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On Finding Your Passion

“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. Don’t settle. As with all matters of the heart, you’ll know when you find it.”

This quote is from a 2005 Stanford University commencement speech and emphasizes the importance of loving what you do. Jobs believed deeply in the value of finding work you’re passionate about. We all spend huge portions of our lives working, so feeling engaged and fulfilled by our jobs provides immense satisfaction. Rather than settling for work that doesn’t excite you, keep exploring new paths until you discover work that you find genuinely meaningful and inspiring. That passion will drive you to do your best work.

On Embracing Change

“Innovation distinguishes between a leader and a follower.”

This simple yet profound quote, said during an interview in 2000, speaks to Jobs’ belief in the importance of innovation. As technology rapidly evolves, the companies and individuals that thrive are those unafraid of change. Rather than resisting new developments, truly forward-thinking leaders embrace and integrate innovative ideas. Jobs recognized that stagnation leads to obsolescence, so he continually pushed Apple to take bold risks and disrupt the status quo.

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On the Importance of Focus

“People think focus means saying yes to the thing you’ve got to focus on. But that’s not what it means at all. It means saying no to the hundred other good ideas that there are. You have to pick carefully.”

Jobs spoke these words in 2008, stressing that saying yes to everything dilutes your efforts. The ability to hone in on a vision and filter out distracting ideas is key. With immense focus, Jobs propelled Apple to revolutionize just a handful of products in transformative ways. From the Mac to the iPod to the iPhone, he understood deeply that limiting the playing field provides the opportunity to strive for perfection. Saying no to good ideas opens the door for great ideas to flourish.

On Connecting the Dots Looking Back

“You can’t connect the dots looking forward; you can only connect them looking backwards. So you have to trust that the dots will somehow connect in your future. You have to trust in something – your gut, destiny, life, karma, whatever. This approach has never let me down, and it has made all the difference in my life.”

Jobs shared this perspective during a poignant 2005 commencement speech at Stanford. He often made decisions that seemed puzzling in the moment but later proved prescient. This quote speaks to how our lives can take unpredictable, winding paths that only make sense when looking in the rearview mirror. Rather than attempting to plot out each turn ahead of time, have faith that the individual dots along the way will connect into something meaningful when glimpsed in retrospect. Trust your instincts and don’t be afraid to make unexpected choices.

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On Teamwork

“Great things in business are never done by one person, they’re done by a team of people.”

Though Jobs is an iconoclastic figure, this quote – said in an interview in 2006 – acknowledges that even visionaries like himself rely on teams. Apple’s revolutionary innovations over the decades resulted from staff-wide collaboration. Jobs recognized that synergies emerge when individuals build on one another’s ideas and skills. Foster a company culture that values team spirit, open communication, and employees empowering one another. Understand the power of leveraging ideas, talents, and passion from every level.

On Perseverance

“I’m convinced that about half of what separates successful entrepreneurs from the non-successful ones is pure perseverance.”

Spoken in an interview in 1995, these words call attention to perseverance as a defining trait of success. Innovating and managing a business inevitably entails roadblocks and setbacks. Vision without determination and grit is not enough. According to Jobs, perseverance accounts for half of what separates those who achieve great feats in business from those who don’t. Maintaining tireless focus and pushing through even the most daunting obstacles can lead to triumphing in the end.

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On Design

“Design is not just what it looks like and feels like. Design is how it works.”

This insight into Jobs’ design philosophy for Apple came during an interview in 2003. For him, outstanding design was not surface-level aesthetics. Truly elegant design reaches deeper to encapsulate the entire user experience.Jobs obsessively focused on crafting devices that were clean, simple, and enjoyable to interact with. Every detail mattered. This holistic, user-centric approach to design is a huge part of what distinguished Apple under his leadership. Place design at the core of your company, considering not just appearances but also how your products feel, respond, and improve life.

On Life’s Journeys

“Remembering that I’ll be dead soon is the most important tool I’ve ever encountered to help me make the big choices in life.”

In his memorable 2005 Stanford commencement speech, Jobs shared this profound thought on keeping perspective. Recognizing life’s impermanence and living each day like it could be your last helps prioritize what matters most. Jobs poignantly reflected on facing death during his battle with cancer. The fragility of life prompted him to ensure he made meaningful choices about how he spent his time and energy. Ask yourself how you want to look back on your life as your days become more limited. Keep your eyes on the horizon and make bold choices driven by what is most important.

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Steve Jobs left an indelible mark on the world with his ingenious vision and life-changing innovations. He shared wisdom over the years that not only provided insight into his success but also offered universal truths and inspiration. Put these powerful quotes by Jobs to use in your own life and business for inspiration to follow your passions, embrace innovation, focus your efforts, and persevere. Let his words spark you to live life to the fullest and leave your unique dent in the universe.