My Tribute to Steve Jobs

Steve Jobs has been an inspiration to me ever since I saw his 2005 Stanford Commencement Address a few years ago. To this day I can say with confidence that it has been the most impactful speech I've heard in my life to date.


What I love about Steve Jobs is that you can feel that he cares. He's someone who has found his calling, has taken the punches that life has thrown at him, and came out a winner at almost every turn.


Steve Jobs has transcended business and technology and touched the hearts of millions of people around the world. Never was this more evident than with the pouring out of tributes that followed the news of his passing earlier today.


Here is what I have learned from Steve Jobs:


Independent Thinking


"You can't just ask the customers what they want and then try to give that to them. By the time you get it built, they'll want something new."

I'm pretty sure no one e-mailed Steve Jobs one day and said, "Hey mate, my laptop is no longer sufficient for my computing needs. You should invent this thing called the iPad."


Steve Jobs' anticipation of what would not only be accepted by the marketplace, but what would be an outrageous, historic success - time after time - is extraordinary.


How to Succeed Against the Odds 


Steve Jobs was adopted out of wedlock. His adoptive father was reportedly a working-class machinist. 


At the age of 30, he got fired from Apple - the company he founded. He then famously went into the most creative phase of his life. He returned to the helm at Apple and then came the iPod, iTunes, iPhone, iPad, and the rest is history.


In 2004, he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, a cancer he was told was incurable, and that he would have no longer than 3-6 months to live. Think about the Apple products you've experienced and loved in the past 7 years. Now think about how Steve Jobs led and created all of this innovation, wonder and excitement - after being diagnosed with terminal cancer. 


What's your excuse?


Trust in something.


"Your gut,  destiny, life, karma, whatever. Because believing that the dots will connect down the road, will give you the confidence to follow your heart - even when it leads you off the well-worn path - and that will make all the difference."


Steve Jobs' life demonstrates that faith in a positive outcome - regardless of circumstances - is crucial to success. Life will beat you up sometimes. When that happens you need to get up, get that dirt off your shoulder, and go again.


Live your life!


"You've got to find what you love. Your work is going to fill a large part of your life - and the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work - and the only way to do great work is to love what you do. 


If you haven't found it yet - keep looking - AND DON'T SETTLE.


Your time is limited, so don't waste it living someone else's life."


Steve Jobs, Rest in Peace.

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