10 Golden Lessons from Steve Jobs
Sep 13 2014
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I think we’re having fun. I think our customers really like our products. And we’re always trying to do better.
- Steve Jobs
Now read the Golden Lessons
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His
accomplishments and character helped define a generation and change the
world. He is co-founder of the fairytale company we now know as Apple
Computers. And he is the visionary of the personal computers world that
led the entire computer hardware and software industry to restructure
itself.
This
man with boundless energy and charisma is also a master of hype,
hyperbole and the catchy phrase. And even when he’s trying to talk
normally, brilliant verbiage comes tumbling out.
Here’s a selection of some of the most insanely great things he said, golden lessons to help you succeed in life, Jobs-style:
1. Steve Jobs said: Innovation distinguishes between a leader and a follower.
Innovation
has no limits. The only limit is your imagination. It’s time for you to
begin thinking out of the box. If you are involved in a growing
industry, think of ways to become more efficient; more customer
friendly; and easier to do business with. If you are involved in a
shrinking industry – get out of it quick and change before you become
obsolete; out of work; or out of business. And remember that
procrastination is not an option here. Start innovating now!
2. Steve Jobs said: Be a yardstick of quality. Some people aren’t used to an environment where excellence is expected.”
There
is no shortcut to excellence. You will have to make the commitment to
make excellence your priority. Use your talents, abilities, and skills
in the best way possible and get ahead of others by giving that little
extra. Live by a higher standard and pay attention to the details that
really do make the difference. Excellence is not difficult – simply
decide right now to give it your best shot – and you will be amazed with
what life gives you back.
3. Steve Jobs said: “The only way to do great work is to love what you do. If you haven’t found it yet, keep looking. Don’t settle. As with all matters of the heart, you’ll know when you find it.”
I’ve
got it down to four words: “Do what you love.” Seek out an occupation
that gives you a sense of meaning, direction and satisfaction in life.
Having a sense of purpose and striving towards goals gives life meaning,
direction and satisfaction. It not only contributes to health and
longevity, but also makes you feel better in difficult times. Do you
jump out of bed on Monday mornings and look forward to the work week? If
the answer is ‘no’ keep looking, you’ll know when you find it.
4. Steve Jobs said: “You know, we don’t grow most of the food we eat. We wear clothes other people make. We speak a language that other people developed. We use a mathematics that other people evolved… I mean, we’re constantly taking things. It’s a wonderful, ecstatic feeling to create something that puts it back in the pool of human experience and knowledge.”
Live
in a way that is ethically responsible. Try to make a difference in
this world and contribute to the higher good. You’ll find it gives more
meaning to your life and it’s a great antidote to boredom. There is
always so much to be done. And talk to others about what you are doing.
Don’t preach or be self-righteous, or fanatical about it, that just puts
people off, but at the same time, don’t be shy about setting an
example, and use opportunities that arise to let others know what you
are doing.
5. Steve Jobs said: “There’s a phrase in Buddhism, ‘Beginner’s mind.’ It’s wonderful to have a beginner’s mind.”
It
is the kind of mind that can see things as they are, which step by step
and in a flash can realize the original nature of everything.
Beginner’s mind is Zen practice in action. It is the mind that is
innocent of preconceptions and expectations, judgments and prejudices.
Think of beginner’s mind as the mind that faces life like a small child,
full of curiosity and wonder and amazement.
6. Steve Jobs said: “We think basically you watch television to turn your brain off, and you work on your computer when you want to turn your brain on.”
Reams
of academic studies over the decades have amply confirmed television’s
pernicious mental and moral influences. And most TV watchers know that
their habit is mind-numbing and wasteful, but still spend most of their
time in front of that box. So turn your TV off and save some brain
cells. But be cautious, you can turn your brain off by using a computer
also. Try and have an intelligent conversation with someone who plays
first person shooters for 8 hours a day. Or auto race games, or
role-playing games.
7. Steve Jobs said: “I’m the only person I know that’s lost a quarter of a billion dollars in one year…. It’s very character-building.”
Don’t
equate making mistakes with being a mistake. There is no such thing as a
successful person who has not failed or made mistakes, there are
successful people who made mistakes and changed their lives or
performance in response to them, and so got it right the next time. They
viewed mistakes as warnings rather than signs of hopeless inadequacy.
Never making a mistake means never living life to the full.
8. Steve Jobs said: “I would trade all of my technology for an afternoon with Socrates.”
Over
the last decade, numerous books featuring lessons from historical
figures have appeared on the shelves of bookstores around the world. And
Socrates stands with Leonardo da Vinci, Nicholas Copernicus, Charles
Darwin and Albert Einstein as a beacon of inspiration for independent
thinkers. But he came first. Cicero said of Socrates that, “He called
philosophy down from the skies and into the lives of men.” So use
Socrates’ principles in your life, your work, your learning, and your
relationships. It’s not about Socrates, it’s really about you, and how
you can bring more truth, beauty and goodness into your life everyday.
9. Steve Jobs said: “We’re here to put a dent in the universe. Otherwise why else even be here?”
Did
you know that you have big things to accomplish in life? And did you
know that those big things are getting rather dusty while you pour
yourself another cup of coffee, and decide to mull things over rather
than do them? We were all born with a gift to give in life, one which
informs all of our desires, interests, passions and curiosities. This
gift is, in fact, our purpose. And you don’t need permission to decide
your own purpose. No boss, teacher, parent, priest or other authority
can decide this for you. Just find that unique purpose.
10. Steve Jobs said: “Your time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life. Don’t be trapped by dogma – which is living with the results of other people’s thinking. Don’t let the noise of other’s opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary.”
Are
you tired of living someone else’s dream? No doubt, its your life and
you have every right to spend it in your own individual way without any
hurdles or barriers from others. Give yourself a chance to nurture your
creative qualities in a fear-free and pressure-free climate. Live a life
that YOU choose and be your own boss.
Each
lesson might be difficult to integrate into your life at first, but if
you ease your way into each lesson, one at a time, you’ll notice an
immediate improvement in your overall performance. So go ahead, give
them a try.