MONROE - State Supreme Court Judge Michael Gableman made a campaign promise to a high school teacher in March. If he won the election to become a justice on the state's highest court, he would come to South Wayne to talk to Tony Petitjean's high school social studies class.
Gableman made good on that promise Friday, when he came to the Black Hawk High School to address the high school assembly.
Gableman called his visit to the school a "command performance" for the students, given that they didn't make the request for him to come, but had to listen to him anyway.
But he had no problem insisting students pay attention to what he had to say. That may be because he was a school teacher for two years before going into law, but it was also because he wanted to increase the opportunity and possibilities for their own success, he said.
Gableman said the visit was a priority.
"I've observed over the years, most people in your age group don't understand and don't appreciate what enormous power they have," he said.
Gableman became a State Supreme Court judge at age 41. His speech on what makes people successful was short and serious, as was the theme of his speech.
"You'll be amazed how fast the next 20 years of your life will go," he said.
Success is different for everyone, but regardless of their definition, Gableman said every success was the culmination of the habits of a lifetime.
"Success is the attainment or achievement of a goal or combination of goals that allows for the maximum individual potential for good," he said. And what is good is lasting and gives a sense of pride.
Gableman listed three hallmarks of successful people: a sense of gratitude, hard work and persistence at achieving a set goal.
Gratitude includes "a recognition of the fact that there is a god, the divine author of all things in life," he said.
"I know that may be inappropriate to say," he said, but added that the statement was based on his personal observations.
Gableman also encouraged the students to find a goal worthy of themselves.
"If you find something you love to do, you'll find yourself putting effort and time into it - which the rest of the world calls work - but you won't because you enjoy it," he said.
Persistence and fortitude to accomplish a goal would bring help to those who are reaching for their goals.
"When the rest of the world sees you working hard, you'd be amazed at the number of people and number of forces in the universe that will come to help you achieve your goals," Gableman said.
The "steps" to success are not many, but Gableman emphasized the element of time for everyone in accomplishing goals.
No one is an overnight success; they just came to the attention of the rest of the world after years of work, he told the students.
"Hours come in the form of 24 hours each day," he said, and it is the goal to spend each passing moment, not for happiness or satisfaction for the next five minutes, but in the interest of the next five years, or 20 years.
The good news, he said, is that no matter what you've done or haven't done, "each of you has within you the ability to chose now. The past is not as important as now and the future."
Before he left, Gableman made another promise to the students.
"If you ever find yourself coming to Madison, at a time when court is in session, call ahead and tell them you are a student of Black Hawk schools, and I'll meet and talk with you. It may not be a long meeting, but I'll be there."
Gableman made good on that promise Friday, when he came to the Black Hawk High School to address the high school assembly.
Gableman called his visit to the school a "command performance" for the students, given that they didn't make the request for him to come, but had to listen to him anyway.
But he had no problem insisting students pay attention to what he had to say. That may be because he was a school teacher for two years before going into law, but it was also because he wanted to increase the opportunity and possibilities for their own success, he said.
Gableman said the visit was a priority.
"I've observed over the years, most people in your age group don't understand and don't appreciate what enormous power they have," he said.
Gableman became a State Supreme Court judge at age 41. His speech on what makes people successful was short and serious, as was the theme of his speech.
"You'll be amazed how fast the next 20 years of your life will go," he said.
Success is different for everyone, but regardless of their definition, Gableman said every success was the culmination of the habits of a lifetime.
"Success is the attainment or achievement of a goal or combination of goals that allows for the maximum individual potential for good," he said. And what is good is lasting and gives a sense of pride.
Gableman listed three hallmarks of successful people: a sense of gratitude, hard work and persistence at achieving a set goal.
Gratitude includes "a recognition of the fact that there is a god, the divine author of all things in life," he said.
"I know that may be inappropriate to say," he said, but added that the statement was based on his personal observations.
Gableman also encouraged the students to find a goal worthy of themselves.
"If you find something you love to do, you'll find yourself putting effort and time into it - which the rest of the world calls work - but you won't because you enjoy it," he said.
Persistence and fortitude to accomplish a goal would bring help to those who are reaching for their goals.
"When the rest of the world sees you working hard, you'd be amazed at the number of people and number of forces in the universe that will come to help you achieve your goals," Gableman said.
The "steps" to success are not many, but Gableman emphasized the element of time for everyone in accomplishing goals.
No one is an overnight success; they just came to the attention of the rest of the world after years of work, he told the students.
"Hours come in the form of 24 hours each day," he said, and it is the goal to spend each passing moment, not for happiness or satisfaction for the next five minutes, but in the interest of the next five years, or 20 years.
The good news, he said, is that no matter what you've done or haven't done, "each of you has within you the ability to chose now. The past is not as important as now and the future."
Before he left, Gableman made another promise to the students.
"If you ever find yourself coming to Madison, at a time when court is in session, call ahead and tell them you are a student of Black Hawk schools, and I'll meet and talk with you. It may not be a long meeting, but I'll be there."