Press for 99 Motivators for College Success Book

99 MOTIVATORS FOR COLLEGE SUCCESS IN THE NEWS

The Huffington Post - Book excerpts reprinted
- 10 Tips for Picking a Career Path in College
- 10 Tips for Thriving in College Life
- 10 Classroom Tips for Your First College Semester

Teacher's Gazette - Book excerpts reprinted
- 10 Career Path Tips to Guide Your Students
- Light Bulb Moments for New Teachers

North Fulton: GSU professor's book helps transition to college

Patch: Book Gives Tips for College Success

Pipe Dream: BU grad writes book to help new college students

PERRY's FORMER STUDENTS PROMOTING 99 MOTIVATORS FOR COLLEGE SUCCESS

Mr. Binder is the Michael Jordan of teaching!  Harlem Duru
I will never forget coming back from surgery and the first thing he does is start the class on a welcome back chant for me.  Kevin Clodfelter
Perry Binder was not only a Professor, but a Mentor.  His classes were not about memorizing material, but taking it and applying to real-life scenarios.  Lizette Olaechea
Perry's class was more than just another class for me, it was a decision making catalyst, and had a huge impact on my future.  Kevin Crayon

MEDIA PRAISE FOR PERRY's FIRST BOOK, UNLOCKING YOUR RUBBER ROOM (2009)

The Dallas Morning News Business Book Review

Binder's 44 lessons "make so much sense"

The Signal Book Review

Hilarious ... motivational, and a funny pick-me-up

Office Arrow Book Review

Perry's heartfelt commencement address is perhaps one of the most moving pieces of writing I've read in some time.

BINDER'S RADIO & TELEVISION APPEARANCES

FOX-TV Atlanta - Employees who blog on and off company time
Court TV Radio - Duke Lacrosse Sexual Allegations
ESPN Classic - Discussed controversial sports figures, including O.J. Simpson, Pete Rose, and Tonya Harding
WGST Radio, Atlanta, GA - Wal-Mart Class action Certification
CBS Radio News (Nationwide) - 9/11 Compensation Fund deadline
AP Radio (Nationwide) - 9/11 Compensation Fund deadline
WRVA, Richmond, VA - 9-11 Litigation
CFRB, Toronto, Canada - 9-11 Litigation
WSYR, Syracuse, NY - 9/11 Compensation Fund issues
KXLY, Spokane, WA - 9/11 Compensation Fund issues
WSB-TV Action News, Atlanta, GA - McDonald's Contest Fraud case

BINDER QUOTED IN PRINT MEDIA

Employment Law
Papa Joe Chevalier Syndicated Radio Show  - New York Knicks/MSG Sexual Harassment case
Newsday  - New York Knicks/MSG Sexual Harassment case
Atlanta Business Chronicle - Let Employees Write Blogs (Viewpoint)
Spirit Magazine - Blog policy for employees
FOX-TV Atlanta - Employees who blog on and off company time
Associated Press - Legal experts see signs of trouble for Wal-Mart's Coughlin
Financial Times - Wal-Mart Class action Certification
Atlanta Journal Constitution - Wal-Mart Class action Certification
Associated Press (over 100 newspapers) - Wal-Mart Gender Discrimination
USA Today - Wal-Mart Gender Discrimination
Associated Press - Wal-Mart Gender Discrimination

Tort and Contract Litigation
Court TV Radio - Duke Lacrosse Sexual Allegations (Criminal/Civil Implications)
MSNBC/Minneapolis Star Tribune - N.Y. sues Guidant over its defibrillators
Atlanta Journal Constitution - Employer liable for employee's accident (driving while on cell phone)
Rocky Mountain News - Kobe Bryant Civil Case
MSNBC & Orange County Register - Kobe Bryant Civil Case
Philadelphia Inquirer/San Jose Mercury News - Kobe Bryant Civil Case
News Daily - Home Depot/Isuzu Lawsuit
Associated Press - 9/11 Compensation Fund Office Closes
Associated Press (over 20 newspapers) - 9/11 Compensation Fund
The New York Times - 9/11 Compensation Fund issues
The New York Times - 9/11 Litigation

E-Commerce Issues
Cox News Services - Ringtones becoming more personalized
Christian Science Monitor/CBS News/ABC News - YouTube and Copyright Laws
Spirit Magazine - Blog policy for employees
FOX-TV Atlanta - Employees who blog on and off company time
Times-Herald - Music downloading
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution - Music copyright lawsuit
Investor's Business Daily - Domain Name issues
The Freelance Star, Fredericksburg, VA - Domain Name issues
The Columbian, Vancouver, WA - Domain Name issues

