Life is a journey filled with uncertainties, but also incredible opportunities for growth and discovery. Inspired by Steve Jobs’ profound commencement speech, here are three life lessons reframed to guide your daily actions and infuse purpose into “What To Do Today”. These aren’t just grand philosophies; they are practical approaches to shape a more fulfilling and impactful day, every day.
1. Connect the Dots Today: Embrace Curiosity and Trust Your Path
In his first story, Jobs recounts dropping out of college and stumbling into a calligraphy class. At the time, it seemed pointless, but it later became instrumental in the beautiful typography of the Macintosh. His message is clear: “You can’t connect the dots looking forward; you can only connect them looking backward.”
What to do today:
- Be open to new experiences: Even if something doesn’t seem directly relevant to your immediate goals, explore it if it sparks your curiosity. Take that online course, read that book outside your usual genre, or strike up a conversation with someone new. You never know how these seemingly disparate dots might connect in the future.
- Trust your intuition: Jobs emphasized trusting your gut, destiny, life, or karma. Today, listen to that inner voice guiding you. If something feels right, even without logical explanation, consider pursuing it. This trust is the foundation for discovering unexpected paths and opportunities.
- Reflect on past connections: Take a few moments to look back at your own experiences. Can you see connections between past events and your present situation? Recognizing these patterns builds confidence in trusting your journey and helps you appreciate the value of every experience.
Connecting the dots today is about fostering a mindset of openness and trust. It’s about recognizing that even seemingly insignificant actions can contribute to a larger, more meaningful picture in the long run.
2. Love What You Do Today: Find Passion and Purpose in Your Daily Work
Jobs’ second story revolves around love and loss, specifically being fired from Apple, the company he founded. Instead of succumbing to despair, he rediscovered his passion and started NeXT and Pixar, leading to even greater achievements and eventually returning to Apple. His powerful takeaway: “The only way to do great work is to love what you do.”
What to do today:
- Identify your passions: What truly excites you? What activities make you lose track of time? Even if your current job isn’t your dream, identify aspects of your day where you can infuse your passions. This might be through creative problem-solving, connecting with colleagues on a deeper level, or taking on projects that align with your interests.
- Seek purpose in your tasks: Every task, no matter how small, contributes to a larger goal. Connect your daily activities to your overall purpose. Understanding how your work contributes to something meaningful, whether it’s your team’s success, customer satisfaction, or personal growth, fuels motivation and job satisfaction.
- Don’t settle, keep exploring: Jobs’ advice is clear: “If you haven’t found it yet, keep looking. Don’t settle.” Today, evaluate your level of fulfillment. Are you genuinely engaged in what you do? If not, consider small steps you can take to explore new avenues, learn new skills, or seek out opportunities that better align with your passions.
Loving what you do today isn’t about grand gestures; it’s about cultivating a daily practice of finding passion and purpose in your work. It’s about bringing enthusiasm and dedication to every task, knowing that you are contributing meaningfully and moving closer to your true calling.
3. Live Each Day Today: Embrace Impermanence and Focus on What Truly Matters
Jobs’ third story confronts mortality directly, sharing his cancer diagnosis and the profound impact it had on his perspective. He realized that facing death clarifies priorities and eliminates distractions. His poignant message: “Your time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life.”
What to do today:
- Practice mindful awareness: Start your day with a moment of reflection on the preciousness of time. Throughout the day, bring awareness to your actions and choices. Are you spending your time on activities that truly matter to you? Mindfulness helps you align your daily actions with your values.
- Prioritize ruthlessly: Jobs’ daily question, “If today were the last day of my life, would I want to do what I am about to do today?” is a powerful filter for prioritizing. Identify your most important tasks and focus your energy on them. Eliminate distractions and say no to commitments that don’t align with your priorities.
- Follow your heart and intuition: Jobs urges, “Have the courage to follow your heart and intuition.” Today, make decisions that resonate with your inner voice, not just external pressures or expectations. This requires courage, but it leads to a more authentic and fulfilling life.
Living each day today is about embracing the present moment and making conscious choices aligned with your values and aspirations. It’s about recognizing the impermanence of life and focusing your energy on what truly brings you joy, purpose, and connection.
By integrating these three lessons into “what to do today”, you can transform your daily routine into a purposeful journey of discovery, passion, and meaningful living, inspired by the enduring wisdom of Steve Jobs.
