03 Apr Arguably the Best Career Guidance of All Time: My Favorite Talk and Video by Steve Jobs
My Birthday Tradition…
Today is my 33rd birthday, so I thought I’d share a little tradition with you.
Every year I like to take at least a few minutes to look back on what’s led me to today. A million things are always at play, but this time around I thought I’d share a talk from the late Steve Jobs. It deserves disproportionate credit in me sitting right here, having the privilege of sharing this with 100,000 of you from all over the world, especially as we get ready to board our one-way flight to Amsterdam to continue our world tour and hang out with a bunch of you in real life!
I can’t believe I get to call this work. I’m so incredibly grateful for what Live Your Legend has become for all of us.
I’ve seen Steve Jobs’ 2005 Stanford Commencement Speech dozens of times. I keep it saved on my iPhone, and for a while, I watched the video monthly. I recommend the same practice to you, and whether you’ve seen it before or not (I assume many of you have), take a few minutes right now to watch it again.
It’s one of the most influential videos I’ve ever seen, and I’d probably call it the best career talk of all time.
Enjoy…
One of my favorite quotes…
“You can’t connect the dots looking forward; you can only connect them looking back. 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. That will make all the difference.”
And another…
“Your time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life. Don’t be trapped by dogma, which is living 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 already want to become. Everything else is secondary.”
But there are so many.
Give the video a watch and tell me your favorite line in the comments on the blog.
You all add more to these birthdays than you realize. Thank you for that.
Stay hungry. Stay foolish…
-Scott
World Tour Update: We’re back in California for a wedding this weekend and then catching a one-way flight to Amsterdam next week. If you’re around, come join us for our Amsterdam LYL Local event.
I also have a big wedding toast to give this weekend – I might be a tad nervous, which is another reason I’m re-watching a little Steve Jobs. 😉
The Importance of Being a Beginner (and Leveraging Superpowers) | Reading For Your Success
Posted at 10:51h, 28 December[…] jobs, in his 2005 Stanford Commencement Speech recalls one of the most character-building experiences of his life. It was the mid 80′s and […]
antonia
Posted at 06:16h, 03 JanuaryThank you for the interesting and inspiring things you post! sometimes when I feel low your newsletters give me a little hope:)
Scott
Posted at 11:05h, 13 JanuaryAwesome Antonia! That’s exactly what I’m here for.
I hope you’ll stick around for the adventure!
laurent
Posted at 13:52h, 03 OctoberHello,
I love this video. I am maried with three chieldren living in an house with a swimming pool. I am well paid for my job but in fact I know that I am not doing what I love. I would like to find this passion without any doubt like Steeve did very young. I will follow is adviced and keep looking for what I love.
Thanks
Scott
Posted at 12:49h, 05 OctoberI hear you Laurent. I can’t wait to show you How to Live Off Your Passion!
Unni Marie
Posted at 14:31h, 03 OctoberThank you so much Scott for sharing this video. The message is priceless and timeless.
Scott
Posted at 12:50h, 05 OctoberGlad you liked it. I always keep it extremely close to home…
How Steve Jobs Made Me An Entrepreneur: 19 Lesson and Quotes Worth Living | Live Your Legend
Posted at 05:02h, 19 October[…] who’s recently watched his 2005 Stanford Commencement Speech, will realize just how aligned the purpose and beliefs of Live Your Legend are with the words he […]
Olivia
Posted at 10:20h, 19 OctoberWhat an amazingly inspiring man. Was so great to see this speech again. Currently trying to work all his advice into my own life.
Greg Denning
Posted at 12:38h, 19 OctoberThanks Scott! I had never heard this speech. I, like you, was really affected by his death. What an inspiration he was; he literally changed the world.
And his death is another great reminder that we all need to live life on purpose, sing our song and really live a life that matters! Let’s get out and live an exciting, fulfilling and meaningful life.
Let’s make a difference!
Ivan
Posted at 16:53h, 02 NovemberR.I.P.
Annie Andre
Posted at 00:02h, 06 AprilWhat an AMAZING SPEECH!!! Especially the first story about being in college and not seeing the value in college and trusting that the dots will connect somehow in the future. Thank you for sharing this…so so much…
Lisa Skinner
Posted at 01:59h, 03 JuneHi Scott,
Thanks so much for posting this! We all need this inspiration in these daunting times. He was an amazing person, and the world is a bit smaller and grayer without him.
