Every one needs a boost of inspiration every once in a while—or if you’re going through upheaval, many times in one day—and there are lots of places to get it: books, supporters, quotes, affirmations, etc.
One of my most important touchstones for the last year has been Steve Jobs’s 2005 Stanford commencement speech. I love this speech because he talks about three truths in his life, which really are universal truths. I return to this speech when I need a reminder of why I’m doing the hard things I’m doing, or that I don’t need to know exactly where I’m going. It’s gotten me through some tough times.
- “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.”
- Sometimes the worst thing that can happen to you is also the best thing.
- We’re all going to die, so we better make life worth living.
But don’t take my word for it, read or watch it yourself:
Transcript of Steve Jobs’s 2005 Stanford commencement speech
YouTube video of Steve Jobs’s 2005 Stanford commencement speech
Get Social