only you and no one else. No parents, no teachers, no circumstances - just you. When we take responsibility for ourselves, we become a person. As soon as we start blaming someone else for our failures, we become squishy.

You are individuals, always remember this. You passed the 11-year-long exam with dignity, and today we can say - you are all great! True, both parents and teachers passed this lengthy exam together with you. Now we can already reveal this open secret to you - parents were also sometimes afraid to go to school. Who knows what they'll say about you parent meeting, will you have to blush or be proud? Or donate money for repairs?

Of course, these are all jokes close to the truth. It's just that we're trying to make jokes to hold back the tears, otherwise everyone will start crying, and we'll make another flood here.

But without any jokes, in all seriousness, we say thank you to your class teacher and all the teachers who managed to endure both you and us - and it is not known yet with whom it was more difficult.

You are so smart, independent, active.

As parents, we were different.

And a deep bow to the teachers for having taught you, and they endured us. And even if they pretend that they are finally happy to take a break from all of us, then in a week they will be bored and sad. So, guys, do not forget the school and your teachers - no matter how many students they have, your attention will never be superfluous. Because attention, like love, does not happen much. Try it and see for yourself.

School is over, now you will scatter in all directions. But wherever you go to study or work, in fact, this is not the main thing in life. Important, but not the most important. And the main thing is that you find yourself, do what you like in life - and it doesn’t matter what others think about it.

Chat with interesting people, travel - at least within the region, broaden your horizons, read smart books, learn new things, develop yourself, do something good every day.

Only in this way can you be happy and make someone else happy. And oh, how many!

Be free people, just do not confuse freedom with anarchy, and decent behavior with pride. Do not be ashamed to approach classmates and teachers and ask for forgiveness - today is the best chance to make peace and forgive each other everything.

Leave beautifully, leaving only a good memory of yourself. Because it is not bad that is remembered, the last is remembered. Therefore, let your last day at school be bright, sincere, both cheerful and sad at the same time. Tears are not scary, spiritual callousness is much worse. Be afraid of this and don't let it happen.

Treasure your reputation and be grateful to everyone who has helped you in life.

In a word - remain reliable friends and decent people.

And we will quietly be proud of you!

Your parents.

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Here is my parent's graduation speech. Core values ​​in life normal person always remain the same, only at times slightly changing priorities.

With the wish that all our speeches

children were heard, and not just listened to,

Your Evelina Shesternenko.

Dear Parents!

In the comments, dad asked to include in the speech of the parent the fact that he also graduated from this school at one time. I am fulfilling the request, because I know similar situations with the continuity of generations in one school. Write in the comments if it was useful to someone else. And in any case - write, it's important to me, and it's useful for my site. So,

Supplement to the speech of the parent at graduation.

After the words about the low bow to the teachers for having endured us (parents), say something like the following:

“And not only these 11 years. For example, I myself graduated from this school 26 years ago. And I remember many teachers. I hope they remember me too... Although it would be better if they forgot about some of my school “achievements”.

Judging by the fact that my daughter, when she came home from school, didn’t say anything terrible about me, and didn’t even slyly squint in my direction, I think that’s true - they forgot. Or they delicately pretended not to remember, and for this special thanks to the teachers - from me and from all the other parents who also studied at this school.

But today, fortunately, it's still not about us, but about you, our naughty and beloved children. Therefore, know that if the teachers pretend that they are finally happy to take a break from all of us ... "

Give a farewell speech after graduation high school- complex, but interesting task which brings pleasure not only to the listeners, but also to the speaker himself. The purpose of such a performance is to say words of gratitude to their teachers, once again remind everyone about the end of school and cheer up. In addition to words of farewell to teachers, your speech should include inspiring parting words. To fit all this into one small speech is enough difficult task for the speaker. However, you will make a great speech if you plan and prepare ahead of time.

Steps

Part 1

Plan your speech

Read others graduation speeches. One of better ways prepare for what you need to do - find people who have already done it. Ask your classmates to read their graduation speeches to you, listen to how these speeches sound, what jokes they use. There is no need to copy these speeches, just find something interesting in each speech, some ideas and themes that you can use for your speech.

