I was recently introduced to the acronym "R.O.C.K" as it applied to leaders and took the liberty to share a similar message this spring with seniors from New Smyrna Beach High School during the CAPS Scholarship Dinner. It's a message that applies to all of the graduates of the Class of 2011.
So what does R.O.C.K. mean?
Rock: To be really great; to impress; being dependable; to affect deeply; stun move or sway powerfully.
Rock certainly means music with strong beats.
But R.O.C.K in the context of an acronym is "Risk, Original, Courage and Knowledge."
Risk: "Life is inherently risky.There is only one big risk you should avoid at all costs, and that is the risk of doing nothing."
Get out of your comfort zone. Comfort zones are everything from a daily routine, to a repetitive work environment and habits or roles in your life. If you are willing to give up daily comforts and move towards the next challenge, you will greatly enhance the probability of success and achievement.
Author Denis Wheatley says, "You must break out of your current comfort zone and become comfortable with the unfamiliar and the unknown.
The challenge involved with risk taking is the whole point in doing so. It is from the challenge that you learn, develop, and improve, even if you fall short of achieving the goal.
Orson Swett Marden said, "Nothing else so destroys the power to stand alone as the habit of leaning upon others. If you lean, you will never be strong or original"
Whatever makes you different and unique is what will make you successful. Through risks and challenges, you learn and develop skills that will add to your originality.
Try new things. The important fact is that each new experience will shape who you are.
When it comes to courage, think about what Eleanor Roosevelt said: “We gain strength, and courage, and confidence by each experience in which we really stop to look fear in the face... we must do that which we think we cannot.”
Courage is the ability to control one's fear so as to face danger, pain and trouble willingly.
Set goals and focus on the best possible outcome, be cognizant of, but do not entertain negative results.
Remember, getting rich doesn't mean you are free and it is no substitute for knowledge.
Henry Ford once said, “If money is your hope for independence you will never have it. The only real security that a man will have in this world is a reserve of knowledge, experience, and ability.”
As you progress through life, adopt a commitment to lifelong learning. Hands on experience, read books, continue to educate yourself academically and most of all learn from your mistakes.
To quote Winston Churchill: "Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts".
Good luck to all the 2011 graduating seniors, you R.O.C.K! If I can be of further assistance, please send me an email at abarringer@cityofnsb.com