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Kerry Washington’s Top 10 Rules For Success (@kerrywashington)


the notion that we are not enough is a

the notion that we are not enough is a lie

lie

lie it’s important for us to remember the

it’s important for us to remember the

it’s important for us to remember the joy in what we do I was terrified to

joy in what we do I was terrified to

joy in what we do I was terrified to pursue acting as a career I I really

pursue acting as a career I I really

pursue acting as a career I I really didn’t think that this was kind of an

didn’t think that this was kind of an

didn’t think that this was kind of an industry that I had what it takes to

industry that I had what it takes to

industry that I had what it takes to compete in she’s an American actress who

compete in she’s an American actress who

compete in she’s an American actress who rose to prominence for starring in ABC’s

rose to prominence for starring in ABC’s

rose to prominence for starring in ABC’s drama scandal for her work in scandal

drama scandal for her work in scandal

drama scandal for her work in scandal she was nominated for an Emmy Award at

she was nominated for an Emmy Award at

she was nominated for an Emmy Award at the 65th and 66th Primetime Emmy Awards

the 65th and 66th Primetime Emmy Awards

the 65th and 66th Primetime Emmy Awards in 2014

in 2014

in 2014 Time magazine included her in their time

Time magazine included her in their time

Time magazine included her in their time 100 list

100 list

100 list she’s Kerry Washington and here is my

she’s Kerry Washington and here is my

she’s Kerry Washington and here is my take on her top ten rules for success

take on her top ten rules for success

take on her top ten rules for success rule number one is on personal favorite

rule number one is on personal favorite

rule number one is on personal favorite and make sure to stick around all

and make sure to stick around all

and make sure to stick around all through to the end for some special

through to the end for some special

through to the end for some special bonus clips also as Kerry is talking if

bonus clips also as Kerry is talking if

bonus clips also as Kerry is talking if you says something that really resonates

you says something that really resonates

you says something that really resonates with you please leave it in the comments

with you please leave it in the comments

with you please leave it in the comments below and put quotes around it so other

below and put quotes around it so other

below and put quotes around it so other people can be inspired as well enjoy

the notion that we are not enough is a

the notion that we are not enough is a lie and I think more young people need

lie and I think more young people need

lie and I think more young people need to know that that like when you have

to know that that like when you have

to know that that like when you have that thought that you’re not enough that

that thought that you’re not enough that

that thought that you’re not enough that that’s based on a lie that somebody said

that’s based on a lie that somebody said

that’s based on a lie that somebody said to you or so or a lie that somebody did

to you or so or a lie that somebody did

to you or so or a lie that somebody did to you like somebody said or did

to you like somebody said or did

to you like somebody said or did something to you to make you feel like

something to you to make you feel like

something to you to make you feel like you’re not enough and that’s not true

you’re not enough and that’s not true

you’re not enough and that’s not true that you are everything that you need to

that you are everything that you need to

that you are everything that you need to be that you have everything that you

be that you have everything that you

be that you have everything that you need to have to be the person that

need to have to be the person that

need to have to be the person that you’re meant to be and to be the best

you’re meant to be and to be the best

you’re meant to be and to be the best version of who you’re meant to be it may

version of who you’re meant to be it may

version of who you’re meant to be it may mean that you have to work really hard

mean that you have to work really hard

mean that you have to work really hard and it may mean that you have to ask for

and it may mean that you have to ask for

and it may mean that you have to ask for help but you are perfectly blessed you

help but you are perfectly blessed you

help but you are perfectly blessed you know you are exactly who you’re supposed

know you are exactly who you’re supposed

know you are exactly who you’re supposed to be to be joyful in this life so don’t

