Last Updated on May 2, 2022 by Chin Yi Xuan
If there is one defining individual that has a heavy influence towards some of my biggest life decisions, it would be Steve Jobs.
If there is a trigger point, it was Steve Jobs’ 2005 Stanford Commencement Address and his last words that have helped me made up my mind to pursue the realm of uncertainties as a learn to trade full-time and start No Money Lah.
With that, here are some key pearls of wisdom that I’ve picked up from the legendary Steve Jobs:
p
(1) Death is a destination shared by everyone.
If you know that you are going to die tomorrow, what would you spend your last remaining day doing?
As hypothetical this question might be, this may be the hardest question that you’ve ever have to answer in life.
And if you have this question answered without a second doubt, chances are you have found the most important purpose in your life – the answer to your miseries and doubts all this while, may be just right within you.
The moment when we truly acknowledge and embrace the fact that we are going to die, our priorities in life will change drastically:
All of a sudden, the morning jam to work isn’t so frustrating anymore.
All of a sudden, getting a new luxury car may not be so important anymore.
All of a sudden, expressing your feelings towards the important someone (with the chance of getting rejected) may not be as intimidating anymore.
All of a sudden, having to have dinner with your family members every day become a precious moment in your daily life.
Once you embrace death as a part of life, things that you used to think were important aren’t as big anymore. In contrary, things and people that you have taken for granted all these while become the most important thing in life.
If knowing that death is a destination that we all share together, what would you do differently compared to what you are doing right now?
p
No one wants to die. Even people who want to go to heaven don’t want to die to get there.
And yet death is the destination we all share. No one has ever escaped it. And that is as it should be, because Death is very likely the single best invention of Life.
Steve Jobs
(2) When in doubt, follow your heart and intuition.
The irony of all misery is, deep down, we already have a decision or answer within, yet we still do the exact opposite in reality:
When you do something that you truly have no faith in, you will suffer within.
When you sell a product or services that you do not believe in, you will not find fulfillment within.
When you go for a career or degree that does not connect with you, you will not be happy within.
If you are struggling between your inner voice and what you are doing in real life, always follow your heart and intuition. They somewhat already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary.
p
For the past 33 years, I have looked in the mirror every morning and asked myself: “If today were the last day of my life, would I want to do what I am about to do today?”
And whenever the answer has been “No” for too many days in a row, I know I need to change something.
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. 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.
Steve Jobs
(3) Embrace love.
At the final moments of death, the only thing that we can bring with us are the memories precipitated by love, not all our physical riches and wealth gained throughout our lifetime.
Hence, be generous with love.
Love the people that are important to you. Spend time with them. Talk to them. Listen to what they say. Never take the people that you love for granted.
Even more important, love yourself. Be genuinely happy inside and out. Take care of your health. Fill your heart with purpose and fulfillment. Make self-love your biggest priority in life.
p
Nonstop pursuing of wealth will only turn a person into a twisted being, just like me. God gave us the senses to let us feel the love in everyone’s heart, not the illusions brought about by wealth.
The wealth I have won in my life I cannot bring with me. What I can bring is only the memories precipitated by love. That’s the true riches which will follow you, accompany you, giving you strength and light to go on. Love can travel a thousand miles. Life has no limit. Go where you want to go. Reach the height you want to reach. It is all in your heart and in your hands.
Steve Jobs
Side note…
This week’s article is truly a hard piece to produce. Seeing the tragedies happening around the world (Shootings, Plane Crashes, Earthquakes) saddened me, and I can genuinely feel the fragility of life in the moments of death and crises.
If you are reading this, I hope that this article could ease some of the pain and misery that you are going through in life. If you feel any better, even by a little, it would be the happiest thing in my life.
By any chance, do SHARE this article with your friends and family members if you find that they could benefit from it!
