Steve Jobs’ Four Simple Questions for Achieving Overall Happiness in Life

Steve Jobs threw this bombshell of reality into our consciousness six years prior to his untimely death:

Don’t squander your precious time living someone else’s life since it is finite.

These remarks were made in 2005 to a newly graduated class from Stanford University by the co-founder of Apple. Shortly before classes began, Jobs received a diagnosis of pancreatic cancer and was given three to six months to survive.

He passed on this message to the new graduates—and the rest of the world—because facing his own mortality had taught him the value of living a good life.

3 Questions you should ask


Jobs’ statement gave us a lot to think about in terms of what is most important in our own lives. And even now, whenever I watch that graduating speech, it compels me to ask myself some really important questions that were inspired by Jobs and that I hope you will do as well.

Do I have the life I desire and am I working on the projects I want to work on?


Jobs had a significant internal transformation in the face of his impending mortality. He started acting as though every day might be his last because it might have been! It’s not meant to be depressing to consider how little time you and I have left on this planet.

“The most significant instrument I’ve ever encountered to help me make the key choices in life,” said Jobs of facing his impending death. Our shortcomings, worries, and pride, he claimed, “fall away in the face of death, leaving just what is actually important.”

2-Would I want to do what I am about to do today if today were the last day of my life?


After learning that he had a fatal diagnosis. Jobs claimed that he asked himself this question every day while figuratively standing in front of his mirror.

After the response has been “No” for too many days in a row, according to Jobs. I know I need to make a change. The answer would be a resounding “yes!” if I asked myself that same question every day during this phase of my life and profession. I say this because I’m pursuing my destiny and doing what I’ve been passionately driven to do.

I implore you to follow suit. When you begin your day, be prepared to confront yourself and ask this same question.

As you tune in to your emotions, pay attention to what is about to arise for you. Admitting you’re not living the life you want might be terrifying. But, it’s the only way to change course and pursue something new. Something that might be your true calling.

3- Am I engaged in what I enjoy?


Living someone else’s life is wasting your own, as Steve Jobs argues. Instead, he exhorts you to identify the position you were created to hold.

You must discover your passion. Your work will take up a significant portion of your life. And, the only way to truly be fulfilled is to produce what you consider to be outstanding work. And doing outstanding work is only possible if you enjoy what you do.

Doing what we love gives us a sense of purpose, which motivates us to get out of bed in the morning and, in Warren Buffett’s words, “tap dance to work.” According to research reported in the Harvard Business Review, for individuals to feel fully engaged and content, they must believe that their work matters and that their efforts are making a difference.

People are happier and more productive when they feel a sense of purpose in their work and are passionate about what they do. In order to end on a positive note, I would advise finding out what you should be doing as your first step if you are unsure of what you love to do. It’s what Steve Jobs would want you to do as well, so don’t just take my word for it.

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