"I got rich when I Understood this"- Jeff Bezos

I was working at a financial firm in New York City, surrounded by incredibly smart people, with a boss I greatly admired. One day, I approached him with an idea I had: starting a company that would sell books on the internet. He listened thoughtfully as I explained my vision, then he took me on a long walk in Central Park. After carefully considering my idea, he said, "That sounds like a really good idea, but it would be an even better idea for someone who didn’t already have a good job."

At that moment, he made me realize something that would stay with me: you can have a job, a career, or a calling. And if you can figure out how to make your work a calling, then you've truly hit the jackpot. It's not just about working for the paycheck—it's about finding purpose in what you do. That's the real treasure.

This concept of purpose stayed with me as I moved forward in my journey, one that included meeting Jeff Bezos 25 years ago. He told me, "Dave, I want you to invest in my company. I’m going to start a bookstore in my garage, put it online, and ship books out of there. Someday, I’ll be the richest man in the world. I’ll do over $100 billion."

At that time, the idea of a $100 billion company was almost incomprehensible. Countries didn’t even have that much debt back then! I laughed at Bezos’s bold vision—how could a young guy with a garage and the internet possibly revolutionize the world? I dismissed it as a far-fetched dream. But Bezos, on the other hand, was not laughing. He was already applauding himself for being on the right path at the perfect time. He was moving forward with confidence, and that confidence is what ultimately made him the success he is today.

Looking back, my biggest lesson came from taking a step toward what I was truly passionate about, even when it wasn’t the safest or most secure option. When I was faced with the choice of following a more conventional path or pursuing something that scared me, I had to decide if I would regret trying and failing, or if I would regret never having tried at all. I chose the latter—and I’m proud of that decision.

As a young boy, I was a garage inventor. I would create oddball inventions—like an automatic gate closer made out of cement tires, a solar cooker that barely worked, and elaborate traps to catch my siblings. I always had an inventive spirit. And throughout my life, I’ve tried to live by a military phrase I love: "Slow is smooth, and smooth is fast." In every venture, I’ve learned that steady progress wins in the long run.

Adversity and success both come down to choices. You can be born with certain gifts—perhaps you're naturally good at math, or maybe you're tall and athletic. But you can’t take credit for your gifts; they were given to you. What you can take pride in are the choices you make. The hard work, the perseverance, the decision to do what’s tough—those are the things that define you. Those are the choices that shape your story.

We all have gifts, but the key is to recognize that our choices, not our gifts, are what truly define us. You might be great at something, but it’s your actions that matter. Life is full of choices, and the most important ones you’ll make are between a life of ease and comfort, or a life of service and adventure. When you’re 80, which one will you be more proud of?

Right now, there has never been a better time to be alive. The opportunities available to us are immense, and the world offers an incredible amount of inspiration for those who seek it. The question is, how will you use your gifts? Will you take the safe path or follow your passion? Will you let fear hold you back, or will you take risks and embrace adventure?

One of the hardest things you’ll face is criticism. Will you wilt under it, or will you stand by your convictions? Will you admit when you're wrong, or will you bluff it out? Will you choose kindness, or will you be clever at the expense of others? These are the choices that shape your character, and they are the choices that matter most.

Every time you provide tools or services that empower others to be creative, you’re on the right path. Helping others unlock their potential is one of the most meaningful things you can do with your life.

If you’re lucky enough to have a career—something that excites and challenges you—cherish it. A lot of people are stuck in jobs that don’t inspire them. You’ll never truly excel at something you don’t love. Greatness comes from passion.

As I reflect on the world today, I think of the great minds and curious souls of history—people like Jules Verne, Mark Twain, Galileo, and Newton. They would have given anything to live in a time like this, where the potential for innovation is boundless. So, as you sit here today, with all your gifts, ask yourself: Will you take pride in your gifts, or will you take pride in the choices you make with them?

The power to shape your life, and perhaps the world, is in your hands. Choose wisely. Choose purposefully. Choose a life worth living.