“[Y]ou 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.” Steve Jobs

Waking up to another rainy morning, it’s almost as if Silicon Valley is crying over its loss.  Whether you are an Apple user or not (who are you?), Steve Jobs is someone who has affected everyone’s life in some way, shape, or form.  More than just pretty looking gadgets that make it easier for us to live our lives on the run and chat with our friends, his attitude towards life and innovation is what really captivated me and millions of others.

Sadly, it is unlikely that our generation will see another like Mr. Jobs in our lifetime.  I don’t doubt that there are more out there like him though.  It was Jobs’ ability to be unafraid to fail that made him truly unique.  It doesn’t matter how smart you are or how many great ideas you have if you never put them out there and really go for your dream(s).  I think we’ve all been frightened by failure and have given up on big dreams.  Rather than doing what we want to do, we do what we think is the mature and responsible thing to do.  I understand that, at times, that’s the necessary decision for survival, but that’s no reason to give up on your passion.  Our generation has become lazy and scared.  We’d rather be reality TV stars than scientists… and that’s just sad.  Fame isn’t what changes the world.  Making a quick buck isn’t either.

No one has a guaranteed amount of life on this planet.  You don’t know what will happen in the next day, the next hour.  Stop being afraid.  Stop being lazy.  It’s okay to fail.  Sometimes that’s the only route to success.

“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. Because almost everything — all external expectations, all pride, all fear of embarrassment or failure – these things just fall away in the face of death, leaving only what is truly important. Remembering that you are going to die is the best way I know to avoid the trap of thinking you have something to lose. You are already naked. There is no reason not to follow your heart. … Stay hungry. Stay foolish.” Steve Jobs

We all will die.  Will you live?

xx,

WhyDid