10 Golden Lessons from Steve Jobs May 1, 2007
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10 Golden Lessons From Steve Jobs
“I think we’re having fun. I think our customers really like our products. And we’re always trying to do better.”
His accomplishments and character helped define a generation and change the world. He is co-founder of the fairytale company we now know as Apple Computers. And he is the visionary of the personal computers world that led the entire computer hardware and software industry to restructure itself.
This man with boundless energy and charisma is also a master of hype, hyperbole and the catchy phrase. And even when he’s trying to talk normally, brilliant verbiage comes tumbling out.
Here’s a selection of some of the most insanely great things he said, golden lessons to help you succeed in life, Jobs-style:
1. Steve Jobs said: “Innovation distinguishes between a leader and a follower.”
Innovation has no limits. The only limit is your imagination. It’s time for you to begin thinking out of the box. If you are involved in a growing industry, think of ways to become more efficient; more customer friendly; and easier to do business with. If you are involved in a shrinking industry – get out of it quick and change before you become obsolete; out of work; or out of business. And remember that procrastination is not an option here. Start innovating now!
2. Steve Jobs said: “Be a yardstick of quality. Some people aren’t used to an environment where excellence is expected.”
There is no shortcut to excellence. You will have to make the commitment to make excellence your priority. Use your talents, abilities, and skills in the best way possible and get ahead of others by giving that little extra. Live by a higher standard and pay attention to the details that really do make the difference. Excellence is not difficult – simply decide right now to give it your best shot – and you will be amazed with what life gives you back.
3. Steve Jobs said: “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’ve got it down to four words: “Do what you love.” Seek out an occupation that gives you a sense of meaning, direction and satisfaction in life. Having a sense of purpose and striving towards goals gives life meaning, direction and satisfaction. It not only contributes to health and longevity, but also makes you feel better in difficult times. Do you jump out of bed on Monday mornings and look forward to the work week? If the answer is ‘no’ keep looking, you’ll know when you find it.
4. Steve Jobs said: “You know, we don’t grow most of the food we eat. We wear clothes other people make. We speak a language that other people developed. We use a mathematics that other people evolved… I mean, we’re constantly taking things. It’s a wonderful, ecstatic feeling to create something that puts it back in the pool of human experience and knowledge.”
Live in a way that is ethically responsible. Try to make a difference in this world and contribute to the higher good. You’ll find it gives more meaning to your life and it’s a great antidote to boredom. There is always so much to be done. And talk to others about what you are doing. Don’t preach or be self-righteous, or fanatical about it, that just puts people off, but at the same time, don’t be shy about setting an example, and use opportunities that arise to let others know what you are doing.
5. Steve Jobs said: “There’s a phrase in Buddhism, ‘Beginner’s mind.’ It’s wonderful to have a beginner’s mind.”
It is the kind of mind that can see things as they are, which step by step and in a flash can realize the original nature of everything. Beginner’s mind is Zen practice in action. It is the mind that is innocent of preconceptions and expectations, judgements and prejudices. Think of beginner’s mind as the mind that faces life like a small child, full of curiosity and wonder and amazement.
6. Steve Jobs said: “We think basically you watch television to turn your brain off, and you work on your computer when you want to turn your brain on.”
Reams of academic studies over the decades have amply confirmed television’s pernicious mental and moral influences. And most TV watchers know that their habit is mind-numbing and wasteful, but still spend most of their time in front of that box. So turn your TV off and save some brain cells. But be cautious, you can turn your brain off by using a computer also. Try and have an intelligent conversation with someone who plays first person shooters for 8 hours a day. Or auto race games, or roll playing games.
7. Steve Jobs said: “I’m the only person I know that’s lost a quarter of a billion dollars in one year…. It’s very character-building.”
Don’t equate making mistakes with being a mistake. There is no such thing as a successful person who has not failed or made mistakes, there are successful people who made mistakes and changed their lives or performance in response to them, and so got it right the next time. They viewed mistakes as warnings rather than signs of hopeless inadequacy. Never making a mistake means never living life to the full.