Izzy
Posted at 22:26h, 04 JuneThis is so darn powerful. In particular, it has become extremely powerful for me as I have become aware in my won life that the dots don’t connect until after the fact.
This has helped me move forward in my life during many challenging times. In fact, I currently live in Japan and am pursuing my childhood dream – to become a ninja :). Sometimes, I am not totally sure how I am going to turn this into a viable source of income but I keep moving forward as I strongly believe there is a way. I simply have to find it. Even if it doesn’t quite work out, I know the learning I am gaining from this experience will be something that is applicable across the board.
Monja
Posted at 10:07h, 29 SeptemberWhat an inspiring awesome, darn powerful speech. I sat here listening to Steve thinking all the time that he is so right.
Thank Scott for sending me this email today, it was what i just needed. We are one day after the finish of our newest site, together with all the doubts if the things i do are good but yes, if i had just one more day to live i would most probably sit here together with my mum (who works with me) developing this site because it makes me feel that i did something important for the people in my life and everywhere.
The 8 Step Process to Figure Out Your Life + Free Workbook | BrightLittleSocks
Posted at 02:11h, 01 November[…] “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.” […]
Jeffrey Friend
Posted at 09:42h, 24 NovemberBrosef, this is ridiculous man! I’m not sure what made you pull that idea from 2005, but thank you for doing it. Timeless information, and right in line with what you’re trying to do here on your site. It seems as if this “follow your passion” and “do what you love” movement is getting a lot of criticism lately, so it’s really important that you’re here keeping it alive and REAL. Sure, it’s people who tried it and failed (and then didn’t get back up again and keep going), but those naysayers have a voice and people are listening. I just wanted to throw you a quick note and say thank you for taking a stand for humanity man, it’s few and far between.
brand
Posted at 14:26h, 26 DecemberJust proves the old adage. Its an ill wind that blows no good. When I was kidnapped, my parents snapped into action. They rented out my room. Woody Allen Born 1935
Alan Turner
Posted at 08:23h, 30 DecemberHi Scott, thanks for this. I have only ever watched snippets of this video, never the whole thing before and you are right, it is one of the most inspirational and profound speeches I have ever watched. He was an amazing man.
Too true though, follow your passion, stay hungry and stay foolish, a real pity more of us don’t actually do it!
Thanks again for reminding us, this video will go in my favourites list.
Peter Sleeckx
Posted at 18:12h, 09 MarchLet’s Thrive
Christ
Posted at 06:45h, 05 JanuarySteve Jobs certainly was a driven, visionary human being. Of course, he didn’t really invent the iPad. He didn’t labor away in some DaVinci-like workshop and come out one day with iPad held aloft. Tens of thousands of engineers, programmers, industrial designers, materials scientists, etc. developed and refined all the components of the iPad over many years. So why aren’t we inspired by them? Why don’t we know their names?
Tim Sparks
Posted at 13:45h, 12 JanuaryPerhaps but would any of those mentioned above had worked in their DaVinci-like workshops have made the iPad with out his vision? I don’t think so. No Steve jobs = No Mac, iPad, iPhone, iPod.
But I do think they deserve credit for the great products. 🙂
Tim Sparks
Posted at 13:41h, 12 JanuaryI love this speech. Sometimes the road is hard but the truth is that you don’t know when or where you’ll meet your end. Don’t put it off. Live your dreams. Who knows how many of the students actually listened to his advice.
Here is another great video that I keep close at hand.
“Why You Will Fail to Have a Great Career” Larry Smith
This is very powerful. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iKHTawgyKWQ
He even mentions SJ’s commencement speech.
Annie
Posted at 04:52h, 12 MayBut Steve Jobs dies in the end because he followed his personal intuition and refuse further surgical operation on the basis of his Buddhist beliefs.
Peter Van
Posted at 17:23h, 02 SeptemberVery needed speech for me. I too am a college drop out and have had several jobs in my life. I needed to be reminded the dots do connect and don’t settle and it has helped me to really search and find what i love to do… I am in the process of searching for what i would love to do
Steve Jobs in one of his best performances | light.warrior
Posted at 04:50h, 18 September[…] https://liveyourlegend.net/steve-jobs-2005-stanford-commencement-speech-dont-settle/ […]
Persis Shanker
Posted at 05:31h, 13 OctoberThis has been one of my greatest icons in the world. Forget that so many people said he was a jerk. He only was because he stuck by his vision and if you have a vision, you will do anything to achieve it. Sometimes, the ugly has to emerge to produce something that will change mankind. No hero was totally 100% perfect. We are humans. We have our ‘evils’ and our weaknesses.