Find a topic for your speech. Your speech should be built around something that you are trying to convey to your classmates and teachers. Once you find a topic, you can build your speech around it. main idea. The topic makes it easy to understand which phrases and sentences to include in your speech.

Make a sketch. Before you sit down and start writing touching speech, sketch. Find a big topic, write down everything you want to include in the speech. Mention a few jokes in your speech or funny stories. Such a plan will help you navigate when writing a speech and not forget any of the points. In addition, this way you can estimate how long your speech will turn out. It is possible that some aspects will have to be reduced.

Talk to other students. This ceremony is arranged not only for you, but for all other graduates, so everyone's opinion about this event will be different. Talk to other students, not just your friends, but those with whom you don't interact much. Find out what it was like for them school time what memories they have.

Be mindful of your audience. This speech is not only for you, it is also for your classmates and teachers. Therefore, it would be a good idea to thank your teachers and parents for giving you an education. Remember that the main focus should be on you and your classmates. First of all, your speech should be dedicated to graduates.

Try not to drag out your speech. If your presentation is part of a solemn ceremony, most likely, the guests are not in the mood to listen for half an hour about nature, friendship and the universe. Try to speak clearly and to the point. Also, if you are shy in public speaking, short speech you will feel more confident.

Leave the most important for last. Most likely, your viewers will not listen to every word. Therefore, the most important idea, for which you prepared this speech, should be said at the end of the speech, even if it is just a paraphrase of the thought that you already said at the beginning of the speech. The last sentence of your speech that the audience hears is likely to be the one they remember the most.

Part 2

Include in speech important points

1. Express gratitude to people. Even if you were writing a graduation speech, take a few minutes to thank the people who helped you get an education. You can make a list of the names of those who need to be thanked. Include the names of your parents, teachers, friends. Do not drag out your speech, briefly thank your family and go back to the main part of the speech.

   • One way to end the words of thanks is to remind the rest of the graduates to also thank their families and teachers.

2. Add some humor and jokes. A few funny stories or jokes are needed to cheer up and relieve tension. In addition, humor is needed to dilute your speech so as not to strain the audience after a serious topic. Of course, you don't have to act like a clown to make your listeners smile. Just relax and be confident, even if the audience doesn't laugh at your joke, act like nothing happened and keep talking.

   Think about the past. Pay tribute to your shared past with your classmates and different things that you did together at school. Graduation is the time to remember everything that connects you with the school, up to the day of graduation.

   • You need to mention your accomplishments in your speech. Think about sports competitions, awards, charity events - everything where you or your classmates hosted Active participation. How more events that are associated with the school, you will be able to remember the better. It is important to celebrate the achievements of your entire class, not just your own.

3. Talk about what's next. Graduation is a time to look into the future. Talk about what you can expect after graduation. You don't know for sure what will happen to you in the future, so this part of the speech can be vague and dreamy. Think positively and think that there are many good things ahead of you.

   • Perhaps after graduation you will go to college. It is unlikely that all your classmates will do this, so be sure to mention others possible ways that the rest can go to get an education and a job. If you don't know what your classmates plan to do after graduation, talk to them about it.

4. Tell some story. This is a good way to expand on the theme of the speech and connect your story with real events that happened within the walls of your school. Think about what happened to you at school, what lessons you learned for yourself, how they relate to your topic. If this topic concerns not only you, but also your friends and other acquaintances, it will be even more interesting. This is a good way to open up a topic and tell your classmates about something interesting that happened at school.

   Avoid templates. Of course, the theme of the speech is beautiful thing, but try not to use clichés like " real world”, “the future belongs to us” or “today is not the end of our education, but only the beginning.” Such phrases and sentences sound beautiful, but are used so often that they already seem meaningless to us. If the audience hears a few of these phrases, they may lose interest in your speech, and you definitely do not want this.

   Part 3

   Present your speech

   1. Practice speaking. Before graduation, you should read your speech aloud several times. You can practice in front of a mirror or in front of friends. In this way, you will understand how long your speech takes (for example, it may be too long), as well as evaluate how it sounds when you speak it out loud.