Sports Issues
Papa Joe Chevalier Syndicated Radio Show  
- New York Knicks/MSG Sexual Harassment case
-  Roger Clemens case
Newsday  - New York Knicks/MSG Sexual Harassment case
Court TV Radio - Duke Lacrosse Sexual Allegations
ESPN Classic - Discussed controversial sports figures, including O.J. Simpson, Pete Rose, and Tonya Harding
Rocky Mountain News - Kobe Bryant Civil Case
MSNBC & Orange County Register - Kobe Bryant Civil Case
Philadelphia Inquirer/San Jose Mercury News - Kobe Bryant Civil Case
Fox News - Politics at the Olympics
Russia Profile magazine - Moscow and the 2012 Olympic Bid

Contact Perry

Perry Binder, J.D.
MPI Platinum Program Speaker, 2009-present

Perry Binder

P.O. Box 3774

Alpharetta, GA 30023

404-402-1892

E-mail: PerryBinder@gmail.com 

Twitter: http://twitter.com/Perry_Binder

Proud Teacher Moment: Student Publishes Opinion Piece in The Huffington Post

One of my students published this opinion piece, timed to the one-year anniversary of the execution of Troy Davis in Georgia.  In the Introduction to Law class, we discussed many topics, including the criminal justice systems in the U.S. and Italy.

Troy Davis Would be Alive and Possibly Free Today if Re-Tried like Amanda Knox in Italy
by Samaria Smith

As I recall the minutes after his death, I think of the rage in my heart as I desperately sought understanding on how any system of justice could presume to be so perfect as to take a life for a life. Several months later, I carried my rage to Florence, Italy where I studied abroad in a Georgia State University law class, which compared the U.S. and Italian justice systems.

In Italy, I wrote about the case of Troy Davis -- the black Georgia man convicted of the 1989 shooting death of police officer Mark MacPhail. Simply stated, Davis's conviction, sentence, and lethal injection were administered under a reasonable amount of reasonable doubt.

Continue reading... Troy Davis Would be Alive and Possibly Free Today if Re-Tried like Amanda Knox in Italy

Teacher's Gazette: 10 Career Path Tips to Guide Your Students

I reprinted this article on one of my favorite Teacher websites, which has incredible resources for new or seasoned K-12 Teachers.

10 Career Path Tips to Guide Your Students

In the sage words of Yogi Berra, “if you don’t know where you’re going, you’ll be lost when you get there.” Picking a career path boils down to a cost benefit analysis and a gut check. It is a game of reality versus passion, and your students can start blazing a meaningful path in high school.

But hopefully students can appreciate that every career has an arc, and they aren’t even at the beginning of the curve. Don’t be surprised if their career direction changes significantly a few times before and after they reach the peak.

With that message in mind, here are my 10 career path tips to guide your students:

1. Don’t let anyone crush your dreams. However, the riskier your dream, the better your backup plan must be.

2. There is a huge difference between a childhood dream and a dream job. If you dreamed of being a lawyer since the age of twelve, you better make sure you know exactly what attorneys do on a given twelve hour work day. Did You Know: In a survey of 800 attorneys, only 55 percent reported being satisfied with their career.

3. Make sure your dream job is not an avocation (a hobby). An avocation is a vacation from a vocation, because the pay ranges from little to nothing.

Continue reading at Teachers.net Gazette

Published: Academic Article on Group Activities for College Students

I believe that group activities reinforce student learning at the college level.  I incorporate many of these projects in New Top-Level Domain Names Add .xxxtra Company Burden – Group Activities For Creating Effective Domain Registration Portfolios, 14 ATLANTIC LAW JOURNAL 114-145 (2012)

There is no free internet link to this article, but below is an excerpt of what this topic is about:

The purpose of this paper is to discuss the intersection of trademark law and domain name law; identify the means for a company to retrieve domain names through litigation or domain name arbitration; develop a decision tree to determine which domains are worth pursuing with legal action; and share interactive teaching methods on how students can create a domain name business portfolio. 

These activities include an:

1. In-class module to conduct a state and federal trademark search, followed by a discussion on how trademark law impacts domain name selection;

2. Out-of-class group project to study the domain portfolio of a large corporation, identify available domain names that the company should consider registering, reveal select domain names in the hands of cybersquatters, and analyze the risk of pursuing legal action; and

3. In-class reinforcement group activity to start a business on a “shoestring” budget, focusing on decision making skills for purchasing domain names.