to be to be joyful in this life so don’t

to be to be joyful in this life so don’t be afraid to work hard and don’t be

be afraid to work hard and don’t be

be afraid to work hard and don’t be afraid to ask for help so you can get

afraid to ask for help so you can get

afraid to ask for help so you can get there because that’s your truth I had a

there because that’s your truth I had a

there because that’s your truth I had a yoga teacher who said to me always stay

yoga teacher who said to me always stay

yoga teacher who said to me always stay on your own yoga mat because sometimes

on your own yoga mat because sometimes

on your own yoga mat because sometimes if you’re in headstand and you’re too

if you’re in headstand and you’re too

if you’re in headstand and you’re too busy looking at the person on the other

busy looking at the person on the other

busy looking at the person on the other mat you could literally break your neck

mat you could literally break your neck

mat you could literally break your neck I feel like that’s a really good

I feel like that’s a really good

I feel like that’s a really good metaphor for life to stay on your own

metaphor for life to stay on your own

metaphor for life to stay on your own path do what’s right for you you can’t

path do what’s right for you you can’t

path do what’s right for you you can’t compare your insides with somebody

compare your insides with somebody

compare your insides with somebody else’s outsides because you never know

else’s outsides because you never know

else’s outsides because you never know what’s going on for somebody else really

what’s going on for somebody else really

what’s going on for somebody else really you don’t have a lot of free time to do

you don’t have a lot of free time to do

you don’t have a lot of free time to do other stuff do you no I don’t have there

other stuff do you no I don’t have there

other stuff do you no I don’t have there been situations where there was

been situations where there was

been situations where there was something that you really wanted to do

something that you really wanted to do

something that you really wanted to do movie wise or any other any other part

movie wise or any other any other part

movie wise or any other any other part that you just weren’t able to do because

that you just weren’t able to do because

that you just weren’t able to do because of your schedule yeah it’s come up a

of your schedule yeah it’s come up a

of your schedule yeah it’s come up a couple times but that’s the commitment

couple times but that’s the commitment

couple times but that’s the commitment you make particularly when you’re doing

you make particularly when you’re doing

you make particularly when you’re doing a Network show is you you kind of have

a Network show is you you kind of have

a Network show is you you kind of have to be willing to let some other stuff go

to be willing to let some other stuff go

to be willing to let some other stuff go and it’s helped me to really focus so

and it’s helped me to really focus so

and it’s helped me to really focus so that the projects that I do during

that the projects that I do during

that the projects that I do during hiatus like the movie I’m going to do

hiatus like the movie I’m going to do

hiatus like the movie I’m going to do this season is something I’m really

this season is something I’m really

this season is something I’m really really passionate about because I only

really passionate about because I only

really passionate about because I only have one window to do something else so

have one window to do something else so

have one window to do something else so it has to be something that really means

it has to be something that really means

it has to be something that really means a lot to me I got great advice from you

a lot to me I got great advice from you

a lot to me I got great advice from you know one of the people that totally

know one of the people that totally

know one of the people that totally fascinates me as Bob Iger he’s the CEO

fascinates me as Bob Iger he’s the CEO

fascinates me as Bob Iger he’s the CEO of the Walt Disney ABC world and he so

of the Walt Disney ABC world and he so

of the Walt Disney ABC world and he so his job is so weird to me because he is

his job is so weird to me because he is

his job is so weird to me because he is in charge of everything from like a

in charge of everything from like a

in charge of everything from like a Disney cruise to George Stephanopoulos

Disney cruise to George Stephanopoulos

Disney cruise to George Stephanopoulos ABC News like he thought he had to like

ABC News like he thought he had to like

ABC News like he thought he had to like a theme park to scandal like every all

a theme park to scandal like every all

a theme park to scandal like every all of that falls into the ABC Disney family

of that falls into the ABC Disney family

of that falls into the ABC Disney family and I asked him and it was very helpful

and I asked him and it was very helpful

and I asked him and it was very helpful to me I asked him a few months ago like

to me I asked him a few months ago like

to me I asked him a few months ago like how do you decide what you’re going to

how do you decide what you’re going to

how do you decide what you’re going to work on in a day and they said something

work on in a day and they said something

work on in a day and they said something so valuable to me so I want to share

so valuable to me so I want to share

so valuable to me so I want to share with you guys he said 80% of his time he

with you guys he said 80% of his time he

with you guys he said 80% of his time he tries to think about where can I have

tries to think about where can I have

tries to think about where can I have impact where am I going to make a

impact where am I going to make a

impact where am I going to make a difference in the day today so it may

difference in the day today so it may

difference in the day today so it may not usually be Disney cruises but

not usually be Disney cruises but

not usually be Disney cruises but sometimes it needs to be because the

sometimes it needs to be because the

sometimes it needs to be because the cruise business has been doing what the

cruise business has been doing what the

cruise business has been doing what the cruise business is doing or that’s not

cruise business is doing or that’s not

cruise business is doing or that’s not quoting him by the way but there you

quoting him by the way but there you

quoting him by the way but there you know it may sometimes it’s a Broadway

know it may sometimes it’s a Broadway

know it may sometimes it’s a Broadway show that’s about to open sometimes it’s

show that’s about to open sometimes it’s

show that’s about to open sometimes it’s they eat the ESPYs because ESPN that’s

they eat the ESPYs because ESPN that’s

they eat the ESPYs because ESPN that’s where his focus needs to be so it’s

where his focus needs to be so it’s

where his focus needs to be so it’s really about like where can I have

really about like where can I have

really about like where can I have impact today and the other where am I

impact today and the other where am I

impact today and the other where am I needed the other 20% is what brings me

needed the other 20% is what brings me

needed the other 20% is what brings me joy you know so there are certain movie

joy you know so there are certain movie

joy you know so there are certain movie projects that fall under the ABC Disney

projects that fall under the ABC Disney

projects that fall under the ABC Disney World that bring him joy or certain

World that bring him joy or certain

World that bring him joy or certain shows are certain you know an opening of

shows are certain you know an opening of

shows are certain you know an opening of a park or there are certain things that

a park or there are certain things that

a park or there are certain things that bring him that just fill him up that

bring him that just fill him up that

bring him that just fill him up that fall in his work responsibilities and I

