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Professor Randy Pausch – Last Lecture Mind Map

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Jan 24

Professor Randy Pausch

This is a re-post of a post I previously wrote on my private blog back in February 2008, however, it will never age in its relevance to each one of us. It has been amended as necessary to reflect its new post date in January 2010:

It has often been said, “you can not truly live life until you conquer your fear of death”.

One professor who knew exactly what that statement means was Professor Randy Pausch.

Professor Pausch gave a lecture titled “Really Achieving Your Childhood Dreams” at Carnegie-Mellon University in Pittsburgh, USA on 18 September 2007. It was part the “Last Lecture” series.

The “Last Lecture” concept is an invitation given to top academics who are asked to give a hypothetical “final talk”, i.e., “what wisdom would you try to impart to the world if you knew it was your last chance?” Professor Pausch’s “last lecture” had extra special significance.

At the age of only 45 (in Sept 2006), Professor Pausch was told that only 4% of pancreatic cancer sufferers (of which he was now diagnosed as one) lived for 5 years after their diagnosis. At the time of the “Last Lecture”, due to his deteriorating medical condition, Professor Pausch was told his odds had reduced to 3 to 6 months of good health left (at best).

Although Pausch “accepted” his imminent fate, his approach to life both before and after learning of his cancer, and the magical way he tells his story, holds some incredibly valuable lessons for all of us.

The lessons are, in my opinion, so valuable I have ‘mind mapped’ the main points of his ‘last lecture’ and share them with you here. CLICK HERE to download the 1 page PDF mind map (214 kb).

I have spent 3 hours preparing the mind map for you (including the time spent re-watching the video) and I have learnt so much more by being actively involved. For this reason I strongly recommend that you take the time to read and study the mind map after you watch the video. I believe it will be well worth your time.

The video below is 1hr 16 mins long but I suggest it is worthy of viewing in its entirety.

Grab yourself a nice cup of coffee, snuggle up with someone you love, and listen to the words of wisdom espoused by Professor Ralf Pausch (keep a box of tissues nearby as some parts are quite moving).

In summary, as Professor Pausch says, “We can not change the cards we are dealt, just how we play the hand”.

Professor Pausch passed away on 25 July 2008. His legacy will live on forever!

Tagged as: carnegie-mellon, last lecture, Life Lessons, mind map, mind mapping, mindmap, mindmapping, pancreatic cancer, randy pausch

11 Comments

11 Responses to “Professor Randy Pausch – Last Lecture Mind Map”

Marty said on January 26th, 2010 at 3:35 PM

Great post and brilliant mindmap. I’ve also re-published my own thoughts on a new blog: http://www.internoetics.com/2008/06/06/randy-pausch%e2%80%99s-last-lecture-achieving-your-childhood-dreams/
Mike Krsticevic said on January 26th, 2010 at 7:40 PM

Marty, your post on Professor Pausch is very moving and very well written. Thanks for the feedback!
Mindmap of Randy Pausch’s Last Lecture | VizWorld.com said on February 2nd, 2010 at 6:16 AM

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malcolm bellamy said on February 9th, 2010 at 6:42 AM

I write this with tears in my eyes… I sat transfixed to a wonderful human being telling me things that made me think about many of the things I have done in my life. This is certainly a talk that should be seen by the millions in the world wide web that can and should see it and I am thankful to you for your blog post and the mind map that you have made up… well done!
Mike Krsticevic said on February 9th, 2010 at 8:03 AM

Malcolm, thanks for your moving comment. It is such a pleasure for me to see that you and others have enjoyed watching the “Last Lecture” by Professor Pausch. It really was a memorable lecture from a great man.
Elliott Swierczek said on March 20th, 2010 at 7:20 AM

RIP Randy, you were an inspiration.
Sonja Yaws said on April 8th, 2010 at 1:22 AM

Hello I read a bit of your site which I found absolutely by mistake while doing a bit of online research for one of my projects. Please write lots more as it is rare that somebody has something appealing to say about this. I will be watching for more!
Amy said on April 24th, 2010 at 2:16 AM

RIP Randy, you were an inspiration.
Steven said on April 25th, 2010 at 5:32 PM

Malcolm, thanks for your moving comment. It is such a pleasure for me to see that you and others have enjoyed watching the “Last Lecture” by Professor Pausch. It really was a memorable lecture from a great man.
Emily said on June 3rd, 2010 at 3:45 AM

RIP Randy, you were an inspiration.