 14 ATLANTIC LAW JOURNAL

"99 Motivators for College Success" in The GSU Signal

In this week's GSU Signal, student reporter Laura Apperson wrote up an excellent piece about the book.

Click here for pdf: 

99 Motivators for College Success

10 Tips for Picking a Career Path in College

In today's Huffington Post...

In the sage words of Yogi Berra, "if you don't know where you're going, you'll be lost when you get there." Picking a career path boils down to a cost benefit analysis and a gut check. It is a game of reality versus passion, and you can start blazing a meaningful path in college.

But hopefully you can appreciate that every career has an arc, and you are at the beginning of the curve. Don't be surprised if your career direction changes significantly a few times before and after you reach the peak.

With that message in mind, here are my 10 tips for picking a career path in college:

1. Don't let anyone crush your dreams. However, the riskier your dream, the better your backup plan must be.

2. There is a huge difference between a childhood dream and a dream job. If you dreamed of being a lawyer since the age of twelve, you better make sure you know exactly what attorneys do on a given twelve hour work day. Did You Know: In a survey of 800 attorneys, only 55 percent reported being satisfied with their career.

3. Make sure your dream job is not an avocation (a hobby). An avocation is a vacation from a vocation, because the pay ranges from little to nothing.

CONTINUE READING 10 Tips for Picking a Career Path in College

10 Tips for Thriving in College Life

In today's Huffington Post, College Section...

Psychologists say that past behavior is the best predictor of future behavior. As a college professor, I strongly disagree. I believe that you can learn from the past, live in the present, and work on your future.

However, scientific research also reveals that the brain's impulse mechanism is not fully developed until around the age of 25. So if you do something incredibly stupid or irrational in your college life and don't know why, at least science is on your side!

With that message in mind, here are my 10 tips for thriving in college life:

1. Live up to and learn to exceed your own expectations, not those imposed on you by family, peers, or cultural images from television and the movies.

CONTINUE READING 10 Tips for Thriving in College Life

10 Classroom Tips for Your First College Semester

Published in The Huffington Post College Section...

As a freshman, it is not only okay to have no idea what to major in, it's also a sign of an open mind to the diverse menu that college has to offer. Hopefully, you are choosing courses which seem interesting to you rather than classes that parents or peers say you have to take immediately.

To me, a college class is just like a Hollywood screenplay, with peaks, valleys, and escalating conflicts along the way. Your professor may be the writer, director, and critic, but you are the lead actor and protagonist who must navigate the obstacles and perform well on each test thrown at you. Try to keep in mind though, that professors are actually rooting for you to succeed. When you fail, they fail.

If you maintain a clear perspective and a healthy sense of humor, these classroom tips should help you through that first college semester:

1. The first day of class is the most important session because it sets the tone for the semester. Rather than grabbing a syllabus, tuning out, and leaving, expect more from yourself that day. You have the power to stay in or drop the class, so intently gauge the course relevance, workload, and potential deliverables.
2. Make a friend on the first day of class so you can swap class notes when needed. Even if the notes stink, you've made a new friend.
3. Think twice before you post something about classes on Facebook or Twitter. It is unwise to tweet ugly thoughts, especially under the hash tag #BoredinClass. Your professors may actually be active on social networks.

CONTINUE READING 10 Classroom Tips for Your First College Semester

@ THE HUFFINGTON POST

"GoodReads" Book Giveaway: 99 Motivators for College Success

* * SIGNED COPIES * *

For "GoodReads" members...

Book Giveaway For 99 Motivators for College Success 

Giveaway through August 8, 2012

2 copies available

Click here to enter: 
http://www.goodreads.com/giveaway/show/30212-99-motivators-for-college-success

Computer Spell Check Bites: Spelling/Grammar for the New School Year

Maybe I'm old school (or getting older), but spell check is not the same as proofreading.

Actual Incident: In a legal document, an attorney asked the judge for a delay in his case because he was undergoing a delicate medical procedure on his back: Disk surgery.  However, he mistakenly typed a different four letter word that looked like DISK, inserting an unfortunate “C” rather than the needed “S.”  Spell check didn’t pick up the error, since the word was spelled correctly.

