One of Elise Mitchell’s favorite hobbies is riding her motorcycle, but not simply because of the thrill that it brings her. As she learned to ride, she realized that riding a motorcycle has many parallels with being successful in life, and she imparted some of those lessons to Lipscomb students in Allen Arena on Tuesday at The Gathering.
Mitchell is a prominent figure in the world of entrepreneurship. She is also CEO of Mitchell Communications Group, an award-winning strategic communications firm. Her company has been one of the top 10 fastest-growing firms globally and named a two-time agency-of-the-year winner by PRWeek. Individually, she has received numerous awards, including being named PRWeek Agency Public Relations Professional of the Year and a Top 50 Power Player in PR.
Mitchell recently published a book titled ‘Leading Through the Turn: How a Journey Mindset can help Leaders find Success and Significance.’ Her speech was short but rich with wisdom about how students can find success while thoroughly enjoying life’s adventures.
Mitchell parallels a ride on a motorcycle and real life by saying that we must stay focused and simultaneously soak up everything that this world has to offer.
“We always move towards a destination, but I believe everyone was meant to be an explorer,” Mitchell said. “We need to always be looking where we want to go, while enjoying the ride at the same time.”
She urged students to eliminate anxiety about the unknown by trusting God and His plan. Mitchell recounted how fearful she was as a soon-to-be graduate when it came time for her to get a job, but God prompted her with Proverbs 3:6, which says, “In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.” Sure enough, Mitchell got a call from an employer two weeks after graduating and has never looked back.
Mitchell also told those in attendance that people are constantly required to master the maneuvers of life, similar to riding a motorcycle.
“It’s OK to not know things, but you must figure things out as you go,” Mitchell said. “Your learning is just beginning when you graduate college. Strive to be a lifelong learner.”
She stressed the importance of daring to be yourself in a world that is growing less authentic every day, saying, “You must be authentically you and do what sometimes seems counter-intuitive.”
Mitchell’s final metaphor was a call for students make the journey as important as the destination. The highway of life has many twists and turns, but making the time to invest in ourselves and other people as we pursue our dreams will ensure that we have an enjoyable ride.
“If you love what you do, you will never work a day in your life,” Mitchell said. “It’s OK to have ambition, but make the journey just as important as the destination.”
Mitchell was a passionate speaker with wisdom and lessons that could be applied to every walk of life. You can buy her new book, Leading Through the Turn, on Amazon and other online sources.
Photo by Anna Rogers