The Steve Jobs Quote That Will Change Your Life

Subject: How Steve Jobs changed my life

Location: Orlando, Florida

Here is the quote:

"When you grow up you tend to get told the world is the way it is and you're life is just to live your life inside the world. Try not to bash into the walls too much. Try to have a nice family, have fun, save a little money. That's a very limited life.

Life can be much broader once you discover one simple fact: Everything around you that you call life was made up by people that were no smarter than you and you can change it, you can influence it, you can build your own things that other people can use. Once you learn that, you'll never be the same again. " - Steve Jobs

I first heard the quote when I read Walter Isaacson's biography about Steve Jobs (click here).

I thought to myself..."wow that's a great quote" and just continued reading. I had numerous insights reading that book and it really changed the way I interact with and lead groups of people. At the time, that quote, didn't do much.

Within the last year, the true meaning of this quote actually hit home in a very powerful way. It has changed the way I view goals, success and fulfilling our role as creators on this earth and not a just staying as a consumer.

I am convinced that part of defeating our inner Enemy  requires us to step into our role as a creator. No more consuming everything from the outside to fill our emptiness. No more 'I'm a victim to fate' mentality.

Today, we will break down this quote and how you can apply it to your life.

"When you grow up you tend to get told the world is the way it is and you're life is just to live your life inside the world."

If you have every worked in a company or corporation.

Think back to the time when you just started.

You come in, go through orientation, see how things are done and immediately attempt to 'fit in' to the culture. This is how things have always been done and that's how they will continue to be handled. The company, the environment is static. 

Understanding human nature, this makes sense. We typically don't like change. The more change that happens, the higher possibility of threat.

Change can bring adversity, challenge and failure. 

So the question we must ask is, why risk all of this in order to change things?

I mean, if something has worked consistently... a new idea doesn't necessarily mean it will be improved?

The reality: The only fundamental truth of the universe is change. 

Everything is changing on a moment by moment basis. We can understand this through the lens of physics and how all the atoms and molecules are constantly moving and changing. 

Nothing truly is static, everything is always changing. Change is the only guarantee. 

So by avoiding change at all costs, we are going against the true nature of the world.

Connecting this with Steve's, "just to live your life inside the world" is actually a very risky move to begin with.

By neglecting change and attempting to 'fit in' you are guaranteeing a small life.

"Try not to bash into the walls too much. Try to have a nice family, have fun, save a little money. That's a very limited life."

There's the whole idea that we should aim for the sky so we can fall onto the clouds. It's a little bit corny, but it seems true.

If our aim for example is to live a truly meaningful life where everything you do matters.

If that's our north star or 'sky' than even landing in the clouds and having a very meaningful life is great.

However, if the 'sky' is conforming and having a 'nice life' imagine what the clouds will be?

A life knowing you didn't give it your all. A life not enjoyed and without meaning.

"Life can be much broader once you discover one simple fact: Everything around you that you call life was made up by people that were no smarter than you"

Everything around you was made up by people that were not smarter than you.

This is so absolutely true!

I recommend reading it a million times until it becomes part of your DNA. At least read it until you truly understand what he's saying.

We are bombarded by other peoples great achievements.

Wow look at Elon Musk going to Mars!... I'm not as smart as Elon.

Look at all these millionaires and famous people!.... I'm not as smart as them.

"They were born that way. They didn't work on their craft for hours every day."

It's a comparison, but justly so.

Think about the project, business or activity you want to create. Are you self-sabotaging before even beginning? Did you give up before even starting?

Did the "how will I make that happen" stop you from deciding what you actually want?

This illustration shows our inner conundrum: 

As you can see, most people find themselves in scenario 1. 

There's "you" and "everyone else".

It's time to transcend this mindset to realize that everything that you use was created by people no smarter than you. We can truly, all create. 

"And you can change it, you can influence it, you can build your own things that other people can use. Once you learn that, you'll never be the same again. "

You can write a book, you can start a business, you can create art, you can record videos, you can create value for others in any shape or form that your imagination comes up with.

Once you learn that, you'll never be the same again.

That was exactly my experience. My life will never be the same as it was before understanding the depth of this message. 

Keep in mind however, that the journey to create will not be easy. It will be filled with failures, mistakes, blood sweat and tears. 

However, what is the alternative? A life not worth lived.

If you want an ally along your path to live your best life, then join us here at Declare War Within.

-Daniel

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