fall in his work responsibilities and I

fall in his work responsibilities and I just really try I’ve tried to bring that

just really try I’ve tried to bring that

just really try I’ve tried to bring that with me because you know it’s important

with me because you know it’s important

with me because you know it’s important for us to remember the joy in what we do

for us to remember the joy in what we do

for us to remember the joy in what we do it’s important to be effective in our

it’s important to be effective in our

it’s important to be effective in our workplace but it’s important to

workplace but it’s important to

workplace but it’s important to cultivate the moments that just bring us

cultivate the moments that just bring us

cultivate the moments that just bring us joy because that’s how we’ll shine in

joy because that’s how we’ll shine in

joy because that’s how we’ll shine in our in our lives as professionals I joke

our in our lives as professionals I joke

our in our lives as professionals I joke around that I think about quitting the

around that I think about quitting the

around that I think about quitting the business at least once a year Wow

business at least once a year Wow

business at least once a year Wow because it’s tough you know and I know

because it’s tough you know and I know

because it’s tough you know and I know there’s been a lot of talk about your

there’s been a lot of talk about your

there’s been a lot of talk about your misery

misery

misery being your message and for me that has

being your message and for me that has

being your message and for me that has it has really been that I have to be

it has really been that I have to be

it has really been that I have to be willing to go into the places that scare

willing to go into the places that scare

willing to go into the places that scare me in order for God to be able to use me

me in order for God to be able to use me

me in order for God to be able to use me that’s often what my job asks of me and

that’s often what my job asks of me and

that’s often what my job asks of me and sometimes I get tired and talk about

sometimes I get tired and talk about

sometimes I get tired and talk about quitting but then God puts another

quitting but then God puts another

quitting but then God puts another wonderful project in front of me and I

wonderful project in front of me and I

wonderful project in front of me and I think all right I guess I’m back at it

think all right I guess I’m back at it

think all right I guess I’m back at it yeah yeah there was a period before

yeah yeah there was a period before

yeah yeah there was a period before scandal when I went into the wilderness

scandal when I went into the wilderness

scandal when I went into the wilderness and for me what that meant was there was

and for me what that meant was there was

and for me what that meant was there was a lot of toxicity in my life people that

a lot of toxicity in my life people that

a lot of toxicity in my life people that I needed to let go of in a personal way

I needed to let go of in a personal way

I needed to let go of in a personal way in a business way and also I felt like I

in a business way and also I felt like I

in a business way and also I felt like I had been living my career kind of on

had been living my career kind of on

had been living my career kind of on autopilot and I took a break and did a

autopilot and I took a break and did a

autopilot and I took a break and did a Broadway play and I went back to my

Broadway play and I went back to my

Broadway play and I went back to my roots as an artist and doing Broadway is

roots as an artist and doing Broadway is

roots as an artist and doing Broadway is not gonna make you rich I think it costs

not gonna make you rich I think it costs

not gonna make you rich I think it costs me money to delay on Broadway but it was

me money to delay on Broadway but it was

me money to delay on Broadway but it was my return to my my artistic essence kind

my return to my my artistic essence kind

my return to my my artistic essence kind of the conversation between audience and

of the conversation between audience and

of the conversation between audience and artists and and I worked with a director

artists and and I worked with a director

artists and and I worked with a director who who really challenged me and so

who who really challenged me and so

who who really challenged me and so going into the wilderness really meant

going into the wilderness really meant

going into the wilderness really meant stripping myself of a lot of unnecessary

stripping myself of a lot of unnecessary

stripping myself of a lot of unnecessary weight in my life and and the the ritual

weight in my life and and the the ritual

weight in my life and and the the ritual of doing theatre is I thought of it as

of doing theatre is I thought of it as

of doing theatre is I thought of it as going into a monastery because you do

going into a monastery because you do

going into a monastery because you do the same thing eight times a week in the

the same thing eight times a week in the

the same thing eight times a week in the same place you say the same words with

same place you say the same words with

same place you say the same words with the same props and so it is a ritual

the same props and so it is a ritual

the same props and so it is a ritual that you commit to and I just wanted to

that you commit to and I just wanted to

that you commit to and I just wanted to in a monk-like way commit to that ritual

in a monk-like way commit to that ritual

in a monk-like way commit to that ritual and let it let it teach me about myself

and let it let it teach me about myself

and let it let it teach me about myself and let myself unfold and in that period

and let myself unfold and in that period

and let myself unfold and in that period I let go of a lot of people and a lot of

I let go of a lot of people and a lot of

I let go of a lot of people and a lot of things I experienced a lot of loss

things I experienced a lot of loss

things I experienced a lot of loss professionally I had for example

professionally I had for example

professionally I had for example companies that I was working with on an

companies that I was working with on an

companies that I was working with on an endorsement level that walked away from

endorsement level that walked away from

endorsement level that walked away from me because then everybody loves not

me because then everybody loves not

me because then everybody loves not everybody thinks Broadway’s sexy and my

everybody thinks Broadway’s sexy and my

everybody thinks Broadway’s sexy and my personal life changed a great deal I

personal life changed a great deal I

personal life changed a great deal I love myself to be open to change in my

love myself to be open to change in my

love myself to be open to change in my personal life I don’t talk about my

personal life I don’t talk about my

personal life I don’t talk about my personal life very often but that’s true

personal life very often but that’s true

personal life very often but that’s true so I think going into the wilderness

so I think going into the wilderness

so I think going into the wilderness made me ready as an artist as a person

made me ready as an artist as a person

made me ready as an artist as a person as a business woman to receive scandal

as a business woman to receive scandal

as a business woman to receive scandal all your mentors in this business and I

all your mentors in this business and I

all your mentors in this business and I mean Shonda obviously yeah you guys have

mean Shonda obviously yeah you guys have

mean Shonda obviously yeah you guys have worked together but backstage we were

worked together but backstage we were

worked together but backstage we were talking about you might with Cicely

talking about you might with Cicely

talking about you might with Cicely Tyson yeah you were just like oh my gosh

Tyson yeah you were just like oh my gosh

Tyson yeah you were just like oh my gosh yeah I mean I have heroes heroes of mine

