Advice to a Fourth Grader

Nancy Gibbs of TIME Magazine wrote a wonderful essay this issue — an open letter of sorts to her daughter who is “graduating” from fourth grade.  The essay caught my eye because my daughter, Brenna, also “graduated” from fourth grade this year complete with ceremony and a xeroxed diploma .  And, yes, I do realize that a fourth grade graduation ceremony is as ridiculous as her pre-school graduation and her kindergarten graduation, but on a positive note prepares us for her upcoming sixth, eighth and twelfth grade graduations.

Gibbs points out that surprises in life often come disguised as disappointments and these very same surprises are often really opportunities.  I think this is as true for adults as it is for children; for those of us in business as well as those on the playground.  The key is to take risks, welcome surprises and often re-evaluate what is a success and what is a failure.

The essay is beautifully written reminder of what we already knew — that goals are organic and the bumps we experience along the way only make reaching the finish line that much sweeter.