Achieving your Childhood Dreams

Randy Pausch's Last Lecture was very interesting and can teach people of all ages many lessons. The lecture is titled "Achieving your Childhood Dreams" but the lecture was about so much more than just achieving your dreams. At the very end of the lecture, Dr. Pausch explains , "It is not about achieving your dreams... It is about how to live your life. If you lead your life the right way, the karma will take care of itself and the dream will come to you." The lecture can really make an impact in someones life by giving them the hope that their dreams can come true.


Dr. Pausch started the lecture by telling us his childhood dreams and how he achieved his dreams. One of his dreams was being in zero gravity, but he didn't want to become an astronaut. He had the chance to experience zero gravity; but to do so had to resign as a teacher and get a press license. Another one of Dr. Pausch's dreams was to play in the NFL and even though he did not get to do so, he still learned a lot through playing football as a child. Dr. Pausch also dreamed to become Captain Kirk, win big stuffed animals, and author an article in the World Book encyclopedia. The dream that, I think, Dr. Pausch worked hardest to achieve is his dream to become a Disney Imagineer. He did whatever it took, after being denied a position, to show them how badly he wanted the job. He got to work on the Aladdin VR and afterwards was offered a job, to which he said "no" to.

Dr. Pausch then talked about how to help others achieve their dreams. As teachers, you have a big impact in encouraging students to achieve their goals, even if their goal is unrealistic. Dr. Pausch told a story about one of his students goals: to help create Star Wars movies. Dr. Pausch thought to himself... they probably won't make the other Star Wars movies... but he did not tell the student what he thought, but just encouraged him. The student mentioned did, however, achieve his dream and helped to create more Star Wars movies. Dr. Pausch then wanted to help other students through his class on building virtual worlds. The class teaches the college students how to come up with creative ideas while working in a group with three other people. The students were graded not on the project itself, but how the group worked together as a whole.

DR. PAUSCH'S LESSONS LEARNED

1)Role of Parents, Mentors, and Students
2)Decide if you are a Tigger or an Eeyore
3)Never lose child-like wonder
4)Help others
5)Loyalty is a two-way street
6)Get people to help you.

Dr. Pausch ended the lecture with a list of a few things to remember. First, remember that brick walls let us show our dedication. (whether to a childhood dream or a lifestyle) Second, don't bail; the best gold is at the bottom of barrels of crap. He went through a lot to get the job with Disney but thought it was completely worth the work. Third, get a feedback loop and listen to it! He showed his students a chart of how well they worked in a group compared to other students in the class. For all of the students it meant to set the bar higher and to make changes in their work ethic. Fourth, show gratitude. He kept going to Disneyland after being denied the job. Lastly, don't complain just work harder. Complaining will not get you anywhere in life but farther off than where you started... Hard work will help you to feel like you have accomplished so much more in life, even if in reality you did not accomplish that much.