Reflections on Success Tom Joyner

I am very excited to be part of THE BLACK COLLEGIAN Magazine's 30th anniversary issue and honored to provide any words of inspiration I can to today's college students.  Every morning when I greet our seven million listeners on the Tom Joyner Morning Show, I say, " This is the Hardest Working Man in Radio, the Fly Jock Tom Joyner..." The nickname, "the Hardest Working Man in Radio," comes partly from the fact that for eight years I had a morning show in Dallas and an afternoon show in Chicago and flew back and forth between the two cities daily.  Eventually, I had the number one shows in both markets, and a whole lot of jet lag, but actually, being the hardest working man started long before  many people knew or cared who Tom Joyner was.  So now, whenever I'm asked how I became a success in radio or what advice I have for young people aspiring to become successful at anything, my answer is always the same; two simple words: hard work.  In order to make it in this world, especially if you're an African American, you've got to keep working, in the classroom, and out.

I was never what you'd call a model student in college, but early on, I could see the big picture and realized that the sooner I began preparing myself to make it in the "real world," the better off I'd be.  It's never too soon to start meeting people, making contacts and looking for the "hook-up."  Many of the same people who gave me breaks early on are still in my life in some capacity today.  Never burn bridges.  Everyone you meet is a potential future boss or potential future employee of  yours, and you want either on your side.

No matter what your future aspirations are, there's a job out there for you in that field right now.  It might not be a "paying" job, but it's a job.  Do it. Don't choose a career based on making a lot of money.  Choose a career that allows you to do something you love doing.  Do it well and the money will come. No one loves every aspect of the job they have, but the important thing is to complete each task, whether you like it or not. Don't make excuses.  Believe me, no one wants to hear your explanation as to why the job wasn't completed. You've probably heard this all of your life, and so had I, but it's true: If you are Black and you really want to be successful, you've got to work harder, get there earlier, stay later and come back from your breaks on time!

And finally, learn from your failures.  You're going to make mistakes. We all do.  You might flunk a class, do horribly on an exam, get fired from a job...it's not the end of the world.  Figure out where you went wrong and don't make the same mistakes over and over. Now that I've given you a few tips on how to make it, I'd like for you to do me a favor and always remember to support Historically Black Colleges and Universities.  Every month, the Tom Joyner Foundation raises thousands of dollars to help kids who have run out of money at HBCUs, but the truth is, there could come a time when there are no HCBUs around for Black students to attend.  The schools need your contributions, and I'm not just talking about your money.  Become a tutor or mentor.  Help recruit students and once you graduate, consider becoming a professor at an HBCU.  Do whatever you can to keep these institutions thriving.  Do it in the name of those who came before you.  Do it in the name of those who will come after you.  Heck, do it in the name of "spades."  Just do it! Much Success to you all!

Tom Joyner is the host of the syndicated Tom Joyner Morning Radio Show.