In 2004, Steve Jobs, CEO of Apple Computer, was diagnosed with pancreas cancer. The doctor told him it was almost certainly incurable, and told him he no more than 3 to 6 months to live.
What would you do if you were told today you had less than 3 to 6 months to live?
The reality of death, limited time and chances is a very real one we have to face every single day. We tend to forget, and bask in the glow of our comfort zones, letting each day go by and conveniently forget that one day, this too shall pass.
Jobs went through that whole day without that illusion. Later that evening, a few cells were extracted from the tumor…and it turned out to be a very rare form of pancreas cancer that could be cured with surgery.
Steve is fine now, and is giving the 2007 MacWorld Keynote in a few hours’ time.
In my Start Your New Year In The Best Direction post I decided my leading word for the year is going to be courage, and I love Steve’s quote about his experience from his Stanford University 2005 commencement address; it describes courage perfectly and I strive to live up to it:
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.
Watch his commencement address here:
January 11th, 2007 at 12:23 am
I just saw the keynote speech…Steve Jobs unleashes another revolution.
On Jan 1st (my bday too) i said that this year would be year of courage as well, as i will have to make decisions that will significantly impact my life. Here’s to courage
I was so inspired by Steve Jobs speech, when Adam read it during POE. “Stay foolish, stay hungry” along that line. It’s so true; even though society frowns down apon fools, that’s the only way to stretch yourself..you gotta be couragous and take risks!
January 11th, 2007 at 10:44 pm
Happy belated birthday David! Maybe I’ll see you when I go back visiting this coming PoE, do me a favor by saying hi if you see me
That speech by Jobs is one of my all-time favorites, standard Jobs style: succinct and inspiring.
January 13th, 2007 at 8:43 am
Alvin,
Thank you so much for this blog. It’s message is one that I needed to hear and see today, especially today.
January 13th, 2007 at 10:27 am
It was a master speech, that circulated widely among Stanford alumni.
Not too different from the great book The Power of Now. Or The Alchemist.
In short: what can I try doing today that will engage all my energies and passions, bringing the best out for me. A simple question, that requires discipline to be asked every morning, and acted upon every day, beating the many distractions.
Enjoy the weekend
January 15th, 2007 at 9:21 pm
Thanks Elona, thanks Alvaro! Gosh, I haven’t checked in with your blogs for a while, work has been very busy. I pray things are well with both of you, and your missions
January 17th, 2007 at 12:26 pm
Hi Alvin,
Things are going very well. Step by step. We are launching the brain fitness carnival this Friday, so if you want to submit some post (like the excellent one on the brain 2-3 months back) we still have time. Good luck to you too