   2. Take a copy of your speech with you. Even if you do a great job rehearsing in front of a mirror or friends, prom will make it harder for you to focus. Therefore, a copy of the speech as a reminder will not bother you.

   Warnings

   • Try not to get distracted while performing. This means that you need to turn off your phone, take noisy key chains and coins out of your pocket, and do not chew gum during the performance. It will be difficult for people to understand you if they do not listen to you carefully.
   • Many schools will check your speech first to make sure it is relevant and not offensive. contentious issues. Therefore, rehearsing one speech and delivering another is not a good idea.
   • Avoid plagiarism. It should be your speech, not someone else's speech. Your speech must be original and unique. Keep in mind that there are many various speeches, and it might be tempting to just copy one for yourself, but remember that people can easily expose your deception.

1. So the time has come to say goodbye to the native school walls. Behind were the ringing trill of the bell, homework, control and final exams. But this is not the only thing we will remember in the coming years. Dear and beloved teachers will forever remain in our memory. We know there's a lot more to come interesting sciences and professional teachers but it was you who became an integral part of our soul. Largely thanks to you, we have become who we are - people who have something to be proud of and who look to the future with confidence. We are sure that we will endure the great gratitude and love that we feel for you throughout our lives and will always remember you with respect and warmth.

2. Today prom- a great occasion for happy smiles and eyes sparkling with joy. However, there is an echo of touching sadness and quiet sadness in this joy, because the time has come to say goodbye to the school. But we, the graduates, are saddened most of all by the fact that we will have to part with our dear teachers. We want to say from the bottom of our hearts that you have forever become a part of our world, have taken a safe and valuable place in our memories and hearts, so it is so hard to say goodbye to you. Thank you very much not only for those invaluable knowledge that you put into our heads, but also for that sincerity and warmth, which, as if bright sun, nurtured in us sprouts of respect and gratitude to you.

3. Today is a truly festive day filled with joyful excitement, sincere wishes and slight sadness. The graduation party with its touching warmth, joyful smiles and festive fun reminds us that the time has come to say goodbye to the school, and, therefore, to our dear teachers. Over the past school years you became for us not just good mentors, but also a part of our life, and, most importantly, took one of important places in our heart. Today, to the clink of glasses and the pleasant melody of dance, we recall the past years and realize that you will forever remain in our memory as a warm and reverent memory of the school, which fills the soul with aching joy every time we meet you. Thank you for your great work for your incredible kindness and great patience.

4. Our dear teachers! So one of the most touching and unforgettable holidays in our lives has come - graduation party. Today we say goodbye to those who have fallen in love and become so dear school classrooms, comfortable desks and wide corridors. They will always sound our bursting laughter and quiet noise from the discussion of homework. However, it is even sadder for us to part with you - our beloved teachers. You helped us get through this difficult school path, opened up incredible expanses of knowledge and sciences for us, taught us to strive for our goals and work on our mistakes. Therefore, leaving the school walls, we leave a piece of our soul here, which will belong to you and remind you of what an incredible feat you accomplish every day, changing the lives of your students for the better, and filling them with new knowledge. Thank you!

5. On this festive day, we, the graduates, leave the friendly school walls behind us and set off on an independent flight. However, no matter how many people we meet on this path, we will always remember those who helped us gain wings - our dear teachers. Eleven years ago, you welcomed fledglings who first crossed the threshold of the classroom, and confidently led them through the thorny school way. You were able to convey to us the sciences and knowledge that became the basis of our future life taught to believe in yourself and always hope for the best. Thank you very much for everything and may those tears of sadness from parting with you that shine before our eyes today become tears of joy at the next meeting.

6. So the trill rang last call, left behind the excitement about the final exams and we can say with confidence that we successfully passed one of the most important stages of our life - school. A huge part of this success undoubtedly belongs to our dear teachers. It was the professionalism with which you approached our training that allowed us to overcome all school tests, and, therefore, to make huge contribution into our future. But not only the knowledge gained will remain forever in our memory and hearts, your trust and kindness have long taken a safe place in our souls. We hope that for many more years you will continue this important and responsible work, and your students will always be proud that you were their mentors.

