Earlier this week I found myself listening to the Stanford commencement speech Steve Jobs delivered back in 2005.
I listened to it while working out.
Not your typical “get pumped up” workout music.
It was part of a YouTube compilation video containing inspiring speeches that I decided to listen to while working out.
Getting Pumped Up
While it wasn’t your average “get pumped up” kind of music, it did get me pumped up.
The messages Steve Jobs delivers in his speech are awesome.
If you’ve never listening to it, do yourself a huge favor and listen to it right here, right now.
It’s a 15 minute speech and worth every second to listen to.
It could very well be a game-changer for you.
I’ve listened to it now 6 times in the past 5 days.
Why?
Because there’s one particular message he delivers that helps us answer the following questions…
Why?
Why did “that” happen to me, whatever “that” may be?
Why am I doing what I’m doing today?
Why am I striving for what I’m striving for tomorrow?
You ever ask yourself any one of these three questions?
Maybe you’ve asked yourself one of them, or maybe all of them.
I know I’ve asked myself these questions (still do) many times.
Why Did “That” Happen To Me, Whatever “That” May Be?
Ever wonder why the heck something happened or didn’t go the way you had hoped for?
Maybe it was spraining your ankle while training for your first marathon that kept you from completing it.
Maybe if was taking a fitness class you had no desire to take but you did it anyways.
Maybe it was being let go from a job.
Maybe it was getting dumped or divorced.
Something that left you asking “why”?
Why did that happen?
Why me?
Why now?
Connecting The Dots
This is how Steve Jobs answered these questions during his speech…
“You can’t connect the dots looking forward; you can only connect them looking backwards.
“You have to trust that the dots will somehow connect in your future.”
“You have to trust in something, your gut, destiny, life, karma, whatever.”
Because believing that the dots will connect down the road will give you the confidence to follow your heart, even when it leads you off the well worn path, and that will make all the difference.”
I don’t know about you, but I often find myself asking “why did that happen?”
What am I doing?
Why am I doing this?
What I realize is that the answers to these questions won’t reveal themselves or make much sense to me at this time, but eventually they will.
Eventually they will.
“You have to trust in something, your gut, destiny, life, karma, whatever.”
Trust in yourself and in what you’re out to accomplish.
Whether it’s weight loss, getting rid of that annoying belly fat, being leaner, more fit, having more energy, more confidence, running your first race, checking off a bucket list item, whatever it is.
Embrace all that comes your way, the good, the bad, the ugly, and keep moving forward.
Cry, be pissy, throw a giant marshmallow as hard as you can against the wall, whatever…
Just Keep Moving Forward
Avoid trying to make sense of it all when things don’t go as planned.
Instead, continue to trust that life is happening for you and not to you.
Continue to trust the process and keep doing the work.
Continue to trust in yourself and in your ability to make it happen.
Continue to trust that the dots will make sense looking backwards.
Whatever goal you’re currently striving for, keep striving.
Every day, every dot, even the “what the f*ck” dots are getting us closer to our goal.
Do the work.
Trust the dots.
Keep moving forward.
Cheers!
Mike
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I’m so happy you shared this podcast! I have never personally listened to one of Steve Job’s podcasts before but now you’ve inspired me to do so. Life isn’t about instant results- you have to keep plugging away. That being said, you have to also remind yourself that everything will make sense in the end.
Each step you take is important when you are striving towards your goals. That’s why I think its so important to know all your options along that journey. I have a website (ownthemeal.com) that allows people to know all about the meal choices they are making. Having the knowledge is only half the battle though.