Key points from Mark Zuckerberg speech

  • The challenge for our generation is to create a world where anyone has a purpose
  • Purpose is that sense that we are part of something bigger than ourselves, that we are needed, that we have something better ahead to work for.
  • Purpose is what creates true happiness
  • To keep our society moving forward, we have a generational challenge — to not only create new jobs, but create a renewed sense of purpose.
  • A change in the world that seems so clear you’re sure someone else will do it. But they won’t. You will.
  • But it’s not enough to have purpose yourself. You have to create a sense of purpose for others.
  • My hope was never to build a company, but to make an impact.
  • First, let’s take on big meaningful projects.
  • Ideas don’t come out fully formed. They only become clear as you work on them. You just have to get started.
  • Facebook CEO and Harvard dropout Mark Zuckerberg, right,
  • The idea of a single eureka moment is a dangerous lie. It makes us feel inadequate since we haven’t had ours. It prevents people with seeds of good ideas from getting started.
  • It’s good to be idealistic. But be prepared to be misunderstood.
  • Anyone working on a big vision will get called crazy, even if you end up right.
  • Anyone working on a complex problem will get blamed for not fully understanding the challenge, even though it’s impossible to know everything upfront.
  • Anyone taking initiative will get criticized for moving too fast, because there’s always someone who wants to slow you down.
  • In our society, we often don’t do big things because we’re so afraid of making mistakes that we ignore all the things wrong today if we do nothing.
  • The reality is, anything we do will have issues in the future. But that can’t keep us from starting.
  • The greatest successes come from having the freedom to fail.
  • When you don’t have the freedom to take your idea and turn it into a historic enterprise, we all lose.
  • Every generation expands its definition of equality.
  • Millennials are already one of the most charitable generations in history.
  • But it’s not just about money. We can all make time to give someone a hand.
  • Let’s give everyone the freedom to pursue their purpose — not only because it’s the right thing to do, but because when more people can turn their dreams into something great, we’re all better for it.
  • Purpose doesn’t only come from work. The third way we can create a sense of purpose for everyone is by building community.
  • Progress now requires coming together not just as cities or nations, but also as a global community.
  • Whether our communities are houses or sports teams, churches or music groups, they give us that sense we are part of something bigger, that we are not alone; they give us the strength to expand our horizons.
  • That’s why it’s so striking that for decades, membership in all kinds of groups has declined as much as one-quarter. But I know we can rebuild our communities and start new ones because many of you already are.
  • “May the source of strength, who blessed the ones before us, help us *find the courage* to make our lives a blessing.”
  • I hope you find the courage to make your life a blessing.