7. How quickly the carefree and happy school years flew by. Today we are yesterday's first-graders, we are preparing to say goodbye to our beloved teachers and the school walls that have become so dear. Ahead of us is an adult life filled with new knowledge and acquaintances, but now we know for sure that no one can replace you - our dear teachers. Your kind hearts, great support and high professionalism will forever remain in our memory. We are immensely grateful to you for the invaluable work that helps your students to rise higher and higher in the levels of knowledge and constantly strive to achieve their goals.

8. So the long-awaited graduation party has come. left behind school lessons, first homework and exams. However, already now this beloved school life becomes part of our history. Undoubtedly the most important people, without the knowledge and support of which we would not be able to overcome all school tests are our dear teachers. Your love for your chosen profession, touching attention and care have become for us not only a reliable stronghold in the raging sea school knowledge but also a real example of diligence, honesty and kindness. Thank you for being you, for the contribution you make to the lives of your students and for our wonderful memories of the school.

9. Today we, the graduates, are like in a fairy tale, because such an unforgettable and beautiful evening. It seems that it will last for a very long time, and we will not have to say goodbye to the school and our dear teachers. However, time flows without stopping, and we will be adults to meet the dawn, independent people ready for life outside the school walls. Today we want to say thanks a lot to our teachers, who, like good wizards, at the wave of a pointer and a stroke of a pen, created for us a real journey into the world of knowledge and discoveries from everyday school life. You turned us from outside observers into active participants in this magical process and were able to turn us into inquisitive and enthusiastic students. We will never forget this exciting journey. school world and we will forever keep a piece of him in our souls.

10. Today we celebrate an unforgettable celebration - graduation party. There are happy and smiling faces around, but when the understanding comes that you have to leave the hospitable school classes and go on a free voyage to another educational institution, on new sciences and disciplines, it becomes a little exciting and sad. We still cannot fully realize that other teachers will lead us further along the road of knowledge, and new students will take the place at the school desks. I really do not want to part with you, our dear teachers, because you have already become a part of us, and the knowledge that we received thanks to you changed our lives forever. We want you to know that we will miss you to tears, to sadness, and rejoice in the realization that new meetings are just around the corner and there are always opportunities to come to home school to the alumni meeting!

Student years are no less important than school years. During this period, a teenager grows up, finds himself, adapts to society. But next to him are not only family and friends. Big role are played by teachers who seek to transfer their experience and knowledge.

Relations with them develop in different ways, but when the years of study are left behind, you still want to tell them how much their work means. Thank you teachers - obligatory part activities around the end of the course. Below you can find various and beautiful congratulations!

Reason for pride

Dear teachers! Everyone here today is overwhelmed with pride. Parents from the fact that their children received higher education, graduates from the fact that they became the perpetrators of such an event. But who, if not teachers, is excited and proud today! By your own efforts, you nurtured the seeds of knowledge in students, gave them your strength and patience. Today we want to thank our teachers for their help in reaching ever new heights, for believing in our generation! We would like to wish year after year to meet inquisitive minds, not to stop opening our hearts to future students!

Patience and wisdom

Today we would like to say thanks to the teachers from the students. Our relationship developed differently.

Often, teachers had to be tough to motivate students, but having achieved the goal, we understand how much patience and wisdom you need. Each of us has his own character, and only a mentor is able to choose an approach to it. Leaving the walls of the university, we have in our luggage not only knowledge, but also experience in communicating with different people. Thank you for participating in the lives of students and contributing to their future.

Show the right path

No wonder they say that student time is a separate, small life. A lot of changes fall on a freshman literally from the first days of training. Not lessons, but couples, not tests, but tests and exams, not teachers, but teachers. It is teachers who gradually bring order to this chaos, point students in the right direction. In a youthful desire to know all the charms of youth, they stubbornly win a place for knowledge! Teachers should be able to suppress the inner rebellion of their ward, show him what he can achieve. Now we hold diplomas in our hands and say “thank you” to our mentors, who, despite our shortcomings, have always paid attention to our merits!

