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The Wisdom of Steve Jobs

8/29/2012

3 Comments

 
Finishing up a few thoughts from the Academy of Management meeting in Boston in early August. The session on Steve Jobs, which I talked about in an earlier blog, was excellent. Julia Richardson of York University and Michael Arthur of Suffolk, talked about career lessons in Steve Jobs's commencement address at Stanford in 2005. Here are the text and video of the address.  And here I summarize the lessons from the wisdom of Steve Jobs with a few of my thoughts.

Lesson One: "You can't connect the dots looking forward; you can only connect them looking backwards." Jobs described how a calligraphy class he just happened to take at Reed College, after he had dropped out, influenced the design of the Mac. You never know how your experiences and knowledge you learn today are going to shape events in your future. In my opinion this underscores the value of life long learning and an education grounded in the liberal arts and sciences. It also underscores the importance of relationships and how one comes at the world. You never know whom you will meet again and under what circumstances. "It's a small world after all." Every experience holds within it the possibility for growth. 

Lesson Two: "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 think the key is the last sentence. True, pursue what you love, pursue what you enjoy, and let the rest follow. And it probably will -- but not always. Jobs talks about being fired from Apple but the real lesson is how he gave it meaning, embraced the "lightness of being a beginner." Jobs knew what it is like to be downsized but he continued to pursue things he loved and the rest is history. Even in positions that may not be the perfect person-job match we can find tasks, projects, activities that allow us to have moments of satisfaction, even great satisfaction. Celebrate those moments.

Lesson Three: "Live each day as if it were your last" -- because one day it will be. Jobs discussed death and the finality of time. Make each day count. As one who has already been within hours of his last breath, I can relate. Jobs said it so well:  

"Your time is limited, so don't waste it living someone else's life. . . Don't let the noise of others' 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."

I would add, hug those you love. You never know when it might be the last one. 



3 Comments
Ezequiel link
9/3/2012 04:32:10 am

This is a great posting. While I am very familiar with this video, each time I watch it, it provokes a new reaction in my mind. It gives me that sort of adrenaline rush and motivation I need.

Regarding the last comment, about life, and "don't be living some one's else life", how would you feel about working for others, and work hard to pursuing someone's else dream?

It looks like when you work in a company, you are working to help pursue someone else's dream. In that case, probably the shareholders, or founder of the corporation.

So, since the majority of individuals do work for someone else, being a large or small entity, how do we let our selves focus on what we love, and to live our our dream?

I guess the subject of the matter is a bit profound, and while working for someone else, you can still love what you do. However, it gives sort of a reality check, between being realistic about what you love, and what you want.

Probably entrepreneurs are the only ones that truly do something they like, as they are inventing their own path.

And some employees of corporations that they feel identified, and share the same values.

I hope that it makes sense what I am trying to say, maybe its a bit confusing.

Again, Great great blog article! Thank You!

Reply
John B.
9/3/2012 04:57:30 am

Ezequiel, thanks! I agree. Finding a perfect person-job match is tough, even for many entrepreneurs. As a professor, I feel very fortunate to be doing what I love. But I have known professors at other institutions who were burned out at 40. Then what?

But I do think Jobs's premises were good. Pursue what you love. It may be that the joy is in the pursuit. But of course there are going to be times that the reality is the paycheck. Ezequiel, I think I will blog more about that. Thank you for the idea.

Reply
Ezequiel link
9/3/2012 07:51:43 am

Thats exactly right... right now, with the pressure of the paycheck on, its sometimes very hard to follow what you love. However, there are many good examples of people out there that actually made it.
I am personally working to be one of them, and I am sure there are many more like me out there.

I look forward for your future postings and thanks again!

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