yeah I mean I have heroes heroes of mine

yeah I mean I have heroes heroes of mine are you know Cicely Tyson and Diane

are you know Cicely Tyson and Diane

are you know Cicely Tyson and Diane Carol Rita Moreno Barbara Streisand

Carol Rita Moreno Barbara Streisand

Carol Rita Moreno Barbara Streisand I mean women who have just kind of said

I mean women who have just kind of said

I mean women who have just kind of said you know oh I don’t fit your

you know oh I don’t fit your

you know oh I don’t fit your conventional idea of what a superstar

conventional idea of what a superstar

conventional idea of what a superstar looks like too bad you know and anyway

looks like too bad you know and anyway

looks like too bad you know and anyway yeah exactly I’m going to do me and and

yeah exactly I’m going to do me and and

yeah exactly I’m going to do me and and those women have been real heroes of

those women have been real heroes of

those women have been real heroes of mine mentors Shonda is a big one Jane

mine mentors Shonda is a big one Jane

mine mentors Shonda is a big one Jane Fonda is it is a big mentor of mine and

Fonda is it is a big mentor of mine and

Fonda is it is a big mentor of mine and she’s somebody who really beautifully

she’s somebody who really beautifully

she’s somebody who really beautifully combines her politics and activism with

combines her politics and activism with

combines her politics and activism with her work I mean I don’t know how many

her work I mean I don’t know how many

her work I mean I don’t know how many people know this but the movie 9:00 to

people know this but the movie 9:00 to

people know this but the movie 9:00 to 5:00 resulted in the Union for

5:00 resulted in the Union for

5:00 resulted in the Union for secretaries there had been no secretary

secretaries there had been no secretary

secretaries there had been no secretary there had been no Union for

there had been no Union for

there had been no Union for administrative assistants and that movie

administrative assistants and that movie

administrative assistants and that movie sort of brought to light the need

sort of brought to light the need

sort of brought to light the need because of abuse and the workplace of

because of abuse and the workplace of

because of abuse and the workplace of women and that to me is always a shining

women and that to me is always a shining

women and that to me is always a shining example of using art and really great

example of using art and really great

example of using art and really great fun art to better the world so she’s a

fun art to better the world so she’s a

fun art to better the world so she’s a real mentor of mine Eve Ensler also

real mentor of mine Eve Ensler also

real mentor of mine Eve Ensler also who’s the writer of The Vagina

who’s the writer of The Vagina

who’s the writer of The Vagina Monologues yeah yeah if I can really

Monologues yeah yeah if I can really

Monologues yeah yeah if I can really show up for life with my imperfections

show up for life with my imperfections

show up for life with my imperfections we give each other permission to be

we give each other permission to be

we give each other permission to be human when we show up when we hide under

human when we show up when we hide under

human when we show up when we hide under the covers and feel like I have to be

the covers and feel like I have to be

the covers and feel like I have to be perfect I have to look perfect I have to

perfect I have to look perfect I have to

perfect I have to look perfect I have to do perfect then we rob each other of

do perfect then we rob each other of

do perfect then we rob each other of community it’s in our truth and our

community it’s in our truth and our

community it’s in our truth and our imperfections in our beauties in our

imperfections in our beauties in our

imperfections in our beauties in our flaws in our strengths that’s where we

flaws in our strengths that’s where we

flaws in our strengths that’s where we find strength together that’s when we’re

find strength together that’s when we’re

find strength together that’s when we’re honest yes so it listen I’m I mean even

honest yes so it listen I’m I mean even

honest yes so it listen I’m I mean even I know when you look at Olivia Pope you

I know when you look at Olivia Pope you

I know when you look at Olivia Pope you are seeing a team at work i sat in a

are seeing a team at work i sat in a

are seeing a team at work i sat in a hair and makeup chair for hours you know

hair and makeup chair for hours you know

hair and makeup chair for hours you know I didn’t roll

I didn’t roll

I didn’t roll the bed to be Olivia Pope there’s

the bed to be Olivia Pope there’s

the bed to be Olivia Pope there’s somebody who gets paid all day to brush

somebody who gets paid all day to brush

somebody who gets paid all day to brush my hair so you know people and I think

my hair so you know people and I think

my hair so you know people and I think it’s important for me to say that

it’s important for me to say that

it’s important for me to say that because it’s a disservice for you to

because it’s a disservice for you to

because it’s a disservice for you to feel like you have to look like your

feel like you have to look like your

feel like you have to look like your hair is laid all day long like literally

hair is laid all day long like literally

hair is laid all day long like literally somebody is in a hair Union following me

