Steve Jobs - 2005 Stanford Commencement Address (Enhanced to HD/1080p)

Summary

In his iconic Stanford commencement speech, Steve Jobs shares three personal stories about his life, emphasizing the importance of following one's passion, learning from setbacks, and embracing death as a motivator. He reflects on his decision to drop out of college, his experiences of being fired from Apple, and a near-death cancer diagnosis. Through these life-changing events, he encourages graduates to trust their instincts, stay hungry, and stay foolish, reminding them that the dots of life only connect in hindsight and that true satisfaction comes from doing what you love.

Takeaways

• 😀 Life is full of unexpected twists: Steve Jobs shares how his adoption, dropping out of college, and later experiences shaped his success.
• 😀 Trust in your intuition: Jobs dropped out of college and pursued subjects he was passionate about, which later contributed to innovations like the Macintosh.
• 😀 You can’t connect the dots looking forward, only backward: Steve reflects on how seemingly disconnected events later fit together in meaningful ways.
• 😀 Embrace failure as a stepping stone: Jobs was fired from Apple, but this failure led to a period of creativity, resulting in the founding of NeXT and Pixar.
• 😀 Follow what you love: Passion for your work is key to achieving great results and satisfaction in life.
• 😀 Life is unpredictable, but love for your work can guide you through difficult times: Jobs’ love for his craft helped him recover after being fired from Apple.
• 😀 Don't settle for less than what you love: Keep searching for the work and relationships that truly resonate with you.
• 😀 Death is a great motivator: Remembering that life is finite helps make important life decisions, pushing away unnecessary fears.
• 😀 Living with a sense of mortality: Jobs looked in the mirror each day asking if today was the last day of his life, a practice that kept him focused on what mattered most.
• 😀 Death clears the way for new life: Jobs saw death as life's change agent, allowing new ideas, people, and innovation to thrive.
• 😀 Stay curious and open-minded: Jobs draws inspiration from The Whole Earth Catalog's message to stay hungry and foolish, emphasizing lifelong learning and risk-taking.

Q & A

Why did Steve Jobs drop out of college?

Steve Jobs dropped out of college because he felt that the classes were not helping him figure out what he wanted to do with his life, and he was spending all of his parents' savings on tuition without seeing the value in it.

What is the significance of Steve Jobs' decision to drop out of Reed College?

Dropping out allowed Steve Jobs to follow his curiosity and explore subjects that genuinely interested him, such as calligraphy. This ultimately influenced his design of the Macintosh, making it the first computer with beautiful typography.

How did Steve Jobs' experience with calligraphy shape his later work?

The calligraphy class Steve Jobs took at Reed College taught him about fonts, typefaces, and spacing, which he later incorporated into the Macintosh. This design feature helped make personal computers more visually appealing, influencing the entire industry.

How did Steve Jobs handle the loss of Apple, the company he founded?

After being fired from Apple, Jobs initially felt devastated but soon realized that he still loved what he did. This led him to start new ventures like NeXT and Pixar, and eventually return to Apple, where his earlier work played a key role in the company's renaissance.

What does Steve Jobs mean by 'you can’t connect the dots looking forward, you can only connect them looking backwards'?

Jobs is emphasizing that, at the time, the decisions and experiences in life may not make sense in the moment, but over time, their significance becomes clear. This message encourages trust in one's instincts and the belief that things will work out in the long run.

Why did Steve Jobs consider being fired from Apple the best thing that could have happened to him?

Being fired allowed Jobs to embrace a new chapter in his life, bringing about a sense of freedom and creativity. It led to the creation of NeXT and Pixar, both of which were pivotal in his eventual return to Apple and in the company's success.

How did Steve Jobs' perspective on death influence his decision-making?

Jobs often reminded himself of death to keep his priorities in check. He believed that contemplating his mortality helped him make big life choices, shedding external pressures and focusing on what truly mattered to him.

What was the 'Stay hungry, stay foolish' message, and why did Steve Jobs mention it?

This was a farewell message from the final issue of *The Whole Earth Catalog*, a publication that inspired Jobs. He embraced the idea of staying curious ('hungry') and remaining open to new, unconventional ideas ('foolish'). He wished this mindset for the graduating class as they began their journey.

What role did the 'Whole Earth Catalog' play in Steve Jobs' life?

The *Whole Earth Catalog* was an influential publication for Steve Jobs, providing him with ideas and inspiration during his youth. It represented an idealistic vision that encouraged creativity and exploration, values that Jobs carried throughout his career.

What lesson did Steve Jobs want to convey about following one's heart and intuition?

Jobs stressed that following one's heart and intuition is crucial for success. He believed that doing what you love, whether in work or relationships, is the key to fulfillment and greatness. He urged the graduates not to settle for anything less.