Jobs, 100 No's, and Dot Connection
Steve Jobs passed away two days ago. Since his death, millions of people all over the world have reflected on the influence of this one man's life. Every single person on this earth-- whether a PC person or Apple aficionado or total computer illiterate-- has been touched by his accomplishments in some way.
Surely, the power which fueled the vision and passion of Steve Jobs was his ability to focus.
The following quote of Mr. Jobs says quite a lot:
People think focus means saying yes to the thing you have to focus on. But that’s not what it means at all. It means saying no to the 100 other good ideas there are. You have to pick carefully.
Since reading this, I've been pondering its implications in my own life.
Maybe I've should've said "no" way more.
No to politics.
No to all the network marketing.
No to sitting on community boards of directors.
Etc. But.
Jobs does offer a flip side perspective as well:
Again, 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. (From his 2005 Stanford University Commencement address)
In other words,
All these things I've done, while perhaps not clearly understood now, have shaped me in some great way and will continue to influence my future. Even if certain endeavors at first glance appear to have proven unsuccessful or unworthy of my time, I should foster a faith that all of these experiences shall eventually coalesce for my good and the good of others.
And so, if somehow we find ourselves able to blend the two essences of these two ideals, we ultimately emerge with a life of technical precision and artistic simplicity.
Which, it occurs to me, embodies the nature of the Apple products, itself, as brought forth from the man, Steve Jobs, himself.
Live life like an iPod.
Rest in peace, Steve.