10 Incredible Lessons from Steve Jobs

by Casey on August 28, 2011

 

Steve Jobs recently resigned as the CEO of Apple.  I like Steve Jobs.  He is a visionary, innovator, leader and a master communicator.

If you’re not familiar with Steve Jobs or have never heard him speak click here to watch his 2005 Stanford Commencement Speech.Steve-Jobs-iPhone

Here is a list of some my favorite Steve Jobs quotes.

1. The only way to do great work is to love what you do.  If you haven’t found it yet, keep looking.  Don’t settle.  As with all matters of the heart, you’ll know when you find it.

2. There’s a phrase in Buddhism, ‘Beginner’s mind.’  It’s wonderful to have a beginner’s mind.

3. Your time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life.  Don’t be trapped by dogma – which is living with the results of other people’s thinking.  Don’t let the noise of other’s opinions drown out your own inner voice.  And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition.  They somehow already know what you truly want to become.  Everything else is secondary.

4. I’m convinced that about half of what separates the successful entrepreneurs from the non-successful ones is pure perseverance.

5. Much of what I stumbled into by following my curiosity and intuition turned out to be priceless later on.

6. Don’t let the noise of others’ opinions drown out your own inner voice.

7. The secret to innovation comes from “Saying no to 1,000 things.”

8. Innovation distinguishes between a leader and a follower.

9. Simplicity wins. It’s about power and simplicity.  Steve says, “We’ve gone through the operating system and looked at everything and asked how can we simplify this and make it more powerful at the same time.”

10. You have nothing to lose.  Follow your heart.   Avoid the trap of thinking you have something to lose.  Steve says, “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.”

{ 0 comments }

10 Hurricane Survival Items and Tips

by Casey on August 26, 2011

 

Hurricane Irene is barrelling her way towards the east coast and The Weather Channel is calling her, “The Storm of a lifetime for many of you.”  Time to get some stuff together.

Hurricane Irene

1.  Charge Everything! – Cell phones, laptops, cameras, video cameras, etc.

2.  3 days worth of H2O – The American Red Cross recommends a gallon per person, per day.

3.  High quality flashlight

4.  Rope – Tie down EVERYTHING outside that could get blown away in 100mph winds.  Grills, trashcans, dogs, etc.

5.  Battery Lantern

6.  Emergency Candles

7.  Booze – It could be a long few days with no electricity.

8.  3 Days worth of food – If you don’t already have it, GO GET IT!

9.  Batteries – You can’t have enough AA or D batteries when you have no electric.  Get them early because batteries go FAST!

10.  Cash – Who knows how long ATM machines will be down?!

I know I’ve missed a few things, but these items should get you through at least 3 days.  Good luck!

{ Comments on this entry are closed }

46 Life Lessons for My Son

by Casey on August 15, 2011

 

My baby boy, Nico, turned 2 last week.  I feel like he’s come a long way in his first 2 years of life, but the fact is he has an even longer way to go.  Here is a running list of some life lessons that I hope he learns sooner than I did.  I love you buddy.

1.  Be compassionate

2. The last 5 seconds count – in a race, in the gym, in any journey… it’s all preparation for the last 5 seconds.

3.  Happiness comes from within – The happiness of your life depends on the quality of your thoughts.

4.  Do what excites you – This is the cure-all.

5.  Find happiness in simple pleasures.

6.  Try to see only the good in people.

7.  Think simply – Keep your thoughts simple and you will keep your life simple.

8.  Surround yourself with the right people - The top people you surround yourself with define who you are.

9.  Don’t chase money – Do what excites you and the money will follow.

10.  Struggle – Be willing to put in crazy work that involves constant struggle.

11.  Have the will to win – will to win = the passion, the desire, not the prize.

12.  Focus – Stick with one thing, and push through to the end until it’s complete.

13. Persistence and Obsession – If you want something badly enough and must have it, you will always find a way.  Do whatever it takes.

14. Get out of your comfort zone every day – This is how you truly grow.

15.  View everything as a miracle – Including yourself.

16.  Before you take advice from someone, ask your self if you want your life to look like theirs.

17.  Become a slave to good habits – Your character is a formulation of your habits.

18.  Be honest – If you don’t lie you don’t have to remember anything.

19.  If you’re not making someone else’s life better, you’re wasting your time.

20.  You’re born with talent, but skill requires hours and hours of relentless practice.

21.  Be unrealistic – It will keep you off the path of mediocrity.

22.  Decide what it’s going to be, who you’re going to be, and how you’re going to do it.

23.  Have patience – Learning requires a process which in turn demands patience.

24.  Respect your body – You only get one.

25.  Fall in love with the journey, not the destination.

26.  There are no mistakes, only lessons.

27.  Be here now – There is no better place than “here.”

28.  Think fast, talk slow - Not the opposite.

29.  Ideas won’t work unless YOU do.

30.  Don’t do anything you wouldn’t want on the cover of the Wall St. Journal.

31.  Be a good listener – Wisdom comes from a life-time of listening when you’d have preferred to talk.

32.  Be interested in other people

33.  Be modest

34.  Be positive – Attitude is contagious and it will help to motivate you.

35.  Be persistant – Move forward one step at a time.  Never give up.

36.  Ask questions – Be inquisitive, challenge the norm, and always look for a better way.

37.  Procrastination is the enemy.

38.  Don’t sweat the small stuff – Problems are mind over matter; if you don’t mind, it doesn’t matter.

39.  The most important actions are never comfortable.

40.  Stop looking for a blessing and start being a blessing.

41. Be charismatic – How?  Be more concerned about making others feel good about themselves than you are making them feel good about you.

42.  Get rid of clutter – If you haven’t used it in 6 months you’re not going to use it.

43.  Be a good communicator – The key to effective communication is simplicity.

44.  Everyone loves someone who can get to the point quickly.

45. Be grateful for whatever you have – If you’re not content with a little, you won’t be content with a lot.

46.  No one has it all figured out.

{ 4 comments }

← Previous Entries