I.  Sample Student Typos (The reason spell check doesn’t work)

A faulty (faculty) member – maybe s/he got this one right

File a mew (new) motion

Filed on the mourning (morning) of

Going to trail (trial)

Lead (led) to believe

Singing (Signing) an Agreement

The Compliant (Complaint)

Tired (Tried) to flee the scene

Breech (breach) of contract

Break (breach) of contract

Stature (statute) of limitations

Statue (statute) of limitations

And my favorite:

The plaintiff assed (assessed) her need

II.  The Case for Brevity

I try to get students to take “noisy words” out of their writing.  Many times when we speak in public, we use filler words such as “Basically” or “Due to the fact that.”  Whether you realize it or not, we use those words in speech to give our brain an extra millisecond to think about what we’re going to say next.  I learned that when I had a radio show.  With the written word, there is no need for filler:

Student version:

Basically, this case is about…

My version:

This case is about…

Student version:

Due to the fact that the plaintiff was injured…

My version:

Since the plaintiff was injured…

III.  Phrases that Students Just Get Wrong

Tenant (tenet) of law

Woe (whim) of the court (Hmmm, maybe this one was accurate)

Legal principals (principles)

The principle point (principal)

Recover principle (principal), court costs, and interest

IV.  The Case for Brevity (Part II)

Student version:

According to my viewpoint, the case was pretty straightforward with the easiness of issue involved between the parties.

My version:

In my view, the case was straightforward, with easy issues facing the parties.

Student version:

The attorney briefly insinuated the relationship of two of the board members and made it seem like they had previously made a pact with each other.

My version:

The attorney insinuated that two of the board members had previously made a pact.

What is Your Biggest Fear about Starting College?

I asked this question to some readers and got the following responses:

What is/was Your Biggest Fear about Starting College?

My biggest fear was failure.  Finding certain material too hard and not being able to find the right help.  I am about to start my third year in college and I still have the fear of failure. 


My biggest fear is not doing as well as I did went I was younger and had less responsibility; as a single mother, it's just hard to pick a up a book to read.


I have always had a fear of failure since all I ever heard from people in my family was you will never amount to anything.  I am now in college, married, children, and I am enjoying life.  Classes are going great.  My oldest son graduates in four years.  The same year I do.  I am not letting fear get in the way of something that has been my dream for the last 10 years.


Quote from my former student:
Two essential lessons that Perry's class taught me are: important information is everywhere if we spend the time to look closer; and it's more meaningful to find humor in our daily lives than to live with fear, pessimism, or divisiveness. Those lessons go a long way toward finding happiness and reaching the success that we all imagine.


My Thoughts on Fear and Education:
        To me, the greatest barriers to success, however you define that, are a fear of the unknown, a fear of change, and a fear of failure.  But you need a game plan, and hopefully you can lean a little on what you learned in school to figure out that route. No matter what you do in life, you always will have your education.
        You have already accomplished a huge milestone.  The biggest step was just showing up.  That’s it.  The secret most people don’t get until it’s too late.  Just showing up as young freshmen is a threshold event.  Trying something which may be hard for the first time.  Experiencing new things, even if it’s unknown whether the objective is attainable.
        Many times the things you do won’t work.  And you will fail at some things you try. That’s just a fact of life. Abraham Lincoln once said: “My great concern is not whether you have failed, but whether you are content with your failure.”  And you will make mistakes. A lot of them! Both in your careers and your lives. That’s just another fact of life. But that’s okay. The trick is figuring out how to deal with setbacks. Your family and friends will always be there for you. And your education will continually serve as a foundation to get you back on track.
        Franklin D. Roosevelt said: “We are not prisoners of fate, but only prisoners of our own minds.” Students, each of you must unlock your mind and blaze a path built on reason and purpose. Life is too short to spend it bouncing around like a random and aimless ball in a game of Pong.  Whether you are 17, 18, 19, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, or 80 years young, it is never too late to test the boundaries of your dreams. 


Excerpt: 99 Motivators for College Success

L.I.G.H.T. B.U.L.B. Moments for New Teachers Published in The Teacher's Gazette

July 2012 Issue

L.I.G.H.T. B.U.L.B. Moments for New Teachers
by Perry Binder, J.D.

I never dreamed of being a college professor.  Does anybody?  When my third grade teacher asked us about our dream job, Molly said an astronaut; Evan, an actor.  Perry: “Obtain a terminal degree and lecture on legal morasses.”

