Jamie Kern Lima

The pain of failure is temporary, but the regret of giving up lasts forever. And every no you hear is simply evidence that you're brave enough to be in the game, that your dream is worth failing for, your purpose is worth falling for, and your calling is worth fighting for. Failure doesn't disqualify you. Failure actually qualifies you for greatness when you dare to go for it.

The pain of failure is temporary, but the regret of giving up lasts forever. And every no you hear is simply evidence that you're brave enough to be in the game, that your dream is worth failing for, your purpose is worth falling for, and your calling is worth fighting for. Failure doesn't disqualify you. Failure actually qualifies you for greatness when you dare to go for it.

Oh, and remember the head of QVC Beauty, Alan Burke, who said, you're not the right fit for QVC or for our customers? Well, shortly after we launched onto QVC, he became one of my greatest mentors and dearest friends, and he still is to this day. He had been there for decades, and shortly after we launched on QVC, he retired. And then we hired him in a paid position on our advisory board.

Oh, and remember the head of QVC Beauty, Alan Burke, who said, you're not the right fit for QVC or for our customers? Well, shortly after we launched onto QVC, he became one of my greatest mentors and dearest friends, and he still is to this day. He had been there for decades, and shortly after we launched on QVC, he retired. And then we hired him in a paid position on our advisory board.

So the guy that rejected me was now working for me, right? Like, no one... I don't know who needs to hear this today, but no one can tell you you are not the right fit. And my hope and my prayer is that you never tell yourself that. Because here's what I know for sure. When you dare to believe in the power of your dreams, people might underestimate you.

So the guy that rejected me was now working for me, right? Like, no one... I don't know who needs to hear this today, but no one can tell you you are not the right fit. And my hope and my prayer is that you never tell yourself that. Because here's what I know for sure. When you dare to believe in the power of your dreams, people might underestimate you.

They might say, you don't have what it takes. They might even call you unqualified. But one day, they'll call you genius. People might doubt you or even call you hurtful names behind your back. And then one day, they're calling you for advice.

They might say, you don't have what it takes. They might even call you unqualified. But one day, they'll call you genius. People might doubt you or even call you hurtful names behind your back. And then one day, they're calling you for advice.

They might say, you don't come from the right family, your parents didn't go to college, you don't pray the right way, you're too tall, you're too short, you're too young, you're too old, your body's not right, your cheeks are too red. Then one day, they're bragging to people how they met you. They might call you rejected, and then one day, they just might end up calling you boss.

They might say, you don't come from the right family, your parents didn't go to college, you don't pray the right way, you're too tall, you're too short, you're too young, you're too old, your body's not right, your cheeks are too red. Then one day, they're bragging to people how they met you. They might call you rejected, and then one day, they just might end up calling you boss.

And let me get really, really real today, because I'm a coug, and we keep it real. They might call you, hey, waitress, hurry up, man. I need my bill, while you're busting your butt, filled with self-doubt, trying to pay your WSU tuition.

And let me get really, really real today, because I'm a coug, and we keep it real. They might call you, hey, waitress, hurry up, man. I need my bill, while you're busting your butt, filled with self-doubt, trying to pay your WSU tuition.

Then one day, they call you commencement speaker on WSU's stage in a stadium filled with the most diverse and powerful class of first-generation students in WSU's history. No one can tell you your dreams are too big. Turn to your neighbor sitting next to you and say, I dare you to dream big. turn to the neighbor on your other side and say, you've got this.

Then one day, they call you commencement speaker on WSU's stage in a stadium filled with the most diverse and powerful class of first-generation students in WSU's history. No one can tell you your dreams are too big. Turn to your neighbor sitting next to you and say, I dare you to dream big. turn to the neighbor on your other side and say, you've got this.

Lastly, it is so important to dare to be first even when it feels lonely. When you dare to be who you truly are, when you dare to do things authentically to you, by definition, they've never been done before. Because there's only one of you in the entire universe. So when you dare to trust yourself and do it the way only you can, you're first. You're the first ever only you.

Lastly, it is so important to dare to be first even when it feels lonely. When you dare to be who you truly are, when you dare to do things authentically to you, by definition, they've never been done before. Because there's only one of you in the entire universe. So when you dare to trust yourself and do it the way only you can, you're first. You're the first ever only you.

So do not be surprised if not everyone gets it or gets you. Because there's never been a you before. And I promise you that the things that maybe others think are odd or quirky or wrong with you are actually the things that are most right with you. If I had listened every time someone told me to change what I was doing to succeed, there is no chance I'd be here talking with you today.

So do not be surprised if not everyone gets it or gets you. Because there's never been a you before. And I promise you that the things that maybe others think are odd or quirky or wrong with you are actually the things that are most right with you. If I had listened every time someone told me to change what I was doing to succeed, there is no chance I'd be here talking with you today.

And when you share an idea, I want you to remember this, when you share an idea that's never been done before, people will often doubt that it's going to work. That's how it so often feels when you're first. And here's why this matters. If you're willing to be first, to be brave enough to be misunderstood for a while, you can change everything.

And when you share an idea, I want you to remember this, when you share an idea that's never been done before, people will often doubt that it's going to work. That's how it so often feels when you're first. And here's why this matters. If you're willing to be first, to be brave enough to be misunderstood for a while, you can change everything.