8. Steve Jobs said: “I would trade all of my technology for an afternoon with Socrates.”
Over the last decade, numerous books featuring lessons from historical figures have appeared on the shelves of bookstores around the world. And Socrates stands with Leonardo da Vinci, Nicholas Copernicus, Charles Darwin and Albert Einstein as a beacon of inspiration for independent thinkers. But he came first. Cicero said of Socrates that, “He called philosophy down from the skies and into the lives of men.” So use Socrates’ principles in your life, your work, your learning, and your relationships. It’s not about Socrates, it’s really about you, and how you can bring more truth, beauty and goodness into your life everyday.
9. Steve Jobs said: “We’re here to put a dent in the universe. Otherwise why else even be here?”
Did you know that you have big things to accomplish in life? And did you know that those big things are getting rather dusty while you pour yourself another cup of coffee, and decide to mull things over rather than do them? We were all born with a gift to give in life, one which informs all of our desires, interests, passions and curiosities. This gift is, in fact, our purpose. And you don’t need permission to decide your own purpose. No boss, teacher, parent, priest or other authority can decide this for you. Just find that unique purpose.
10. Steve Jobs said: “Your time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life. Don’t be trapped by dogma – which is living with the results of other people’s thinking. Don’t let the noise of other’s 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.”
Are you tired of living someone else’s dream? No doubt, its your life and you have every right to spend it in your own individual way without any hurdles or barriers from others. Give yourself a chance to nurture your creative qualities in a fear-free and pressure-free climate. Live a life that YOU choose and be your own boss.
Each lesson might be difficult to integrate into your life at first, but if you ease your way into each lesson, one at a time, you’ll notice an immediate improvement in your overall performance. So go ahead, give them a try.
– The Ririan Project
Being a Better Office Professional April 20, 2007
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In the office I sometimes see some things that inspired this post (regardless of how “common sense” some of these items are). Some of these rules (presented in an unordered list) have been broken by new folks for which this happens to be their first job and they just don’t know any better. Some however are perpetrated by people that should really know better…
1. Do not discuss your salary/wage with your coworkers.
I can’t tell you how many times I’ve seen people do this. There is essentially zero good that can come out of this. One way or another somebody’s feelings are going to be hurt. It can cause a lot of strife between people and it’s even a terminable offense in most workplaces.
The only people that you could share your salary with are the following:
- Spouse or signifigant other if you live together or otherwise share a budget.
- Parents (with the understanding that it is strictly confidential, no telling their golf buddies, AA group or Joey your 4th cousin twice removed.)
- Your accountant.
- That’s it.
2. Perception is reality.
No matter how unfair it is, no matter how illogical it can be, it is the absolute 100% truth. People don’t have time in the workplace to ferret out the whole story. If you’re seen as a slacker, you’re a slacker. If you’re seen as a hothead, you’re a hothead.
Work hard to cultivate the perception you think you should have and protect it once it is achieved. That means you may have to work harder/faster/better than the other guy or gal if you’ve already been branded.
Along the same lines, be careful who you hang out with at work. It’s very easy to be pigeonholed with a group if you frequently go on breaks with, lunch with or otherwise hangout with people who act less that professionally (or proficiently) in the workplace.
3. Be honest with your coworkers, but not too honest.
If this job is just a stepping stone towards bigger and better things, don’t share that with the 20 year lifer that you just met at the office. I was guilty of this at my first professional job. I think back on that and realize what a jerk I must have sounded like.
Hopes and dreams are great, but try to keep conversations with your coworkers light, at least in the early going before you really know them.
4. Choose your battles wisely.
No you will not quit if they switch from Arrowhead bottled water to Sparkletts. Get a grip.
Some battles are worth fighting, others are small potatoes. Think of it this way. Every day that you work and do an acceptable job you earn a certain number of points. As you spend more time at the job you accrue these points until you can cash them in for several purposes.
One of those purposes is in the eternal battle to impose your will on others. Whether it’s a raise or more donuts on Friday. If you’re constantly spending your points you’re going to find yourself fresh out when something REALLY important comes along like… say… layoffs.
You always want to have a cache of points to turn in when you need them.
5. Nobody likes a whiner.
This goes hand in hand with choosing your battles. If you are constantly whining about things then you will actually lose points without getting anything for them besides irritated coworkers. If your chair is uncomfortable, go swipe one from somewhere else, or politely ask the office manager about maybe getting a new one.
