My niece graduated from college this month and is fortunate to have landed a job in her field of study—journalism. I am so proud of her—chest out, big grin!

I hesitated about using the word fortunate because she worked really hard. She studied long hours; took advantage of internships; formed alliances and friendships; sought and enacted the advice of counselors, professors, TAs; and the list goes on. As I was typing this list, thinking about the work she had put in to reach this monumental goal, another list started scrolling through my mind. I’ll call it the more-to-it list because there’s more to reaching a goal, any goal than taking action steps. Read on to see what I’m talking about…

• Fight back – when you’re sucker punched (and you will be), it’s natural to cry for a short while, but then come out swinging.
• Sleep through problems – when seemingly insurmountable problems arise (and they will), go to sleep. Let your subconscious work out the solution and when you wake, enact it.
• Different is normal – exploit that in you which others label as different. It’s that difference that leads to success.
• Minority rule – when you know what’s right for you, stick with that. Your life is not majority rule.
• Playtime – all work makes one a grouch. Strive for a balance between work and fun.

The great thing about these more-to-its is they are available to all of us. Not just college students in pursuit of knowledge. Not just college graduates, but all. So go for that goal, initiate that plan, while remembering to enact these more-to-its when needed. So please excuse me as I head off to enact the more-to-it of playtime.

Congratulations to all Graduates!