A look into the future

Today we are all present at the presentation of diplomas. Words of gratitude to teachers are the least that students can answer for your efforts! Year after year, teachers meet new wards and see off those who leave the university.

Many years of experience allows them to see the potential in every student from the first days, and subtle psychological approach helps develop it. A teacher is a person with a mind that is somewhat ahead of its time. Who, if not him, has an interest in the new, is able to see what others will appreciate only over the years. Now we hold diplomas in our hands, which proves to others and to ourselves that hard work always brings the desired result. Thank you that in your person students can always find true allies in this difficult task!

Loyal allies

In the life of a student, the moment of graduation is milestone. He goes to him throughout the entire period of study. On his way there are many difficulties and temptations that can interfere with the achievement of the goal. But, according to the laws of the genre, a true ally always helps the hero in his difficult task. In our case, they were teachers. Therefore, we would like to express our gratitude to the teachers. Words are not so easy to find, but we still try to do it. Thank you for your perseverance and perseverance. Often the teacher throws a challenge to the student and only he knows that his ward is able to answer it. You have shown us the horizons to strive for. Thank you for your talent and wisdom!

parent word

The main heroes of the occasion today are our children. We know how difficult it is to guide young minds and hearts.

Therefore, we say words of gratitude to the teachers from the parents for taking on this responsibility. Quality education largely determines the worldview of a person. It gives him sobriety of mind, the ability to make decisions independently. We thank the teachers for the fact that our children were able to achieve their goals! We wish you success in further work, patience and worthy students!

common goal

Today we would like to say thank you to the teachers of the college. Has been done big job. Despite the fact that on educational process we looked from different positions, the efforts of both sides were directed towards a common goal. Teachers invested a lot of effort, time and patience to guide the younger generation to the right way. In adulthood we set off with strong knowledge and faith in achieving high results! Thank you for that!

sensitive guidance

The life of a student is so diverse and filled with vivid emotions that many of us sometimes forget about studying.

Today we want to say thanks to the teachers for the fact that under their strict guidance, the first-year students were still able to turn into graduates! It was not easy, but you did not stop enlightening the minds of the younger generation, regardless of the weather, mood and fatigue. Thank you for patience and understanding. We wish you to enjoy your work and reach new heights!

A noble cause

You did not stop developing our talents, but poetic still was not among them. Therefore, today we say words of gratitude to teachers from students in prose. It is difficult to collect all thoughts and emotions, because we have been going to this day for more than one year. Let them develop in different ways, because we did not sleep at night to write a term paper, while you were awake 24 hours a day to read and evaluate them. But anyway, the students became graduates! Thanks to all the teachers for sharing both joys and sorrows with us along the way! We wish you success in your noble cause!

Gratitude for work

Children are the most valuable thing in the life of parents.

For them, they always try to choose the best. Today we are proud and glad that a few years ago this university became for our children Starting point on the way to higher education. We thank the teaching staff for their work! Your efforts allowed students to choose a field of activity and become qualified specialists! And even if today they say goodbye to the university, the memory of the time spent within its walls will remain with them forever.

Difficult relationship

Every self-respecting student is dissatisfied with the pressure and burden that he receives from the teacher. This is the tradition of their relationship, the truth of which is revealed only during the presentation of diplomas. The fact is that students secretly admire their mentors, who not only achieved high professional results, but also continue to improve themselves. You are not alien to humor and enthusiasm, which often make us blush. Thanks for the experience and knowledge. We will always be grateful to you!

Valuable Lessons

The university presents students not only theoretical knowledge, but also gives valuable life lessons. How to proceed in difficult situations, to become a leader, to cope with heavy loads - we learned all this within the walls of the university. Next in line life stage which graduates will start tomorrow. Now we are really adults and we are immensely grateful to the teachers that they put a piece of themselves into each student. We wish you health and patience!

Overall Success

Today we hear our words of gratitude to the teachers! Thank you for helping inexperienced first-year students reach their senior year. Together with the students, teachers achieved their goals. You are present in every one of our successes. We wish you more professional victories and patience!

The above examples of words of gratitude to teachers in prose will help students and parents prepare a worthy performance at such an important event.

