Imagine being able to go through college and the rest of your life as if you were on a luxury cruise. If you’ve never been on one, there’s just something about boarding a cruise ship that gets everybody pumped and looking forward to the best journey of their lives. If you have been on one, you know what I mean.
Consider this… Your present college experience IS a cruise. At least it can be if you make the right preparation and climb on board with the right attitude. Just like a cruise, your next semester and your entire college experience can be full of fun and positive experiences. The great thing about this cruise through college and through life is that YOU are the captain of your ship!
In over 10 years as a cruise director, I found that a successful cruise depends on three elements: having well-planned fun, visiting some amazing ports of call and making sure that everyone on board is safe, comfortable and prepared for any potential disaster. Here’s how you can translate that into a life plan.
1. HAVE FUN
There isn’t much point to a cruise unless there’s fun involved. Fun is the glue that holds everything together not only on a cruise, but during this semester as well. Seek to have fun this semester, not only outside of class, but in your classes as well. Fun is like a magic wand that can change things for the better as soon as you put in to work for you. It makes the difference between a day full of darkness and negativity, or a day full of energy, promise and, well….fun! Things really change for the better when you make it a point to make it fun.
2. PLAN YOUR COURSE
Every cruise has a plan to visit some amazing ports of call and each of those stops is strategically chosen to add specific value and create specific experiences. In the cruise that is your life, this means setting goals to succeed and realizing them. It’s a great feeling to set out with a specific destination in mind and then get there. Choosing the right ports and charting the correct course means you’re not wandering aimlessly at sea. Whether it’s a higher GPA, a specific career or just successfully making it through to graduation it’s essential that you have a plan. As the captain of your ship make a plan to get the most out of each place the ship stops. Each day of your cruise is another opportunity to get the most out of your life on campus.
3. MAKE SURE SAFETY PROTOCOLS ARE IN PLACE
On board a real cruise, before we head for that first port and before all the fun begins we take a moment to make everyone aware of the safety procedures just in case of an unforeseen rough waters or worse yet, a disaster at sea. If you happen to be experiencing rough seas this semester, don’t go down with your ship. Just like a cruise ship has life jackets, life boats and special instructions in case of emergency, so should you. Throughout your cruise, a good captain ensures your physical, mental and emotional security in every moment – and especially during a disaster. The laws of society, campus guidelines and resources, things your parents taught you and your own personal attitudes, help you to feel safe so your cruise can be fun.
If you’ll just take control and be the captain of your ship, all of the excitement you experience on a cruise can be the exact same excitement you can realize for yourself this semester. All it takes is knowing that life really IS a cruise full of fun, adventure and success. The trip is up to you simply because… you are the Captain of your ship!
Bon Voyage!
Robert
Motivational Speaker Robert Landau spent a decade of his life as a Cruise Director sailing the world and meeting people from all cultures and all walks of life. In his keynotes, interactive programs and writings Robert encourages college students, professionals and everyday people to live using his three elements of a successful cruise by; 1) having fun, 2) planning your destinations and 3) making sure you're safe in case the waters get rough. Robert is available to keynote campus events or deliver workshops for your students and staff.
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