If you can’t get whatever ails you resolved quickly and in a polite non-whiny manner, try to learn to live with it or fix it yourself.
6. Don’t get plastered at happy hour or the holiday party.
Wooo open bar! Hold on there partner. While it’s ok to have a cocktail or two while you’re at a company function, don’t get obliterated.
I’ve seen more than my share of otherwise normal folks completely crash and burn due to their allowing their cup to runneth over.
Take it easy, have fun, but remember that come Monday morning, yes they will remember if you act like an idiot while plastered. Minus points.
7. Get it in writing.
Email is one of the single greatest inventions ever in corporate accountability.
If there is ever a doubt in your mind about what you’ve been tasked to do, get it in writing. Sometimes people make judgement calls on the fly when they’re pressed for time. More often than not, when they are proven to have made the incorrect call, they will turn to you and ask you why you did that (idiot!). So having their instructions in black and white will save your ass a hundred times over the course of your career.
Get it in writing. Plus points if you catch the office bully with his pants down using this technique.
8. This isn’t high school or college A) debating.
Academic debates about random crap are fantastic fun in a scholastic setting. Nobody wants to debate arbitrary minutiae in the office, especially your boss.
9. This isn’t high school or college B) over the top.
While it may have been fun to be the over the top bombastic “willing to do anything to get a rise out of someone” kind of person back in school, this does NOT fly in the workplace.
Yes, it was jolly good fun to tease people and make people uncomfortable back in the day, but not any more when your livelihood hangs in the balance. This goes for discussing politics and religion as well. It’s just not a good idea.
10. Smile — today’s the first day of the rest of your career!
A positive attitude can have a great affect on your interpersonal relations at work and your career in general. Bosses and coworkers are a lot more forgiving if you can take a beating and still keep a bit of cheer about yourself.
Remember, it’s just work, don’t take it too seriously.
John — SportsNode.com
On Building Not Just a Good Company, But a GREAT Company… April 3, 2007
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- First WHO…Then WHAT: Great leaders will first get the right people on the bus, the wrong people off the bus, and the right people in the right seats — and then they figured out where to drive it. The old adage “People are your most important asset” turns out the be wrong. People are not your most important asset — the right people are.
- Confront the Brutal Facts, Yet Never Lose Faith: Learn to embrace the Stockdale Paradox — maintain unwavering faith that you can and will prevail in the end, regardless of the difficulties, AND at the same time have the discipline to confront the most brutal facts of your current reality, whatever they might be.
- The Hedgehog Concept: You must transcend the Curse of Competence. Just because something is your core business — just because you’ve been doing it for years or perhaps even decades — does not necessarily mean you can be the best in the world at it. And if you cannot be the best in the world at your core business, then your core business absolutely cannot form the basis of a great company. It must be replaced with a simple concept that reflect deep understanding of three intersecting circles:
- what are you deeply passionate about?
- what can you be the best in the world at?
- what drives your economic engine?
- Foster a Culture of Discipline – When you have disciplined people, you don’t need hierarchy, bureaucracy, or excessive controls. When you combine a culture of discipline with an ethic of entrepreneurship, you get the magical alchemy of great performance.
- Technology is an Accelerator, not the Primary Igniter– You need to think differently about technology. Do not use it as the primary means of igniting a transformation, but be willing to pioneer ways of applying carefully selected technologies.
– thanks to Jim Collins
Nuggets from the FranklinCovey FOCUS! class April 2, 2007
Posted by HappyDad in Covey, business, dogs, leadership, productivity, success, teamwork.1 comment so far
- Breakdowns enable breakthroughs!
- The challenge in the workplace today is not knowledge — it is insight. You must bring your heart and your head to work.
- Every job is a self-portrait of the person who does it. Autograph your picture with excellence!
- Time is not about the clock – it’s about the choices you make.
- All of this is common sense — but it’s not common practice.
- You need to LIVE – rather than BEING LIVED.
- If you consciously brought your values, talents, and passions to work every day, what amazing breakthroughs could happen!