In many foreign universities there is a tradition to invite famous people to the presentation of diplomas, who should admonish and inspire graduates. And very often famous people tell graduates about their failures - perhaps because it is failures that yesterday's students fear most of all. Joanne Rowling, Steve Jobs and Steven Spielberg explain why there is no need to be afraid.

JK Rowling, writer

This year, 51-year-old JK Rowling topped the top 25 most influential authors in Hollywood according to The Hollywood Reporter magazine. Twenty years ago, before Bloomsbury published the first Harry Potter book in 1997, she was an obscure single mother living on social benefit and irregular earnings.

“Seven years after my graduation, by any measure, I suffered the most terrible failure. My marriage broke up, I was left alone with a child, without work and money. I'm not going to convince you that failure is great. That period of my life was the most black stripe, and I never could have imagined that it would turn out to be a fairy tale with a happy ending, as they now write in the newspapers. But failure set me free - mine main fear already realized, while I was alive, I had a beloved daughter, an old typewriter and many ideas. If I had been successful in something else, I might never have worked up the courage to do what I truly love.

It's impossible to avoid failure unless you live so carefully that it's hard to call life at all. True, in this case you fail by definition.”

Steven Spielberg, film director

One of the most successful directors in history received a diploma from higher education only in 2002, when he was already 55 years old. In his youth, he twice tried to enter the California film school, but he was not accepted, calling him "talentless". Then he entered technical college, who soon quit to take a "dream job" at Universal Studios. Five years later, the thriller "Jaws" was released, which made Spielberg famous.

“I left college because I knew exactly what I wanted, and so did some of you. Maybe you're sitting right now trying to figure out how to tell your parents that you really want to be a doctor, not a comedy writer. I told my parents that if the cinema didn't work out, I would go back to university. But everything turned out great.

For the first 25 years of our lives, we are taught to listen to the voices of others. Parents and teachers fill our heads with wisdom and information, and then bosses take their places to tell us how the world really works. And even when we think: “I look at the world in a completely different way,” it’s still easier to just agree and nod.

The films I made up until the 1980s were mostly far from reality. I was like in a bubble because I lacked education, my worldview was limited to what I could think of in my head, and not to life experience. And then I shot Purple Field Flowers. This story was filled with deep pain and deep truth, such as when Step Avery says, "Everything in the world wants to be loved." While making this film, I realized that cinema can be a mission. I hope that each of you will experience this feeling.”

Steve Jobs, entrepreneur

In 1976, 20-year-old Steve Jobs founded Apple in his parents' garage with Steve Wozniak. In 10 years, the company has grown into a $2 billion company with more than 6,000 employees. Among them was marketer John Scully, who led Apple at the invitation of Jobs. Over time, their views on the future diverged, the board of directors supported Scully, and Steve Jobs had to leave Apple.

“At 30, I was furiously fired from the company I founded. All that I dedicated my conscious life disappeared, I felt empty. I didn't realize then that getting fired from Apple was the best thing that could have happened to me. The heavy burden of success was replaced by ease - I again became a beginner. With this feeling began one of the most creative periods in my life. Over the next five years, I founded NeXT and Pixar and fell in love with beautiful woman who became my wife. I'm sure none of this would have happened if I hadn't been fired from Apple. The medicine tasted terrible, but the patient seemed to need it.

I am convinced that I did not give up and continued to move forward only because I loved my job. If you haven't found what you love yet, keep looking."

Jim Carrey, actor

Jim Carrey first appeared on stage with a comedy number at the age of 15 - his debut was a failure. The film Once Bitten (1985), in which the 23-year-old Kerry, after many unsuccessful castings, received his first leading role in the cinema, was also coolly received by the public. And only at the age of 31, fame came to him after the low-budget film Ace Ventura: Pet Detective, the script for which, like the image of Ventura, Jim came up with himself. For the film, Carrey was nominated for the "Golden Raspberry", an award for the worst acting work, but among the audience the film had big success, and Ace Ventura became one of the most famous comedy characters. Carrey's next films - "The Mask", "Dumb and Dumber", "The Truman Show" - became classics of cinema.

