Thank You, Steve

This is the post I never wanted to write. For a couple of years, it had seemed inevitable that one day I would write about the death of my hero, Steve Jobs. There is no point in writing about his death, but about his life—not the companies he founded, the products he helped create, or his vision of technology, but his example in life.

To me, Steve Jobs is proof that it is possible to think differently, go against the current, and remain consistent with what you believe. Reality does not matter, because you must create your own reality, and with a little luck that reality will also make others happy. Steve created his reality; he created a world in which computers became “bicycles for the mind,” one in which people can walk around with a small glass computer in their pocket and instantly access humanity’s entire public store of knowledge.

Steve inspires me because, for years, whenever I have to make a decision, I ask myself: what would Steve do? The answer always leads me to be consistent with what I believe should be, not what others believe should be.

There is something Steve Jobs said once that I have adopted as my creed and that I want to share with you today:

Remembering that I will die soon helps me make life’s big choices: expectations, pride, and fear fall away before death, leaving what matters. Remembering that you will die avoids the belief that you have something to lose. You are already naked; follow your heart.

Translation: Remembering that I will die soon is the most important tool I have found for making decisions in life. Almost everything—external expectations, pride, fear of ridicule and failure—fades in the face of death, leaving only what matters. Remembering that you are going to die is the best way to avoid the trap of thinking you have something to lose. You are already naked. There is no reason not to follow your heart.