Mitch K
Posted at 04:44h, 29 DecemberHe was a cunt to anyone he considered to be “beneath” him. Nobody has a right to do that. It doesn’t matter what your vision is. Would you think he was wonderful and full of vision if you had been on the receiving end?
Caroline Al
Posted at 07:24h, 03 AprilI agree with this. Steve Jobs (from what I’ve seen) looks like he were very unpleasant to work for, exceeding the “I’m a genious, I don’t have time for people” line by actively abusing his staff verbally.
If I may say so, your usage of the word ‘cunt’ kindof undermines your message for me, because this word is indeed used a lot by people to express that they find somebody (usually a woman) beneath them and I bet people don’t like to be on the receiving end of that either.
Marc Blanchard
Posted at 13:09h, 11 NovemberThis man had a clear vision of what he wanted to accomplish. And when he didn’t, he went back to the drawing board to redefine it.
I believe vision is the first step towards realizing your dreams. The bigger the vision, the more resources and opportunities present themselves in order to achieve that vision. I believe that’s where courage and tenacity needs to come to the table in order to begin manifesting that dream. Yes… It still requires hard work!
I would love to hear others thoughts on the importance of vision!
Carlson Chimangha
Posted at 09:59h, 01 DecemberHey Scott, thanks for sharing this video; it is so inspiring. But I do not exactly understand the meaning of what he says at the end. What doe he mean by “….stay hungry, stay foolish”?
Please someone should enlighten me more on that.
Jim Mondry
Posted at 13:31h, 22 DecemberCarlson,
The “Stay Hungry, Stay Foolish” was intended as inspiration to it’s audience, who understood that they were looking for something new, something that society was not offering them (hence the “hungry”), but also that these people would not be able to find out what they are looking for by following the known, acceptable paths. To truly find the meaningful things these people were hungry for, they were going to have to appear foolish by throwing away promising careers as investment bankers, and lawyers, or other well respected roles, and were going to have to take up risky propositions to find what was truly meaningful.
Stay hungry – want what you want, and let that desire and passion drive you
Stay foolish – don’t follow the well worn paths, and forge your own.
I hope that helps enlighten a little.
Julio
Posted at 21:47h, 26 JanuaryThanks for these amazing videos and all the help scott, I’m only 14 years old but every person I know is always pressuring me to become something big like a doctor or a lawyer and truthly I hate that stuff. I feel like im burning myself out trying to live up to the expectations of others, this vodeo has really helped me think about what I want to do, im not 100% sure but I feel closer now then ive ever been
Anouscka
Posted at 03:27h, 24 MarchThank you very much for sending this speech. At this moment I am starting my new business. I start working as a health consultant. Coaching poeple into good health by learning them about reducing their stress and eating healthy food.
I do not know what the future will bring me but It feels so good starting something where your heart is. (Apolegies for the typo’s English is not my first language)
baby photos
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Chris
Posted at 14:38h, 14 JuneAwesome. Thanks for sharing. Hoping at age 60 it’s not too late to start again!
quotes on broken hearts
Posted at 18:30h, 17 JuneNo matter if some one searches for his required thing, so he/she
wishes to be available that in detail, therefore that thing is maintained over here.
princess
Posted at 18:28h, 21 JuneHave you ever considered publishing an e-book or guest authoring on other
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Alicia
Posted at 08:46h, 08 JulyI have enjoyed all the articles and info on your website and yet still can’t figure out what I should be doing. I’ve narrowed it down but continually sway from one thing to the next as I chat to different people and get motivated by different things. I have a love of animals but an interest in sports coaching as well. Just can’t decide, it’s been a long dilemma!
Hamida
Posted at 20:46h, 02 AugustThanks for the very inspiring video, I may not be a user of Apple products but I admire and respect Steve Jobs vision and passion and how he revolutionised the media and mobile industry. Still working on my passions. Thank you
My favorite
Posted at 20:13h, 24 AugustI have this paragraph with his photo in my bedroom & this quote flashes every time!
“Your time is limited so don’t waste it by leading a life as a result of someone else’s thinking.
Don’t let the noise of others opinions drown your inner voice, Your intuition somehow already knows what you are to become, Just follow it with your faith”..