“So many people choose the path of fear, calling it 'practicality'. My father wanted to be a comedian and he had every chance. But he did not believe that this was possible, and preferred to have a quiet "warm" place, becoming an accountant. When I was 12 years old, he was fired, and our family had a hard time. From his example, I realized that it is possible to fail in unloved business- so why not try your luck at what you really want. It may seem impossible or ridiculous, and we don't even try to ask the Universe for it. I tell you, I'm living proof that you can ask for anything you want."

Oprah Winfrey, TV presenter

Oprah Winfrey was educated because of her talent: winning the eloquence competition gave her the opportunity to enter the university. In interviews, she repeatedly talked about her dysfunctional childhood and running away from home. Yet she became the first black female reporter in her city, and then the first black female billionaire in history. The Oprah Winfrey Show is rightfully called one of the greatest TV shows of all time.

“I have done over 35,000 interviews in my career. Every time the camera turned off, the guest of the program turned to me and asked: “Did everything go well?”. I heard it from President Bush and from President Obama. I heard it from heroes and housewives.

It doesn't matter how high you reach. At some point, you will definitely stumble, because the bar is constantly being raised. If you constantly strive higher and higher, then, as the myth of Icarus predicts, at some point you will begin to fall down. And when that happens, I want you to know and remember that failure doesn't exist. Failure is the way life tries to convince you to change direction.

I have often had to say these words to myself. When you fall to the very bottom, it is normal to feel bad for a while. Give yourself this time to mourn what you think you have lost. And then realize that you actually hold the key, because mistakes teach you and force you into more be who you are."

Whoopi Goldberg, actress

Caryn Elaine Johnson, ugly girl from a poor family, had to drop out of school due to dyslexia: she had problems with writing and reading. But dyslexia did not interfere with Helen Rubenstein's children's theater, and the unusual appearance and strange behavior, which made it difficult for Karin to communicate with peers, came just in place. In addition, the theater was free. It was there that Karin received her first lessons. acting skills, and later took the pseudonym Whoopi Goldberg and became a great actress who was the laureate of the most prestigious American and was awarded a personal star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

“I was lucky - I had a really unusual mother. She told me: “It's okay that you are strange. But are you ready for the fact that not everyone will be ready to accept you, not everyone will see and feel the same as you? Someone won't like you. Can you be yourself?“.

When I was little, I dreamed of the world of cinema, television, fashion. I couldn't read because I was dyslexic and didn't start studying until I was 15, but I knew what I wanted. You have to be able to stand up for what you believe in. Don't just be afraid to be wrong or wrong. If you feel in your heart that you are moving in the wrong direction, you can stop at any moment and say: “You know what? I changed my mind"".

Ellen DeGeneres, comedian and TV presenter

Ellen DeGeneres' speech, which she gave at Tulane University in New Orleans in 2009, is not exactly ordinary. At the graduation ceremony official speech were spoken by George Bush and Bill Clinton, and Ellen decided to speak spontaneously to the students. New Orleans was the hometown of the actress, and the graduation course consisted of students who started their studies just two days before the terrible hurricane Katrina, which in 2005 caused terrible destruction to the city.

“When I finished school, I was completely lost. I didn't have any ambitions and didn't know what I wanted. I did everything: peeled oysters, worked as a bartender, as a waitress, painted houses, sold vacuum cleaners. All I wanted was to just settle into some kind of job so I could earn enough money to pay the rent. I lived in an apartment in the basement, where I had neither heat nor air, only a mattress on the floor and fleas. I thought I knew who I was, but I had no idea.

One day I sat down and started writing, I had an imaginary conversation with God. I looked at him and said to myself: “Why have I never tried stand-up? I'm going to do it on the Tonight Show with Johnny Carson." He was king at the time and I was going to be the first woman in the history of the show to be on the air with him. And so it happened.

Follow your dreams, stay true to yourself. Never follow someone unless you are lost in the woods. And even if you are lost, but you see the path, you must follow it by all means. Don't take other people's advice. And my only advice is this: be true to yourself, and everything will be fine.