- “So what if not everyone buys into it?” Well, 2 simple options: 1) Leave, 2) Stay and be the catalyst for change. Start with your smallest circle of influence, and gradually build outward. Every avalanche started with only a single snowflake.
- Choosing between “right” and “wrong” is easy — it’s choosing between “good” and “better” that’s hard.
- A goal is a planned-for event — a dream with a deadline. And there will be a cost involved…time or money or both. And if it is truly important enough to you, then you’ll pay it. Who or what are you already paying your time or money too? Is that what is truly important to you?
- 10 years from now, you’ll be 10 years older anyway, so why not live your dreams?
- Goals have to be S.M.A.R.T = Sustainable, Measurable, Attainable, Reachable, Timely
- Take time to sharpen the saw. Have you ever been so busy driving that you didn’t have time to stop for gas? When the saw is sharp, you’ll get more results, better results, easier results, and less waste. You can’t sharpen just one tooth — it has to be the whole thing, and it has to be even and consistent.
- You will feel endorphines rush when you act in accordance with your values — that’s what happiness is.
- A recent Gallup poll found that 70% of employees reported that they were not actively engaged in their work.
- Which would you prefer: an employee that was naturally talented, or hard working?
- You have to be in a position for luck to happen – luck doesn’t wander around looking for a stumblebum.
- The single most important investment we can make is in ourselves – that is the only thing over which we have complete control.
- 65% of people spend their leisure time doing things they’d rather not be doing.
- “Know yourself – don’t accept your dog’s admiration as evidence that you are wonderful.” — Ann Landers
- Good enough never is.
- Efficiency is doing things right, whereas Effectiveness is doing the right things.
- It’s not the interruptions that waste our time, but the lag time afterwards when we try to get back on track.
- It’s a silly time to learn to swim when you’re already starting to drown.
- Organized people write things down; dangerously organized people can find them again.
- Be willing to hire and work with dissenting points of view; “I never learned anything from anyone who agreed with me.”
- Time is not an obstacle — it is an opportunity.
The Best Dunce Cap You Can Wear April 2, 2007
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“You have to hire people with a certain kind of stupidity, who reject or ignore ‘the way things are supposed to be done around here.’ “
– Robert Sutton
After 20/20 Vision, getting the Team to play “Follow the Leader” February 5, 2007
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Thoughts on getting your team to follow the Leader…
- People follow leaders they know
- Second-mile leaders produce second-mile followers
- People follow leaders they trust.
- “I love the man that can smile in trouble, that can gather strength from distress, and grow brave by reflection. ‘Tis the business of little minds to shrink, but he whose heart is firm, and whose conscience approves his conduct, will pursue his principles unto death.” — Thomas Paine
- Too many people think that they’ll change their behavior once their leadership role demands it. On the contrary, true leaders will act today the way they would tomorrow, regardless of their role or position.
Getting the Team to 20/20 Vision February 5, 2007
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Thoughts on helping a group rally behind a vision…
Reasons why people fail to adopt a worthy vision:
- They didn’t help create it. Participation increases ownership. When you’re an owner, you see things differently. (How many people have ever waxed a rental car?)
- They don’t understand it. When asked what he thought the leader’s role was in an organization, one man said “You have to act like a 3rd-grade teacher. You have to repeat the vision over and over again until the people get it. And if the leader is really wise, they will communicate it in many ways, in many settings, using many methods.”
- They don’t agree with it.
- They don’t know the vision. Growing businesses often hire new employees but have nothing in place to make sure that they know and ebmrace the vision. Every organization needs a built-in process for passing on the vision.
- They feel unneeded to achieve it. 3 kinds of leaders…1) “We’re going to do this with or without you”, 2) “We sure would like you to help us do this”, 3) “We can’t do this without you”. Guess which one is most successful…
- They aren’t ready for it.
If you can help them overcome each of these challenges, they’ll get behind the vision and start pushing right along.
Winning and Influencing February 2, 2007
Posted by HappyDad in business, happiness, leadership, success.2 comments
Here’s a summary of Dale Carnegie’s book, “How To Win Friends and Influence People. Enjoy!
Fundamental Techniques in Handling People
- Don't criticize, condemn or complain.
- Give honest and sincere appreciation.
