Steve Jobs' Hidden Blueprint for Insane Success

Summary

Steve Jobs’ early life was filled with unconventional hustles that shaped the revolutionary DNA of Apple. From building illegal devices to hack AT&T’s phone network to dropping out of college and dumpster diving for computer parts, Jobs always pursued what he passionately wanted, not what the market demanded. His key moves? Build what you desperately want, embrace the maze of entrepreneurship, and blend diverse interests to innovate. Through perseverance, pivoting after failure, and combining tech with the humanities, Jobs proved that success isn’t linear—it’s about persistence, curiosity, and thinking outside the box.

Takeaways

• 😀 Jobs' early ventures, like building illegal phone-hacking devices, taught him the importance of bending the rules and seeing possibilities beyond what seemed possible.
• 😀 The first key lesson: Build something you desperately want, not necessarily what the market or investors want. People don't know what they want until you show it to them.
• 😀 Jobs and W's blue box project was born out of their desire to hack phones, teaching them about challenging giant corporations with limited resources.
• 😀 The Apple 1 was born from the founders' need for an affordable computer. They sold personal items to fund it and hand-assembled the computers in their garage.
• 😀 Breakthrough companies often start with the founders building something that solves a problem they have themselves, instead of waiting for others to create it.
• 😀 The second key lesson: Your startup journey is a maze, not a straight line. Expect failures and setbacks, and don't fear admitting when you've hit a wall.
• 😀 After being fired from Apple, Jobs didn't quit—he pivoted to start Next Computer, even though it initially flopped. This failure later led to Apple’s resurgence.
• 😀 The Next failure taught Jobs that success isn’t permanent, and sometimes a setback is a stepping stone to future success. His pivot to software saved Apple.
• 😀 The third key lesson: Don't be a one-trick pony. Combining different skills—like humanities and electronics—gave Jobs unique insights that transformed Apple.
• 😀 Jobs’ time at Pixar taught him storytelling, a key element in his Apple product presentations, making them feel like narrative-driven events rather than just launches.
• 😀 Jobs believed that work and life shouldn’t be separated; when you pour your passion into your work, failure becomes feedback, and obsessions turn into innovations.
• 😀 Your weird curiosities and diverse interests aren't distractions; they're ammunition. The more varied your knowledge, the more innovative you can be.

Q & A

How did Steve Jobs start his journey with hacking and innovation?

At the age of 12, Steve Jobs cold-called Bill Hulet, the founder of HP, to get free computer parts. By 19, he and his friend W were hacking AT&T's phone network by building illegal devices, such as the blue box, which allowed them to make free phone calls. This early experience with bending the rules helped shape Jobs' innovative mindset.

What was the significance of the blue box in Steve Jobs' early career?

The blue box was an illegal device that allowed users to hack phone lines and make free calls. It didn't stem from market demand but from Jobs and W's personal desire to create something cool. It taught them about bending the rules of massive corporations and laid the foundation for Apple's future success.

What did Steve Jobs learn from building the Apple 1?

Jobs and W built the Apple 1 out of necessity because they couldn't afford the high-cost mini computers of the time. They sourced components by dumpster diving and selling personal belongings, learning the value of resourcefulness and determination. This experience emphasized the importance of building something you desperately want rather than waiting for the market to tell you what to do.

What is the significance of Jobs' second move, which is about the maze?

The second move highlights that entrepreneurship is not a straight line but a maze. Jobs' experience with Next Computer, which initially failed, taught him not to be afraid of failure and to pivot when necessary. When Next flopped, he shifted the focus to software, which eventually contributed to the creation of MacOS and Apple's revival.

What did Steve Jobs mean by 'the maze mindset'?

The maze mindset refers to understanding that success is not linear. Jobs encountered numerous failures, but instead of quitting, he adapted, changed his approach, and found new solutions. The maze rewards persistence and adaptability, not perfection, which allowed Jobs to overcome obstacles and build Apple into the company it is today.

How did Jobs' liberal arts background influence Apple's design?

Jobs believed in blending technology with the arts. His calligraphy class at Reed College, though seemingly irrelevant at the time, directly influenced Apple's design philosophy, leading to the creation of beautiful typography on Macs. Jobs hired musicians, artists, and writers, not just engineers, fostering creativity and making Apple products stand out in the tech world.

Why did Jobs buy Pixar, and what did he learn from it?

Jobs bought Pixar without much knowledge of animation, but he brought his tech discipline to the company. The result was the creation of the first computer-animated feature film. This experience taught Jobs about storytelling, which became evident in Apple's product launches and keynotes, where he crafted narratives rather than just presenting products.

How did Steve Jobs view the relationship between work and life?

Steve Jobs didn't separate his work from his life. He saw them as intertwined, with his obsessions becoming his products and innovations. This mindset fueled his relentless pursuit of perfection, and his curiosity and passion for various fields, including humanities, became his unique competitive advantage.

What is the importance of 'feeding your weird curiosities' according to Jobs?

Jobs emphasized the importance of not limiting yourself to a single area of expertise. He believed that your unique combination of knowledge from diverse fields could provide a competitive advantage. By feeding your curiosity and exploring various disciplines, you can approach problems with fresh perspectives and innovate in unexpected ways.

How did Steve Jobs start Apple with very few resources?

Steve Jobs and W started Apple with no money, no connections, and no computer science degree. They sold their personal belongings to fund their first venture, including Jobs' VW van and W's HP65 calculator. Despite these limitations, they used their creativity and persistence to create the Apple 1, selling it to local computer shops and eventually launching Apple into the tech industry.