No one knows how long these changes are going to be with us.

We have all had our worlds rocked at the same time.

He listed three things that are certain for everyone during the ongoing pandemic. 'Wherever you are in your life, you cannot assume you have another five or 10 years to get it done.'

'Of all the things that 2020 taught all of us, the one thing that is undeniable is that none of us know how much time we have left on the clock,' Gardner said. He spends as much time as possible reading. He prays every day and limits his social media and time watching television. He starts each morning the same way - with a cup of coffee and a conversation with a photo of his mom, who passed more than two decades ago. 'That's what makes the difference in who signs the front of the check and who signs the back.' 'The people you're competing with are somewhere grinding. They're practicing, networking, rehearsing and researching,' he said. They may not be in their school or even this country, he continued. 'Because of globalization and technology, the people that our students are now competing with are not in their classrooms.'

'My position will always be yes, but it has changed,' said Gardner. More: On 'The Pursuit of Happyness': Chris Gardner opens up about survival, success

Gardner shared with the audience that his favorite question to get from students when speaking at schools is, 'is the American dream still possible?' Realizing dreams was a common thread for the author whose latest book is titled 'Permission to Dream.'

Christopher the pursuit of happyness