- Arouse in the other person an eager want.
Six ways to make people like you
- Become genuinely interested in other people.
- Smile.
- Remember that a person's name is to that person the sweetest and most important sound in any language.
- Be a good listener. Encourage others to talk about themselves.
- Talk in terms of the other person's interests.
- Make the other person feel important - and do it sincerely.
Win people to your way of thinking
- The only way to get the best of an argument is to avoid it.
- Show respect for the other person's opinions. Never say, "You're wrong."
- If you are wrong, admit it quickly and emphatically.
- Begin in a friendly way.
- Get the other person saying "yes, yes" immediately.
- Let the other person do a great deal of the talking.
- Let the other person feel that the idea is his or hers.
- Try honestly to see things from the other person's point of view.
- Be sympathetic with the other person's ideas and desires.
- Appeal to the nobler motives.
- Dramatize your ideas.
- Throw down a challenge.
Be a Leader: How to Change People Without Giving Offense or Arousing Resentment
A leader’s job often includes changing your people’s attitudes and behavior. Some suggestions to accomplish this:
- Begin with praise and honest appreciation.
- Call attention to people's mistakes indirectly.
- Talk about your own mistakes before criticizing the other person.
- Ask questions instead of giving direct orders.
- Let the other person save face.
- Praise the slightest improvement and praise every improvement. Be "hearty in your approbation and lavish in your praise."
- Give the other person a fine reputation to live up to.
- Use encouragement. Make the fault seem easy to correct.
- Make the other person happy about doing the thing you suggest.
How cheap are you? February 1, 2007
Posted by HappyDad in business, honesty, piracy.2 comments
I heard this story at a religious conference last year – made me think about things I’ve done in my life, and wondered whatthe “price tag” of any of my actions has been. Have I been willing to sellout, and how high (or low) was the price?
“Some 30 years ago, while working in the corporate world, some business associates and I were passing through O’Hare Airport in Chicago, Illinois. One of these men had just sold his company for tens of millions of dollars — in other words, he was not poor.
As we were passing a newspaper vending machine, this individual put a quarter in the machine, opened the door to the stack of papers in the machine, and begain dispensing upaid-for newspapers to each of us. When he handed me a newspaper, I put a quarter in the machine, and trying not to offend but to make a point, jokingly said ‘Jim, for 25 cents I can maintain my integrity. A dollar, questionable, but 25 cents — no, not for 25 cents.’
A few mintues later we passed the same newspaper vending machine. I noticed that Jim had broekn away from our group and was stuffing quarters in the vending machine. I tell you this incident not to portray myself as an unusual example of honesty, but only to emphasize the lessons…
There will never be honesty in the business world, in the schools, in the home, or anyplace else until there is honesty in the heart.”
– Richard C. Edgley, “Three Towels and a 25-cent Newspaper,” Ensign, Nov. 2006, 73-74
See, that’s the problem I have with pirated movies, music, or software. Some feel that their honor is cheaper than a song or a film. At the religious college I attented, we were required to sign an “honor code” every semester, binding ourselves contractually that we would be honest, morally clean, physically modest, abstain from all alchohol, tobacco, and caffeine. Yet I would read nearly every week about students that got caught shoplifting candybars, pantyhose, CD’s, lipstick, or books. CANDYBARS!?!?!? Is that all their honor was worth? On the digital side, I saw students’ MP3 libraries that numbered in the tens-of-thousands of files. And I call bullcrap if the owner had even bought 5% of that music….
It’s just staggering how morally cheap we’ve become. I don’t think we started that way. We are all intrinsically aware of the ‘value’ of our morals, but that awareness dulls over time, especially when neglected or outright abused. Simple example: we’ve seen the middle aged executives stone-faced and serious when they plead ‘not guilty’ to embezzlement and fraud, and we’ve all probably seen young kids collapse in tears when caught with their hands in the cookie jar. Integrity and honesty is implanted in us when we are young, and either is nurtured and grows, or is neglected and dies.
What would the world be like if we could gain back that sensitivity to the ‘value’ of our morals, if we could become aware of the price we pay when we do / say / think anything against our internal moral compasses. Do we even have a compass? Do YOU? What is your moral “north star”?
