Why Steve Jobs is 'CEO of the Decade' (Not What You Think)

Think of only a few world-changing innovations in the past decade and iPod, iTunes, iPhone, iPad or anything beginning with 'i' will likely come to mind; therefore Steve Jobs is a no-brainer for CEO of the decade.  He revolutionized the way we listen to music and the way we communicate; and that's without mentioning Apple computers!

How did he become so successful?  Is he just smarter than other people?  Does he work more hours?  Is he lucky?  If one considers his early success with Apple, the answer may be yes to all of the above; however, considering the Steve Jobs of the past decade, the answers to these questions, in my humble opinion, is none of the above.

I don't know him personally but by reading some of his words in press releases, personal interviews and/or graduation ceremonies over the past 10 years, it is his perspective on life that makes him who and what he is today. 

Consider some of these quotes from Steve Jobs:

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.

Here’s to the crazy ones, the misfits, the rebels, the troublemakers, the round pegs in the square holes… the ones who see things differently — they’re not fond of rules… You can quote them, disagree with them, glorify or vilify them, but the only thing you can’t do is ignore them because they change things… they push the human race forward, and while some may see them as the crazy ones, we see genius, because the ones who are crazy enough to think that they can change the world, are the ones who do.

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.

When thinking of Steve Jobs, titles such as master salesman, innovator or inventor might come to mind; however his latest and greatest success is because he is a philosopher...

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Related:

Awakening to Your Dying

Get Busy Livin' or Get Busy Dyin'

Source: A Collection of 60 Inspirational Steve Jobs Quotes about Life, Design & Apple

Special "hat tip" to TFP reader "Thanks" for sharing your Steve Jobs quote!

Comments

[Susan Lucas]

Thank you for this inspiring message, Kent. I completely agree. Reminded me of my favorite Steve quote, "You 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 -- because believing that the dots will connect down the road will give you the confidence to follow your heart, even when it leads you off the well-worn path, and that will make all the difference."

[Kent @ The Financial Philosopher]

I love that Susan! I like to say that you will always be on the right path as long as it is yours.