somebody is in a hair Union following me

somebody is in a hair Union following me around with a brush and some hairspray

around with a brush and some hairspray

around with a brush and some hairspray all day so that Olivia Pope’s hair is

all day so that Olivia Pope’s hair is

all day so that Olivia Pope’s hair is laid and it is well yeah I mean she’s

laid and it is well yeah I mean she’s

laid and it is well yeah I mean she’s good good good so that’s you know it’s

good good good so that’s you know it’s

good good good so that’s you know it’s important for us to talk about that

important for us to talk about that

important for us to talk about that because I don’t look like that when I go

because I don’t look like that when I go

because I don’t look like that when I go to Whole Foods you know what I mean I

to Whole Foods you know what I mean I

to Whole Foods you know what I mean I don’t I don’t bring Lynda with me to

don’t I don’t bring Lynda with me to

don’t I don’t bring Lynda with me to Whole Foods I go to lose my little

Whole Foods I go to lose my little

Whole Foods I go to lose my little hairband and it’s up in a bun and let’s

hairband and it’s up in a bun and let’s

hairband and it’s up in a bun and let’s gonna get some apples so you know I

gonna get some apples so you know I

gonna get some apples so you know I think it’s important that we sort of

think it’s important that we sort of

think it’s important that we sort of frame our expectations and know that I

frame our expectations and know that I

frame our expectations and know that I know for me to show up as the character

know for me to show up as the character

know for me to show up as the character I want to have all those pieces in place

I want to have all those pieces in place

I want to have all those pieces in place to inspire and to have a creative moment

to inspire and to have a creative moment

to inspire and to have a creative moment but I am NOT Olivia Pope you know and

but I am NOT Olivia Pope you know and

but I am NOT Olivia Pope you know and I’m just Carrie I was terrified to

I’m just Carrie I was terrified to

I’m just Carrie I was terrified to pursue acting as a career I I really

pursue acting as a career I I really

pursue acting as a career I I really didn’t think that this was kind of an

didn’t think that this was kind of an

didn’t think that this was kind of an industry that I had what it takes to

industry that I had what it takes to

industry that I had what it takes to compete in because I didn’t and I don’t

compete in because I didn’t and I don’t

compete in because I didn’t and I don’t necessarily have a drive toward fame

necessarily have a drive toward fame

necessarily have a drive toward fame it’s not something that really calls to

it’s not something that really calls to

it’s not something that really calls to me

me

me and so I just thought well I’ll never

and so I just thought well I’ll never

and so I just thought well I’ll never make it because I’m not one of those

make it because I’m not one of those

make it because I’m not one of those girls that wants to be on the cover of

girls that wants to be on the cover of

girls that wants to be on the cover of every magazine like I just really love

every magazine like I just really love

every magazine like I just really love to act and it wasn’t until I found out

to act and it wasn’t until I found out

to act and it wasn’t until I found out about the existence of actors unions and

about the existence of actors unions and

about the existence of actors unions and knowing what unions mean in our country

knowing what unions mean in our country

knowing what unions mean in our country and in our history I just thought oh

and in our history I just thought oh

and in our history I just thought oh well if there are unions for actors then

well if there are unions for actors then

well if there are unions for actors then that must mean there are thousands of

that must mean there are thousands of

that must mean there are thousands of people who are making a living doing

people who are making a living doing

people who are making a living doing what they love to do even if they’re

what they love to do even if they’re

what they love to do even if they’re never famous so maybe I’ll give it a try

never famous so maybe I’ll give it a try

never famous so maybe I’ll give it a try we’re gonna play dance charades and I’m

we’re gonna play dance charades and I’m

we’re gonna play dance charades and I’m gonna give you 45 seconds to show me how

gonna give you 45 seconds to show me how

gonna give you 45 seconds to show me how because I think you’ll be a very good

because I think you’ll be a very good

because I think you’ll be a very good dancer and I like to tie a game so we’ll

dancer and I like to tie a game so we’ll

dancer and I like to tie a game so we’ll all be here and let’s see what we have

all be here and let’s see what we have

all be here and let’s see what we have going over here okay

going over here okay

going over here okay [Applause]