Thank you,
Mahesh
Jackie Hinton
Posted at 08:55h, 02 Septemberlove this post ur szite gives me the boost i need to keep giong.I hope to join the poverty movement since I’m an aspiring social activist.Once again truly love this post.
Stella
Posted at 13:32h, 19 OctoberThis idea in this video is what I will ponder until my thoughts are simplified. I constantly have this on the front – how can I transition my career to the work that I am meant to do? In my current work, the challenge and growth are missing. This is such a great video, and great to hear this from Jobs. Thank you for sharing this with us.
Yatin Khulbe
Posted at 06:34h, 03 AprilSteve jobs was a real gem. He had a vision for a better world. I simply love his way of living life in a broad manner.
My best quote is ‘time is limited’. Ya, we must look out for our own journey only. We are not here to live someone else’s life. There is no problem in learning from others. But, we must look within to understand our real worth. Just expose your inner treasure to realize the vast pool of resources within.
Jeremy Ng
Posted at 07:12h, 03 AprilSteve Jobs is nothing without his team. True. But without Steve Jobs, there would be no vision. Which in turn would mean no products.
However, I think having to know the names of 10,000 engineers, programmers, etc. would be quite ridiculous, no? I’d rather associate the brand with just the man with the vision (the leader, Steve Jobs). It’s the job of the leader to give credit to all those involved in turning his vision into a reality and to express appreciation for the value that they add.
I believe Simon Sinek (author of Leaders Eat Last) would agree with me.
Mike Goncalves
Posted at 07:25h, 03 AprilHappy Birthday man! One of my favorite talks of all time as well. Interestingly enough, I just watched it yesterday 🙂 So many great, great messages throughout the entire speech. Several of which you’ve already highlighted. My favorite though has to be, “have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly already want to become. Everything else is secondary.” Follow your heart, your intuition… trust the dots will connect down the road. Take action, not letting the noise of other’s opinions drown out your own inner voice. Man, I could go on and on. Have a great day Scott – cheers to you!
Gundum
Posted at 08:54h, 03 AprilSteve Jobs is my hero, and I admire him greatly. Its being a few years since I last read Steve Jobs’ Biography so I forgot most of what that book taught me. This video reminded me that I need to be myself and not live to satisfy other people’s expectations. Thank you Scott for sharing this video, which was by the way, a very nice video.
shi_305
Posted at 21:49h, 03 April“Sometimes life hits you in the head with a brick. Don’t lose faith. I’m convinced that the only thing that kept me going was that I loved what I did. You’ve got to find what you love. And that is as true for your work as it is for your lovers.”
I recently had the “awful tasting medicine”, but with time I’m beginning to understand where it was taking me. Things are still slowly unfolding in my life now, but to truly understand what all this means requires faith and the resolve to rise above the defeat. I will take nothing less than a glorious success. When my heart is open, things will enter as they are filtered by my faith. I see things differently now. I still am stuck at the job I dislike, but I know now that my remaining time here can simply be a buffer for me to prep myself before taking a leap into my next chapter. The next chapter full of excitement, challenges, passion and love. Life’s medicine, as it turns out, is taking me closer to LOVE.
Amir
Posted at 01:40h, 06 AprilThank you Scott for sharing this inspiring speech with us. His words touched me, my body reacted with goose bumbs which for me is an indicator that my body resonates with it. One of my favorite quotes is: “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 to not follow your heart.” I wish you and Chelsea a lot of fun and inspiration during the world tour. Together we can make do better. Do you come to Berlin?
Robert Crouse
Posted at 16:48h, 29 AprilStay hungry…stay foolish…
The world of knowledge
Posted at 10:53h, 08 August[…] up my best Spanish toast in an attempt to communicate the above, that I could really feel what Steve Jobs meant when he said you can only connect the dots looking back. They rarely make sense looking […]
Michaël Cousin
Posted at 15:04h, 12 NovemberSo great !
MIchel seporghan
Posted at 12:31h, 13 FebruaryThis is probably one of the best speeches that I have ever heard. I love the fact that he was able to use his one success and failure as a pilar for how it works. I really love the idea of connecting the dots due to the fact that most people try to connect the dots while they are in the journey. I love how he says that it could only be done by looking back at our success that we have accomplished. I also love how he says that throughout like we will fail, but we have to be willing to pick ourselves up and move past it. don’t let it define you.
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Posted at 23:40h, 16 March[…] Arguably the Best Career Guidance of All Time: My Favorite Talk by Steve Jobs […]