📘 Long Summary of Steve Jobs’ How to Live Before You Die
In 2005, Steve Jobs, the co-founder of Apple and Pixar, gave a famous speech at Stanford University. He told the students that instead of giving big advice, he would share three simple stories from his own life. These stories were about connecting the dots, love and loss, and death.
In his first story, Jobs talked about his college life. He joined Reed College, but after six months, he dropped out because it was too expensive and he did not know what he wanted to do in life. However, he stayed as a “drop-in” student and went to classes he found interesting. One of these was a calligraphy class, where he learned about beautiful writing and different fonts. At that time, he did not know how this would be useful. But ten years later, when designing the first Macintosh computer, this knowledge helped him add wonderful fonts and typography. He explained that in life we cannot connect the dots looking forward; we can only connect them looking backward. So, we must trust our heart and believe that things will connect in the future.
In his second story, Jobs spoke about love and loss. He started Apple with his friend when he was just 20 years old, and within 10 years it became a huge company. But when he was 30, he was fired from Apple after a disagreement with the management. It was very painful, but he soon realized that he still loved his work. So he started two new companies—NeXT and Pixar. Pixar became very successful with movies like Toy Story. Later, Apple bought NeXT, and Jobs returned to the company he had once lost. Looking back, he said being fired was actually the best thing that happened to him because it gave him a chance to be creative again. He told the students that the only way to do great work is to love what you do. If you haven’t found it yet, you must keep searching and never settle.
His third story was about death. When he was 17, he read a quote that said, “If you live each day as if it were your last, someday you’ll most certainly be right.” Since then, every morning he asked himself whether he was doing what he truly wanted with his life. Many years later, he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. At first, doctors told him he had only a few months to live. But after more tests, it was found to be a rare type of cancer that could be cured with surgery. This close experience with death made him realize even more strongly that life is short. He told the students not to waste time living someone else’s life, not to be trapped by other people’s opinions, and to have the courage to follow their own heart and dreams.
In the end, Jobs gave the students a message from a book he loved called The Whole Earth Catalog. Its final page had the words: “Stay Hungry. Stay Foolish.” Jobs said he had always followed this advice in his life, and he wished the same for the students as they began their own journeys.
Simple Notes for Students in Points:
🌟 Introduction
- Steve Jobs was the co-founder of Apple and Pixar.
- In 2005, he gave a graduation speech at Stanford University.
He told three short stories from his life to teach lessons:
1. Connecting the Dots
2. Love and Loss
3. Death
1️⃣ Story One: Connecting the Dots
- Steve went to Reed College, but dropped out after 6 months.
- He stayed as a “drop-in” student and joined classes he liked, such as calligraphy.
- Later, this helped him design the Mac computer with beautiful fonts.
Lesson:
- We cannot understand life looking forward, only when we look back.
- Trust your heart, life, or destiny.
- Small things you learn may become useful in the future.
2️⃣ Story Two: Love and Loss
- Steve started Apple at 20 years old with a friend.
- After 10 years, the company was very big, but he was fired from it.
- He felt very sad, but he still loved his work.
- He started new companies: NeXT and Pixar (made Toy Story).
- Later, Apple bought NeXT and Steve returned to Apple.
Lesson:
- Failure can lead to new chances.
- To do great work, you must love what you do.
- If you haven’t found your passion, keep looking, don’t settle.
3️⃣ Story Three: Death
- When he was 17, Steve read: “Live each day as if it is your last.”
- He asked himself daily: “If today were my last day, would I do what I’m doing?”
- In 2004, he was told he had cancer and only months to live.
- Later, doctors found it was curable and he had surgery.
Lesson:
- Life is short → don’t waste it living other people’s lives.
- Don’t follow only others’ opinions.
- Have the courage to follow your heart and dreams.
🌟 Ending Message
Steve shared the words from a book called The Whole Earth Catalog:
- “Stay Hungry. Stay Foolish.”
- Meaning: always stay curious, keep learning, and never be afraid to try new things.
📝 Main Points:
- Trust life – your experiences will connect later.
- Love your work – passion makes life meaningful.
- Don’t fear failure – it can bring success later.
- Life is short – follow your own path.
- Remember: Stay Hungry, Stay Foolish.