when you said dance for you I wasn’t

when you said dance for you I wasn’t sure what you’re ready yeah no no I

sure what you’re ready yeah no no I

sure what you’re ready yeah no no I don’t have any dollar bills in my pen

don’t have any dollar bills in my pen

don’t have any dollar bills in my pen tie around she was gonna make it rain no

tie around she was gonna make it rain no

tie around she was gonna make it rain no no okay somebody give me some dollar

no okay somebody give me some dollar

no okay somebody give me some dollar bills all right so so you have 45

bills all right so so you have 45

bills all right so so you have 45 seconds on the clock okay I hold up the

seconds on the clock okay I hold up the

seconds on the clock okay I hold up the card I’m gonna have to guess what you’re

card I’m gonna have to guess what you’re

card I’m gonna have to guess what you’re uh I’m glad you’re gonna write yeah 45

uh I’m glad you’re gonna write yeah 45

uh I’m glad you’re gonna write yeah 45 seconds on the clock go oh okay

seconds on the clock go oh okay

seconds on the clock go oh okay ready gang um oh yeah knob uh wall ting

ready gang um oh yeah knob uh wall ting

ready gang um oh yeah knob uh wall ting a plumbing go dancing uh uh that is a

a plumbing go dancing uh uh that is a

a plumbing go dancing uh uh that is a kind of dance yeah yeah it’s a ballroom

kind of dance yeah yeah it’s a ballroom

kind of dance yeah yeah it’s a ballroom dancing yes and I pass and it rained oh

dancing yes and I pass and it rained oh

dancing yes and I pass and it rained oh I’m sorry

I’m sorry

I’m sorry okay uh I should know the name of that

okay uh I should know the name of that

okay uh I should know the name of that running man haha

running man haha

running man haha um uh tap it’s like hugging your scars

um uh tap it’s like hugging your scars

um uh tap it’s like hugging your scars in your mouth

in your mouth

in your mouth uh yeah something like that yeah what’s

uh yeah something like that yeah what’s

uh yeah something like that yeah what’s it okay okay

single lady

single lady [Applause]

here with the one and only Kerry

here with the one and only Kerry Washington right now we are

Washington right now we are

Washington right now we are a box of lies here’s how it works

a box of lies here’s how it works

a box of lies here’s how it works upstage are a bunch of boxes containing

upstage are a bunch of boxes containing

upstage are a bunch of boxes containing objects neither of us have seen before

objects neither of us have seen before

objects neither of us have seen before taking turns Kari and I are going to

taking turns Kari and I are going to

taking turns Kari and I are going to select the box and open it on our side

select the box and open it on our side

select the box and open it on our side of the table out of the view of the

of the table out of the view of the

of the table out of the view of the other person once the object is out of

other person once the object is out of

other person once the object is out of the box you look at your opponent and

the box you look at your opponent and

the box you look at your opponent and tell them what’s in the box you might be

tell them what’s in the box you might be

tell them what’s in the box you might be lying you might be telling the truth

lying you might be telling the truth

lying you might be telling the truth your opponent has to guess which one and

your opponent has to guess which one and

your opponent has to guess which one and say either lie or truth you guess

say either lie or truth you guess

say either lie or truth you guess correctly you get a point you gets wrong

correctly you get a point you gets wrong

correctly you get a point you gets wrong the other person gets a point

the other person gets a point

the other person gets a point first two points wins Kari you’re our

first two points wins Kari you’re our

first two points wins Kari you’re our guest once you pick your first box

guest once you pick your first box

guest once you pick your first box thanks Jim you’re welcome

thanks Jim you’re welcome

thanks Jim you’re welcome [Applause]

in my box is a pumpkin with spaghetti in

in my box is a pumpkin with spaghetti in it what why are you laughing

it what why are you laughing

it what why are you laughing pumpkin with pisghetti spaghetti yeah I

pumpkin with pisghetti spaghetti yeah I

pumpkin with pisghetti spaghetti yeah I want to see if you were acting

want to see if you were acting

want to see if you were acting [Music]

you’re good you’re good here let me pick

you’re good you’re good here let me pick one one method

hmm good what’s in the box check your

hmm good what’s in the box check your box Jimmy oh well well well

in my box is an iPhone six-plus or

in my box is an iPhone six-plus or regular plus the figurine getting a

regular plus the figurine getting a

regular plus the figurine getting a tattoo from another figurine that I

tattoo from another figurine that I

tattoo from another figurine that I believed to be justin bieber’s that is

believed to be justin bieber’s that is

believed to be justin bieber’s that is what is in my box that’s a lie you got

what is in my box that’s a lie you got

what is in my box that’s a lie you got [Applause]

thank you guys so much for watching I

thank you guys so much for watching I made this video because Delta horse

made this video because Delta horse

made this video because Delta horse races asked me to so if there’s a famous

races asked me to so if there’s a famous

races asked me to so if there’s a famous entrepreneur that you want me to profile

