In an inspiring commencement address today, Apple co-founder Steve Jobs gave a lot of wisdom and inspiration to Stanford University’s graduating class of 2005. Speaking to a packed stadium of eager graduates and proud families, Jobs shared personal stories and life lessons that left a lasting impact on all in attendance.
Addressing the audience with his trademark charisma, Jobs reflected on his own life experiences, including his journey with Apple and the lessons he learned along the way. He recounted his early days, dropping out of college and finding Apple with Steve Wozniak in his parents’ garage, a decision that has ultimately changed the course of technology.
Jobs openly shared one of the pivotal moments of his life, his departure from Apple after being fired from the company he co-founded. “I didn’t see it then, but it turned out that getting fired from Apple was the best thing that could have ever happened to me,” Jobs stated. “The heaviness of being successful was replaced by the lightness of being a beginner again, less sure about everything. It freed me to enter one of the most creative periods of my life.”
Throughout his address, Jobs emphasized the importance of embracing failure and setbacks as opportunities for growth and reinvention. “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 declared. “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. 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.”
Jobs urged the graduating class to pursue their passions fearlessly, to embrace uncertainty, and to never settle. Drawing from his own experiences, he encouraged them to chase their dreams relentlessly and to never be afraid to take risks.
His message resonated deeply with the graduating class, many of who found relief and inspiration in his words as they prepared to embark on the next chapter of their lives.
As the ceremony drew to a close, Jobs left the graduates with a final piece of advice: “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 others’ 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.”
With thunderous applause, the graduating class of 2005 gave a farewell to Steve Jobs, their hearts and minds filled with inspiration and determination to make their mark on the world. Today, Stanford University not only celebrated the achievements of its graduates but also welcomed them into a future filled with unlimited possibilities, guided by the wisdom of one of the greatest visionaries of our time.
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