All collegiettes™ can agree—We wish there was more time in a day. From internships to academia to extracurriculars and beyond, our to-do lists grow longer and longer with each day. Thankfully, writer, entrepreneur, and inspirational speaker Lavaille Lavette has introduced us to the 86,400 movement —a national initiative to ensure that everyone is making the most of all 86,400 seconds in a day. HC caught up with Lavaille to learn more about her new book, career path, and how students everywhere can get involved with the movement. Read on:
Her Campus:
Thank you for chatting with us! So tell us a bit more about your book and the 86,400 movement.
Lavaille Lavette:
The movement is all about renewed life and relevance. It’s all about bringing people together to make a positive difference in the world. When I talk about purpose management in the book (a term I coined), I break it into three different areas: family, career, and community service and giving back. The movement is about giving back, taking up a cause, and being a mouthpiece for a cause to help others. Whether it’s students at UCLA starting a movement for foster care or something else, it’s all about taking up social action, learning new skills, and generating new ideas to express certain views.
HC:
Wow! So what inspired you to document all of this in a book?
LL:
It all started with the number 86,400. I went to church one day and the pastor discussed how the seconds in a day are a gift. I’d always been exposed to “24/7”, but bringing it into terms of seconds was cute to me. Soon after I was driving along in a car and heard a song about the number of seconds. Then, I received an email from a
HC:
Tell us about your career path thus far.
LL:
I’ve been successful in a number of areas. I started my first business when I was six years old. I’ve had good successes but I found that when I reexamined how I used my time, I was just checking things off on a checklist. After doing some soul-searching, I decided to be more conscious of how I spend my 86,400. I made a commitment to myself: I’m going to look for more meaning to my life, the time, the days, and the seconds I’ve been given. Through soul-searching, I discovered purpose. I realized that time is limited. We all those 86,500 and what we can do with our purpose is unlimited. When I look at the time and day and add purpose, my actions have more meaning to it. When I learned how to manage my purpose, I discovered the tools to help me do that. That led me to write the book. I started redefining that and helping people to better manage that purpose.
HC:
What have the reactions been to those who have involved themselves with the movement?
LL:
Their life quality has improved—teachers, students. By infusing ten characteristics involved with purpose managements, they’ve seen such a difference. Managing purpose is about moving from thought to action with things like imagination, wisdom, thankfulness, patience, faithfulness, generosity, and courage. When I discovered these ten principles, I started to enlist others. I interviewed 20 successful people like
HC:
What is one of the most rewarding parts of your job?
LL:
Interacting with young people from college students to junior high students. I like being able to share tidbits of my experiences so that they can learn from the mistakes I’ve made. I like sharing knowledge with them and challenging them because they challenge me. I think the most interesting part is to look at the world and look at my 86,400 through the eyes of young people. In some small way, I’m helping to mentor them and help theming live a purposeful 86,400.
HC:
What advice would you give to students who emulate your professional career?
LL:
A number of things. First and foremost, be true to what it is you want out of life and are passionate about. Don’t let anyone limit you. I tell everyone that you have the same 86,400 that Oprah has, the president has. Your 86,400 are just as important as the next successful person. My advice is to always be conscious of the time that you have. Be conscious of it and live and enjoy each moment. Be dedicated to what you’re passionate about, don’t be afraid to fail, ask questions, and focus.
HC:
Incredible! So how can our readers get involved with the movement?
LL:
I want college students to know that we want them to get involved and start moving chapters at their university. The movement will give back to others and help them as well. It will give them some of the tools/skills they need to get out of college. Movement is about helping others and yourself.
Interested in getting involved with the 86,400 movement? Tell them what you’re interested in and advisors will work with you to establish a chapter at your school that will focus on any cause you’re passionate about. Then, be sure to fill HC in by leaving a comment below or tweeting us @hercampus.
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