Assume the Worst: The Graduation Speech You’ll Never Hear by Carl Hiaasen

Good morning family, friends, and fellow graduates!

It is a pleasure to be here, today, at this monumental event, in which many of you have worked incredibly hard to get to this day. You should be incredibly proud of your accomplishments.

However, amid the excitement, it is important that I address a very serious subject: assuming the worst.

"Assume the Worst" is the title of Carl Hiaasen's 2019 graduation speech, which emphasizes the idea that life is unpredictable and failure should not be feared. Hiaasen challenges graduates to think critically about their future and to embrace uncertainty.

Hiaasen begins his speech by noting that we live in a world of uncertainty, and that predicting the future is impossible. In this uncertain environment, it is important to have resilience and to be prepared to face challenges. As Hiaasen notes, “Uncertainty is the best teacher in life; if you’re not prepared to fail, you’re not prepared to succeed.”

Hiaasen encourages graduates to take risks, but to not “assume that there’s a better future ahead.” He believes that “we must assume the worst in order to plan and prepare for it.” By identifying potential risks, individuals can determine the best ways to either avoid or overcome those risks.

Hiaasen also warns graduates to not become complacent, especially when it comes to their career. He believes that “being flexible and adaptable is the key to success,” and that individuals who are comfortable with change and failure are the ones who will ultimately succeed.

He further encourages graduates to seek out mentors and to take advantage of their networks, as these are invaluable resources for obtaining knowledge and advice. Additionally, Hiaasen suggests that graduates think outside the box and be open to non-traditional career paths.

Finally, Hiaasen emphasizes the importance of never giving up. He reminds the graduates that they have the strength to succeed, and that they should have faith in their abilities. He urges them to take control of their own destinies and to pursue what they love.

This graduation speech by Carl Hiaasen is an inspiring reminder to never give up and to be prepared to face the obstacles that life throws at us. By embracing failure and being willing to take risks, we can achieve success.

Congratulations to all the graduates, and thank you for giving me the opportunity to share my message today.