Every student wants a good laugh, I think.  Humor can be found even in the most stressful situations.  For example, I tell students that I can’t offer legal advice.  But that didn’t stop “Steve” from calling me after class in a panic: “The judge gave me ten days for speeding; they’re taking me away!”  So that night, I drove to the county jail, where the innkeeper ushered me into a tiny drab room facing glass.  Steve appeared on the other side, looking weary and wearing an ugly orange jumpsuit.  I never practiced criminal law, so I just put my hand up to the glass and spread my fingers apart because I saw that done on TV. Steve finally smiled and put his hand up to mine.  He told me what happened, but all I could do was stare at our mitts and think: “Hey, this TV hand thing really works!”

While Steve’s dilemma was no laughing matter, I use that story on the first day of class to set the tone for our semester: Understanding the law is serious business and applied unequally to young college students without counsel.  But we will laugh and learn a lot together.

Click here to continue reading L.I.G.H.T. B.U.L.B. Moments for New Teachers

Excerpt: 99 Motivators for College Success

Professor Perry Binder's Seminars & Keynotes on College Success & Career Choices

FEAR-FOCUS-PASSION:  USING YOUR PERSONAL OBSTACLES TO FUEL CAREER SUCCESS

Perry teaches participants how his harrowing events at ages 15 (Fear) and 21 (Focus) prepared him for his career direction and choice at 27. (Passion)  Using examples from his new book, 99 Motivators for College Success, Perry demonstrates how to use fear, focus, and passion as the fuel to drive career decisions.

99 MOTIVATORS FOR COLLEGE SUCCESS IN THE CLASSROOM

- For students  Perry applies 99 Motivators for College Success to teach college or high school students how to succeed in the college classroom. His unconventional tips include how to study for multiple choice exams and how to write model essay exam answers.

- For new professors or teachers  Perry applies 99 Motivators for College Success to teach new professors or teachers his innovative and contagious teaching methods for students to succeed in class.

CLICK HERE for PERRY'S LAW SEMINARS & KEYNOTES

Contact Perry

Perry Binder, J.D.
Member: NSA, ASTD, PAGE. ALSB, The Florida Bar
MPI Platinum Program Speaker, 2009-present

National Speakers Association Profile

Perry Binder

P.O. Box 3774

Alpharetta, GA 30023

404-402-1892

E-mail: PerryBinder@gmail.com 

Twitter: http://twitter.com/Perry_Binder

New study backs up College Motivator #49: Distraction from Learning is the Key to Learning

College Motivator #49: 
Distraction from Learning is the 
Key to Learning


To Stay on Schedule, Take a Break

By PHYLLIS KORKKI

Published: June 16, 2012

The New York Times

A growing body of evidence shows that taking regular breaks from mental tasks improves productivity and creativity — and that skipping breaks can lead to stress and exhaustion. ...

Employees generally need to detach from their work and their work space to recharge their internal resources, he says. Options include walking, reading a book in another room or taking the all-important lunch break, which provides both nutritional and cognitive recharging.

Continue reading in The New York Times:

To Stay on Schedule, Take a Break

Article: GSU professor writes motivational book

GSU professor's book helps transition to college

Intended for students, parents, counselors

The book is not just for high school graduates.  It's for parents to see the pressures that are put on college students and high school guidance counselors to assist students.

The Johns Creek Herald
June 14, 2012

Johns Creek resident and Georgia State University professor Perry Binder has released a book intended to help college students.

"I've been teaching for a long time and probably the biggest transition that I see is when high school graduates go into college," said Binder, an assistant professor of legal studies at GSU's Robinson College of Business and author of "99 Motivators for College Success."

He said the skills one learns in college are different from those one learns in high school. College tests critical thinking skills, while most high schools focus on memorization.

Click below to continue reading...
GSU professor writes motivational book

Professionalism and Humor for Paralegals

Join us during Paralegal Week in Georgia:
Wednesday, June 13th, 12:00 - 1:30
Lunch and Learn: Professionalism and Humor, by Perry Binder, J.D. – no charge
Sponsored and hosted by: Esquire Solutions
PARALEGAL REGISTRATION: complete online form

Location
Esquire Deposition Solutions
2700 Centennial Tower
101 Marietta Street
Atlanta, GA  30303

Topics include:

Do we need an Attorney to Paralegal “Bill of Professionalism Rights”?

