Feedback Form
Home Features Mastermind Forums About Advertise Blog Network Contact Be An Author

Lesson #3: Seize The Day

Steve Jobs Articles
Lesson #3: Seize The Day

When Jobs was 17 years old, he read a quote that would stay with him forever: “If you live each day as if it was your last, someday you'll most certainly be right.” Since then, he has looked himself in the mirror every morning and asked himself whether or not he would do the same thing that day if it were his last day alive. “Whenever the answer has been ‘No’ for too many days in a row, I know I need to change something,” he says.

It has been Jobs’ willingness to seize new opportunities and take the road less traveled that has allowed him to rise above his competitors for so many years. He has refused to let time pass him by and has tried to make the most out of his life, both personally and professionally. “Don't be trapped by dogma – which is living with the results of other people's thinking,” he advises. “Don't let the noise of others' opinions drown out your own inner voice.” Instead, everyone should have the courage to follow their heart and intuition; “they somehow already know what you truly want to become.”

Jobs learned the importance of making the most of his time when he was diagnosed with cancer in 2004. After doctors found a tumor on his pancreas, he was told that it was incurable and that he should expect to live no longer than three to six months. “My doctor advised me to go home and get my affairs in order, which is doctor’s code for prepare to die,” recalls Jobs. It was only after a biopsy later that day revealed that his cancer was a rare form that could be cured with surgery that Jobs knew he would have a second chance at life.

When Jobs spoke at the summer convocation of Stanford University in 2005, one of the major points he tried to hammer home to these students who were about to embark on their own careers was to constantly be aware of the fragility of life. “Remembering that I'll be dead soon is the most important tool I've ever encountered to help me make the big choices in life,” he says now. “Because 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.”

Making the most of his time, both personally and professionally, has helped Jobs not only become one of the most successful entrepreneurs of the 20th century, but has also let him live his dream life. He is both a workaholic and a devoted family man and never loses any opportunity to improve upon both. Since facing death, Jobs has gained new aspirations for what he can accomplish in life. “Remembering that you are going to die is the best way I know to avoid the trap of thinking you have something to lose,” he says. “You are already naked. There is no reason not to follow your heart.”





Lesson 3 Seize The Day

Like this article? Share it with your friends

Article Feedback
 Article Feedback No article feedback found.
  Leave Your Feedback
article feedback

Article Feedback

To learn more about the Evan Elite Author Program please contact us.

Famous Entrepreneur Video
Steve Jobs Video - Here we see Steve Jobs delivering his commencement speech to the graduates of Stanford University. In it he talks about getting fired from Apple in 1985, life & death.
Famous Entrepreneur Video

Steve Jobs Picture Steve Jobs Newsletter
Get our free newsletter to learn more about Steve Jobs and other famous entrepreneurs!

Name:
Email:





Evan Elite Authors
Jay Kubassek  
John Alexander  
John Power  
Evan Elite Authors

Become An Author
Have you written articles that would be of value to entrepreneurs? Become an expert on our site by publishing them! Expose yourself to a wide audience, drive more traffic to your website and get more sales! Click Here for details.
Become An Author

Evan's Latest Video
Modeling the Masters: Learn the true secrets behind Walt Disney's business success factors & grow your company! Video produced by Phanta Media
Evan's Latest Video

Business Opportunities
"Learn straight from Evan how you can Make a Full Time Income (And More) from a Website"

How to Start An Online Business

Click Here To Learn More
Business Opportunities



Evan's Newsletter
Get advice & tips from famous business owners, new articles by entrepreneur experts, my latest website updates, & special sneak peaks at what's to come!
Name:
Email:
Evan`s Newsletter

Free Downloads
Accessing Capital Icon Accessing Capital
Website Planning Icon Website Planning
A Clean Desk Icon A Clean Desk
Choice of Forum Icon Choice of Forum
Purpose of Value Propositions Icon Purpose of Value Propositions
Free Downloads - Complete List

Entrepreneur Tools and Guides
Top 50 Productivity Blogs To Watch In 2008
Top 50 Productivity Blogs
Top Blogs To Watch In 2008
 
Top 50 Diversion Blogs
Top 50 Diversion Blogs
Top Diversion Blogs of 2009
 
Entrepreneur Tools and Guides

SEO For Africa
SEO For Africa
BENADETHA NYAMOGA Dar es Salaam, Tanzania,
BENADETHA NYAMOGA
Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
SEO For Africa

If I Were A Startup...
Frank Cianciulli, $2.3 to $7.5 Mil in 2 years
Frank Cianciulli
$2.3 to $7.5 Mil in 2 years
Robert Iachetta, $372k to $921k in 2 years
Robert Iachetta
$372k to $921k in 2 years
If I Were A Startup... - Complete List

Famous Entrepreneurs
George Lucas, Lucasfilm
George Lucas
Lucasfilm
Dana White, UFC
Famous Entrepreneurs - Complete List

Entrepreneur Advice
Zig Ziglar, See You At The Top
Zig Ziglar
See You At The Top
Tom Peters, In Search Of Excellence
Tom Peters
In Search Of Excellence
Entrepreneur Advice - Complete List

Popular Articles
(Premium Authors)

     Here's why you should build creativity in the workplace.
By Donna Williams
     Make your meetings more productive with these three simple steps.
By Donna Williams
     How should you handle advertising in a recession?
By Donna Williams

Have A Suggestion?
Toronto Salsa Classes / Toronto Salsa Lessons Email us your ideas on how to make our website more valuable! Thank you Sharon from Toronto Salsa Lessons / Classes for your suggestions to make the newsletter look like the website and profile younger entrepreneurs like Jennifer Lopez and Sean Combs!
Have A Suggestion?

More Evan Carmichael
More Information