Some people do things for fame.  Others do things for fortune.  Few do things for others, regardless of whether they bring fame or fortune.  I am one of those few that chooses to do things for others regardless of the attached fame or fortune.  Helping others solidifies my prescription for living and brings me the kind of joy that neither fame nor fortune can bring me. 

This could not have been a truer statement on this past Friday, March 15th, 2019.  It was at this time I had the opportunity to impact the lives of 4 classes of college students at Robert Morris University, both from a professional and human perspective.  Sharing my knowledge and experience of preparation, achievement and advancement professionally, along with the parallel challenge of managing my mental health at the same time allowed me to give a unique point of view that some may still consider a stigma today.  The importance of weaving the area of mental health into my speaking engagement’s started with the importance of how so many of us have had and may have in the future with mental health, along the journey of a professional career. 

As someone who has breached this topic personally, I felt strongly that I needed to give the students of Robert Morris University the fuel and willpower that they can overcome anything, anywhere and to never let anyone, whether it be a rejection from a job interview, a denial of life insurance, or trying to live up to society and social media’s sometimes superficial expectations.  Even with my mental health history I have received letters of encouragement from NCAA Division 1A Men’s Basketball coach Mike Krzyzewski from Duke University, NCAA Davison 1A Men’s Football coach Dabo Swinney from Clemson University, Lincoln Riley from The University of Oklahoma and Jim Harbaugh from The University of Michigan.  Additionally, I have been a keynote speaker at a commencement ceremony, had my book adopted by schools’ curriculums and have and will continue to produce a product offering to help others.

There is not just hope for any student, anywhere, there is the real possibility of any student, anywhere, finding themselves in the Hall of Fame, where everyone knows their name, because they decided to be the lightning, instead of the thunder by brushing their shoulders off like Jay-Z or shake, shake, shake, shaking it off like Taylor Swift. 

I left the campus of Robert Morris University feeling ecstatic, renewed and energized about spending my day at a place and in front of the people who will bring about change, not only for themselves, but for others now and into the future.  Fame and fortune may bring a lot of things, but I know for a fact that they don’t bring me my prescription for living, helping others does.

The author of this blog is Justin Alan Hayes, architect of The House of You and the leading Expert on career preparation, advancement and achievement, including how to maximize your collegiate career and inspiring others to make their dreams come true.

The House of You (https://www.thehouseofyou.com/shop/), has the most epic career preparation, achievement and advancement books available, titled “The House of You'“, which is being used inside and outside of the classroom by Professor’s, students and student athletes across the world, along with Professional instructional materials, cases, and resume consulting.