entrepreneur that you want me to profile

entrepreneur that you want me to profile next leave it down the comments below

next leave it down the comments below

next leave it down the comments below and I’ll see what I can do I’d also love

and I’ll see what I can do I’d also love

and I’ll see what I can do I’d also love to know what did she say that had the

to know what did she say that had the

to know what did she say that had the biggest impact on you what lesson was

biggest impact on you what lesson was

biggest impact on you what lesson was most important to you and why please

most important to you and why please

most important to you and why please leave in the comments and I’m gonna join

leave in the comments and I’m gonna join

leave in the comments and I’m gonna join in the discussion I also want to give a

in the discussion I also want to give a

in the discussion I also want to give a quick shout out to Jason Fonseca and

quick shout out to Jason Fonseca and

quick shout out to Jason Fonseca and Yuki thank you guys so much for going to

Yuki thank you guys so much for going to

Yuki thank you guys so much for going to the bookstore and picking up a copy of

the bookstore and picking up a copy of

the bookstore and picking up a copy of my book your one word it really really

my book your one word it really really

my book your one word it really really really means a lot to me so thank you

really means a lot to me so thank you

really means a lot to me so thank you guys again for watching I believe in you

guys again for watching I believe in you

guys again for watching I believe in you I hope we continue to believe in

I hope we continue to believe in

I hope we continue to believe in yourself

yourself

yourself and whatever your one word is much love

and whatever your one word is much love

and whatever your one word is much love I’ll see you soon

your life is your story and the

your life is your story and the adventure ahead of you is the journey to

adventure ahead of you is the journey to

adventure ahead of you is the journey to fulfill your own purpose and potential

fulfill your own purpose and potential

fulfill your own purpose and potential so I want to share a little something

so I want to share a little something

so I want to share a little something with you about stories and about heroes

with you about stories and about heroes

with you about stories and about heroes and about how this all works it was here

and about how this all works it was here

and about how this all works it was here at GW that I first read the work of

at GW that I first read the work of

at GW that I first read the work of Joseph Campbell and what attracted me to

Joseph Campbell and what attracted me to

Joseph Campbell and what attracted me to his writing was the concept of the

his writing was the concept of the

his writing was the concept of the hero’s journey he wrote the hero’s

hero’s journey he wrote the hero’s

hero’s journey he wrote the hero’s journey always begins with the call one

journey always begins with the call one

journey always begins with the call one way or another a guide must come and say

way or another a guide must come and say

way or another a guide must come and say look you’re in Sleepy land awake come on

look you’re in Sleepy land awake come on

look you’re in Sleepy land awake come on a trip there is an aspect of your

a trip there is an aspect of your

a trip there is an aspect of your consciousness your being that’s not

consciousness your being that’s not

consciousness your being that’s not being touched and so it starts this call

being touched and so it starts this call

being touched and so it starts this call to adventure is what we call in film the

to adventure is what we call in film the

to adventure is what we call in film the inciting incident it’s an invitation out

