MEXICO — John Jenkins brought his upbeat humor and wisdom to several hundred Mountain Valley High School students and eighth-graders from Mountain Valley Middle School on Thursday afternoon.

Wearing a tie printed with yellow school buses, Jenkins told students that good enough is never good enough and everyone should focus on a goal.

“Do everything you can do in school. Success must be able to give in order to get to your goal,” he said.

High school Principal Matt Gilbert said at the start of the school year that he was looking for a speaker who could motivate students. Together with the Falcon Forum, a group of teachers and principals who gather occasionally to discuss current educational themes, they chose Jenkins.

Jenkins said he started his motivational speaking career in the Rumford/Mexico area many years ago.

“I feel like I’m coming home,” said the former Lewiston and Auburn mayor, gubernatorial candidate. He travels all over the nation to bring his message of creating an “attitude for gratitude” and to give advice on how to succeed.

High school English teacher John Bell helped bring Jenkins to RSU 10.

Jenkins said using respect, reflection and responsibility are keys to reaching a goal.

“You must have respect for yourself, respect for others, and respect from others. If you don’t respect yourself, who will respect you?” he asked.

“You are who you think you are,” he said. “We are judged by the company we keep and the company we keep away.”

As he led students through respect and reflection activities, he stressed the importance of responsibility.

“This is the ability to respond, to keep promises. You are your word. At some point, you have to own yourself and your word. When words are used carelessly, words can destroy,” he said.

Restraint is also an important part of success, he said..

“The difference between a flood and a river is the banks. You can say anything, but should you?” Jenkins asked.

He also stressed the importance of how a person sees his or her self.

“You can bring about images of success, or images of failure. They work the same way. How you think can make all the difference in the world,” he said. Even huge goals or life changes can be made if small changes steadily take place.

“Inch by inch is a cinch,” he said.

He also said people get what they accept. Or what they settle for.

“Don’t settle,” he said. “Unfortunately, some of you will, but your most important decision is the next one. Make that choice to not settle in your life. Opportunity is a river that is running right by your door,” he said.

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