  1.   L. isten to your Paralegals

 2.    I. nspire and challenge them with interesting work

 3.    G. ive hope to everyone in the firm

 4.    H. eap compliments on Paralegals for quality work

 5.    T. each to your strengths as an attorney

6.     B. e patient with your Paralegal

 7.    U. nderstand that new Paralegals lack your knowledge of the law

 8.    L. earn from your Paralegals

 9.    B. e willing to walk in your Paralegal’s shoes

10.   S. ee to it that your Paralegal’s professional aspirations are a law firm priority

Adapted from Perry’s L. I. G. H. T.  B. U. L. B. Moment for Attorneys working with Paralegals

College Motivator #99 - Studying Abroad is a Life Changing Experience!

COLLEGE LIFE MOTIVATOR #99

If possible, study abroad for a summer or semester.  You’ll learn more about life and yourself than you will at your home institution.

GSU Law class, May 7-31, 2012

Piazza della Repubblica, Florence Italy

I had the privilege of teaching Introduction to Law and bringing 19 Georgia State University undergraduate students to Florence to CEA's classrooms.

Topics included:

I.    The U.S. and Italian Court Systems

II.  Criminal Justice Issues in the U.S. and Italian Courts

III. Business Law Issues in Italy and the U.S., including Social Media and Privacy in the Workplace, Intellectual Property, and Domain Name Disputes

IV.  Civil Justice Issues in Italy and the U.S.

Random quotes from students on what they learned about themselves:

- Witnessing the possibility of everything life has to offer

- Being around such great, successful and motivating peers taught me a lot about myself - They pushed me and showed me that I can be better

- My exposure to the courthouses and guest speakers and trip to Italy has expanded my horizon

- The determination to never settle for the bare minimum has become a part of me

- Determination can outweigh fatigue and fear - struggling to do what you know you are capable of is one of the most rewarding experiences I could partake in

- The people we met had a great impact on me; I want to do something international - this experience has given a new path for me

- While in Italy, I became more familiar with the intellectual property side of the law - I could put my passion for fashion and litigation to use

- I have learned that I am blessed to be where I am in my life right now

For photos and schedule of class trips/speakers:
http://perrybinder.blogspot.com/

College Classroom Motivator #41: Intelligence is wrapped in many packages.

COLLEGE CLASSROOM MOTIVATOR

#41

Intelligence is wrapped in many packages.  “Book smarts” is only one measure, but you still need to strive for good grades.  The best way to figure out how to study is to attend class and observe what topics are important to professors.  Those subjects usually wind up on their exams.

QUICK STORY FROM THE CLASSROOM

Intelligence is wrapped in many packages.

As I sat in class during the first year of law school, I was confused at times when others raised their hands and offered wild legal theories.  What I discovered after the fact is that classroom discussion leaders do not always perform as well on exams as the shy, silent student who doesn’t utter a peep all semester.

Regardless, I don’t equate good grades with intelligence.  One psychologist, Robert Sternberg, identifies three types of intelligence in his Triarchic Model:

• Componential Intelligence – analytic, academic abilities to solve problems

• Experiential Intelligence – creativity and insight, the ability to invent, discover, and theorize

• Practical Intelligence – street smarts, ability to adapt to the environment

I once wrote a letter of recommendation for a student who received a “C” in my course because after many discussions outside of class, I recognized that he had the practical intelligence to succeed in his chosen profession.

This story is the basis for Motivator #41

Copyright 2012 99 Motivators for College Success

Career Motivators: Do what you love but don’t let your career choices jeopardize anyone you love. Including...

... Yourself.

CAREER PATH MOTIVATOR

#10

Do what you love but don’t let your career choices jeopardize anyone you love.  Including yourself.  Translation: Take care of others but don’t forget to take care of yourself, sometimes before others.  Listen to our airline flight attendants: “Put your own oxygen mask on first before assisting others with their masks.”

QUICK STORY BEFORE PICKING A CAREER PATH

Do what you love but don’t jeopardize anyone you love.  Including yourself.

Recognize and assess the risks in every major decision you make, and how they affect those around you.

When I left the full-time practice of law to teach, I was single and had no children.   Would I have made such a career transition if I had a spouse and two kids at the time?  I’d like to think so because in the end, career satisfaction is one key to personal fulfillment.  Some opportunities are rare and don’t come around often.  The difficult part is learning whether to jump at or pass on an adventure when your responsibilities require the support of those around you, and dictate a closer look at the risk and reward.

This story is the basis for Motivator #10

99 Motivators for College Success book (2012)