The Golden Rule to success

Sharon McLeay

Times Contributor 

 

Many inspirational speakers have encouraged teens to work toward their dreams, but Ian Hill is one who has overcome many of the same obstacles that teens struggle with in daily life.

In his address to the Strathmore High School (SHS) leadership class on Oct. 8, Hill characterized himself as just a regular guy, but one who learned to overcome challenges and find keys to reaching goals. 

“When I was your age I couldn’t read. When I was your age I was sitting in his (vice principal’s) office. I was in a bunch of different homes and ate out of a garbage can,” said Hill. “I wouldn’t be in a leadership class, I would be outside. So I always wondered, when they made me sit down and listen to some guy that came from outside, what’s this guy’s story, what’s his program, what’s his deal? 

“I want to show you how to get from nowhere, to somewhere.”

Hill is president of the board of directors and volunteer CEO with Let Them Be Kids, an all volunteer, non-profit, community based organization that acts as a catalyst for the building of playgrounds, skate parks and fitness parks across Canada and beyond. Since 2008, Let Them Be Kids has supported over 160 projects across Canada.

In his presentation at SHS, Hill said he wants students to identify where they are today, and identify their dream for the future. In the gap between, he said, lay the challenges to overcome. 

“You can’t go on a journey until you think of what that journey may hold for you.”

Hill outlined some of the challenges students today face, including negative attitudes and fears. Societal or cultural structures, past failures, and fears of being laughed at or criticized can also become impediments, and Hill said people become so protective against them that they no longer reach for their dreams.

“My history is not my destiny,” said Hill, about his own lessons learned.

He suggests accepting limitations and dismissing worries over things that can’t be controlled. He said people have a choice on how they think. By finding alternative paths and using positive thinking, space opens to new forward paths. Finally, he said the key to bridge challenges is belief in one’s self. 

“It sounds simplistic, but it is not,” said Hill. “We all have the capacity to see life getting better than it was the day before.”

Hill illustrated his point by saying that out of 70 billion people who have lived on Earth, no one has the same DNA or fingerprint, a fact that makes each individual priceless and unique. Each person offers something no one else can offer, leaving a special imprint on the world. If we believe that we are special and treat ourselves as special, Hill said others will believe it as well. 

Hill’s formula for success is to combine belief, optimism and respect, with energy and commitment. He compared each second of the day to a $1 coin. Each day, there is $86,000 to invest. He asked students if they would spend it lying on the couch playing video games, or would they put it towards action plans to their dreams and goals? 

Hill said the philosophy has worked in his own life — he currently directs multi-million dollar companies and devotes his life to improving the planet, through public speaking and volunteer efforts.

Hill said he has no doubt that when a person shares their support and talent with others, not expecting any reciprocal payment, benefits abound. It opens doors when one least expects them to open. He encouraged the students to reach out to others if they were struggling.

 “Today I am fortunate; I have more than I could ever hope to have, primarily because of adults like those people (teachers) right there. Some teacher, some coach, some principal believed in me and saw the potential in my life,” said Hill. “These people are here because they love you and want to see you do something great with your life. The day things turned around in my life was when I realized their role was to help make things better.” 

Hill supports the Becoming a Community Leader courses offered free through Bow Valley College, and he encouraged students to sign up if they were ready to be leaders. Becoming a Community Leader is a 15 week online program for students and adults alike that can be done at one’s own pace. It begins on Oct. 18. For more information or to register, contact  Teri K. McKinnon, education representative with Bow Valley College, Strathmore campus, at 403-462-2550.