inciting incident it’s an invitation out

inciting incident it’s an invitation out of your comfort zone and into your

of your comfort zone and into your

of your comfort zone and into your strength because by definition being a

strength because by definition being a

strength because by definition being a hero requires pushing beyond the bounds

hero requires pushing beyond the bounds

hero requires pushing beyond the bounds of what’s comfortable in 1996 in my

of what’s comfortable in 1996 in my

of what’s comfortable in 1996 in my junior year here I had to push beyond

junior year here I had to push beyond

junior year here I had to push beyond the bounds of my comfort zone the

the bounds of my comfort zone the

the bounds of my comfort zone the musical that year which as you know I

musical that year which as you know I

musical that year which as you know I was required to audition for was

was required to audition for was

was required to audition for was entitled croak the last frog it was a

entitled croak the last frog it was a

entitled croak the last frog it was a beautiful musical about frogs by GW zone

beautiful musical about frogs by GW zone

beautiful musical about frogs by GW zone professor Leslie Jacobson now I have to

professor Leslie Jacobson now I have to

professor Leslie Jacobson now I have to be honest with you it was not my

be honest with you it was not my

be honest with you it was not my lifetime dream role to play a frog in

lifetime dream role to play a frog in

lifetime dream role to play a frog in fact the thought of it terrified me

fact the thought of it terrified me

fact the thought of it terrified me scared that the role would be too

scared that the role would be too

scared that the role would be too difficult and afraid of the

difficult and afraid of the

difficult and afraid of the embarrassment that would result from my

embarrassment that would result from my

embarrassment that would result from my failed attempts I wondered if there was

failed attempts I wondered if there was

failed attempts I wondered if there was some way that I could get out of this

some way that I could get out of this

some way that I could get out of this audition this is what Campbell describes

audition this is what Campbell describes

audition this is what Campbell describes as phase 2 of the hero’s journey the

as phase 2 of the hero’s journey the

as phase 2 of the hero’s journey the refusal of the call you’ve experienced

refusal of the call you’ve experienced

refusal of the call you’ve experienced it an exciting opportunity presents

it an exciting opportunity presents

it an exciting opportunity presents itself but our fear makes us believe

itself but our fear makes us believe

itself but our fear makes us believe that we’re not capable of meeting the

that we’re not capable of meeting the

that we’re not capable of meeting the challenge there are 17 stages of the

challenge there are 17 stages of the

challenge there are 17 stages of the hero’s journey as Campbell describes it

hero’s journey as Campbell describes it

hero’s journey as Campbell describes it but don’t worry

but don’t worry

but don’t worry I’m not going to go through all of them

I’m not going to go through all of them

I’m not going to go through all of them what I will tell you is that I crossed

what I will tell you is that I crossed

what I will tell you is that I crossed the threshold into unknown territory

the threshold into unknown territory

the threshold into unknown territory meaning I showed up for my audition

meaning I showed up for my audition

meaning I showed up for my audition because I believed in the message of the

because I believed in the message of the

because I believed in the message of the production a message of love and family

production a message of love and family

production a message of love and family and Environmental Conservation I wanted

and Environmental Conservation I wanted

and Environmental Conservation I wanted to support Leslie Jacobson my brilliant

to support Leslie Jacobson my brilliant

to support Leslie Jacobson my brilliant professor and my mentor and I had to

professor and my mentor and I had to

professor and my mentor and I had to fulfill my scholarship requirements

fulfill my scholarship requirements

fulfill my scholarship requirements because as many of you probably relate

because as many of you probably relate

because as many of you probably relate to I wanted to complete my degree and

to I wanted to complete my degree and

to I wanted to complete my degree and graduate so I answered the call I pushed

graduate so I answered the call I pushed

graduate so I answered the call I pushed past my comfort zone and when I did I

past my comfort zone and when I did I

past my comfort zone and when I did I won the role so now I was in the belly

won the role so now I was in the belly

won the role so now I was in the belly of the whale

of the whale

of the whale now I had to be willing to be the lead

now I had to be willing to be the lead

now I had to be willing to be the lead frog again I was terrified this was a

frog again I was terrified this was a

frog again I was terrified this was a serious musical with important dramatic

serious musical with important dramatic

serious musical with important dramatic themes how could I commit to the role

themes how could I commit to the role

themes how could I commit to the role and bring life to the character in a way

and bring life to the character in a way

and bring life to the character in a way that made people think and feel rather

that made people think and feel rather

that made people think and feel rather than giggle and mock us so I approached

than giggle and mock us so I approached

than giggle and mock us so I approached the role as a social scientist the way

the role as a social scientist the way

the role as a social scientist the way GW taught me to I thought I’m going to

GW taught me to I thought I’m going to

GW taught me to I thought I’m going to study frogs I went to the zoo up in

study frogs I went to the zoo up in

study frogs I went to the zoo up in Woodley Park and I spent hours watching

Woodley Park and I spent hours watching

Woodley Park and I spent hours watching frogs I read about frogs

frogs I read about frogs

frogs I read about frogs I held frogs I watched frog

I held frogs I watched frog

I held frogs I watched frog documentaries I figured out ways to face

documentaries I figured out ways to face

documentaries I figured out ways to face physical eyes my performance as a frog

physical eyes my performance as a frog

physical eyes my performance as a frog without seeming to be a cartoon I faced

without seeming to be a cartoon I faced

without seeming to be a cartoon I faced my fears and I stepped out onto that

my fears and I stepped out onto that

my fears and I stepped out onto that Marvin Center stage and it became a role

Marvin Center stage and it became a role

Marvin Center stage and it became a role that transformed my thinking about how I

that transformed my thinking about how I

that transformed my thinking about how I use my body to do what I do every single

use my body to do what I do every single

use my body to do what I do every single day and more importantly to this day it

day and more importantly to this day it

day and more importantly to this day it is my father’s most favorite thing I’ve

is my father’s most favorite thing I’ve

is my father’s most favorite thing I’ve ever done

ever done

ever done I’m serious you can ask him but the

I’m serious you can ask him but the

I’m serious you can ask him but the lesson here isn’t how you too can be a

lesson here isn’t how you too can be a

lesson here isn’t how you too can be a frog the lesson is that you are sitting

frog the lesson is that you are sitting

frog the lesson is that you are sitting here today because you too learned how

here today because you too learned how

here today because you too learned how to answer the call your degree is proof

to answer the call your degree is proof

to answer the call your degree is proof that you have what it takes to take take

that you have what it takes to take take

that you have what it takes to take take the leap into the adventure of your

the leap into the adventure of your

the leap into the adventure of your unique experience you don’t earn a

unique experience you don’t earn a

unique experience you don’t earn a degree by doing and being and existing

degree by doing and being and existing

degree by doing and being and existing in the comfort zone of what you already

in the comfort zone of what you already

in the comfort zone of what you already know so whether it’s taken two years or

know so whether it’s taken two years or

know so whether it’s taken two years or seven to get today’s degree I want you

seven to get today’s degree I want you

seven to get today’s degree I want you to look back on the journey that brought

to look back on the journey that brought

to look back on the journey that brought you here

you here

you here what moments challenged you most when

what moments challenged you most when

what moments challenged you most when were you asked to step outside of your

were you asked to step outside of your

were you asked to step outside of your familiar territory in order to rise to

familiar territory in order to rise to

familiar territory in order to rise to the occasion of your potential how have

the occasion of your potential how have

the occasion of your potential how have you pushed past your fear I want you to

you pushed past your fear I want you to

you pushed past your fear I want you to remember those moments because they will

remember those moments because they will

remember those moments because they will embolden you and affirm you and remind

embolden you and affirm you and remind

embolden you and affirm you and remind you that you did this you completed this

you that you did this you completed this

you that you did this you completed this journey you answered the call and now

journey you answered the call and now

journey you answered the call and now you can continue to do so but the choice

you can continue to do so but the choice

you can continue to do so but the choice is yours

is yours

is yours when you leave here today and commence

when you leave here today and commence

when you leave here today and commence the next stage of your life you can

the next stage of your life you can

the next stage of your life you can follow someone else’s script try to make

follow someone else’s script try to make

follow someone else’s script try to make choices that will make other people

choices that will make other people

choices that will make other people happy avoid a discomfort do what is

happy avoid a discomfort do what is

happy avoid a discomfort do what is expected and copy the status quo or you

expected and copy the status quo or you

expected and copy the status quo or you can look at all that you have

can look at all that you have

can look at all that you have accomplished today and use it as fuel to

accomplished today and use it as fuel to

accomplished today and use it as fuel to venture forth and write your own story

venture forth and write your own story

venture forth and write your own story if you do amazing things will take shape

”

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