Steve Jobs Stanford Commencement Speech 2005 with Indonesian Subtitle

Summary

In his iconic Stanford commencement speech, Steve Jobs shares three powerful stories from his life: connecting the dots, love and loss, and death. He reflects on how dropping out of college led to unexpected learning, how being fired from Apple sparked creativity and new ventures, and how facing death taught him the importance of following one's heart. Jobs emphasizes the significance of trusting your intuition, doing what you love, and staying true to yourself. His message is clear: life is short, so stay hungry, stay foolish, and live authentically.

Takeaways

• 😀 Trust in the journey, even when the purpose isn't clear. You can only connect the dots looking backwards, not forwards.
• 😀 Don't be afraid to follow your intuition and curiosity. Sometimes, the most valuable lessons come from unconventional experiences.
• 😀 Failure can be a blessing in disguise. Getting fired from Apple led to some of the most creative and productive years of Steve Jobs' life.
• 😀 Love what you do. It's essential for doing great work. Keep looking for what you love and don't settle until you find it.
• 😀 Embrace life's challenges, even death. Knowing that life is limited helps you prioritize what matters most and discard fear and doubt.
• 😀 Death is life’s change agent. It clears out the old to make way for the new, and it's a necessary part of the process.
• 😀 You don’t need to follow others' expectations. Don't live by dogma or the opinions of others; follow your heart and intuition instead.
• 😀 You have nothing to lose when you realize you’re already ‘naked’—free yourself from the fear of failure and judgment.
• 😀 Be courageous and stay curious. As you move forward in life, remain hungry for knowledge and open to new experiences.
• 😀 Live each day as if it were your last. If something doesn't feel right, make a change before it’s too late.
• 😀 Life is about continuous growth. Jobs’ experiences, including his battle with cancer, gave him a new perspective on living with purpose and clarity.

Q & A

Why did Steve Jobs drop out of college?

Steve Jobs dropped out of college because he felt the courses were not aligned with his interests and he did not see the value in continuing education when he was unsure of his future. He also didn't want to waste his parents' savings on tuition for a degree he wasn't passionate about.

What was the significance of the calligraphy class Jobs took after dropping out?

The calligraphy class Steve Jobs took at Reed College played a significant role in the development of the Macintosh. It taught him about typography, typefaces, and the importance of design, which later influenced the beautiful typography in Apple's products.

How did Jobs view his firing from Apple at the time, and how did it impact his future?

At the time, Jobs viewed his firing from Apple as a devastating blow and a public failure. However, in hindsight, he recognized it as one of the best things that could have happened to him, as it allowed him to start over, be creative, and eventually return to Apple with new ideas and technology.

What role did failure play in Steve Jobs' creative process?

Failure, particularly being fired from Apple, freed Steve Jobs to explore new creative avenues and take risks. He started NeXT and Pixar, which led to significant achievements like the creation of Toy Story and Apple's subsequent revival. Failure gave him a new perspective and freedom to innovate.

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

Jobs means that the meaning of life’s events often becomes clear only in hindsight. While we can't predict how the choices we make will play out, trusting in those decisions allows us to later see how they fit into a larger, meaningful pattern.

What is the core message of Jobs' story about love and loss?

The core message of Jobs' story about love and loss is that passion and love for one's work are essential. Even when facing setbacks or failures, following what you love can lead to success and personal fulfillment. Losing his position at Apple eventually led him to new ventures and greater creativity.

How did Jobs' diagnosis with cancer change his perspective on life?

Jobs' cancer diagnosis gave him a deeper understanding of the fragility of life. It reinforced his belief that remembering the inevitability of death helps to prioritize what truly matters—living authentically, pursuing passions, and not being distracted by external expectations or fears.

What advice does Jobs give about following one's intuition and heart?

Jobs advises the graduates to have the courage to follow their heart and intuition, as they already know what they truly want to become. He stresses that external opinions and fears should not dictate one's decisions, and trusting in oneself leads to fulfillment and success.

What is the significance of the phrase 'stay hungry, stay foolish'?

The phrase 'stay hungry, stay foolish' is a call to remain curious, eager to learn, and willing to take risks. It encourages people to not settle for mediocrity or conform to societal expectations, but instead to continually seek new opportunities and growth.

What did Jobs mean when he said, 'death is life’s change agent'?

Jobs meant that death is an inevitable part of life that clears the way for new ideas and changes. It serves as a reminder to focus on what truly matters and to embrace change, as it allows for personal and societal growth. Death motivates us to live with purpose.