I’ve been there.
Down in the dumps. Fired by the board. Doubting. Aching. Wondering.
Can I do it? Can I make it…
One of my inspirations was the story of a college dropout who started a company in his garage that grew so big it became the most valuable company on Earth. Along the way, he was fired from his own company, started two more, and eventually was asked to come back to his old company and save the day.
He was a warrior among warriors. He never stopped fighting.
Today he lost his battle with Pancreatic Cancer, a disease that claims 95% of its victims within five years. He fought for seven.
Along the way he accomplished amazing things.
When he was diagnosed with Pancreatic Cancer in 2004 he was successfully running both Apple and Pixar. Barron’s declared that Steve Jobs was “without a doubt” the most valuable CEO in the world. Fortune magazine named him the Smartest CEO on Earth.
You know the story…iPods, iPhones, iPads, and Macs. It was modern magic.
It was inspiring.
In some of my darkest moments in business, his story has reminded me of what is possible when you don’t give up doing the work you love. His story reminds us to press on.
Here are some of the highlights:
- Born & Adopted (1955)
- Drops out of Reed College after one semester (1972)
- Jobs, Wozniak, and Wayne start Apple (1976)
- Power struggle leads to his forced exit from Apple (1984), so he starts NeXT (competitor)
- Creates Pixar Animation Studios (1986)
- Serves as executive producer of the first computer animated movie “Toy Story” (1995)
- Apple buys NeXT, Steve returns as CEO of Apple after 13 years (1997)
- Pancreatic Cancer attempts a hostile takeover (2004)
- Steve remains as CEO of Pixar until merger with the Walt Disney Company (2006)
- Jobs undergoes a Liver transplant (2009)
- Apple becomes the world #2 most valuable company and Barron’s declares that Steve Jobs is “without a doubt” the most valuable CEO in the world. (2011)
Thanks for the inspiration Steve. While any human life has it’s faults, few are as inspiring as yours.
The 8pm Warrior sky is a little darker tonight.
Aaron@Biebert
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A visionary, a leader, an innovator, larger than life. Thanks for this honorable tribute Aaron.
Thanks Andrew. This is tough. I don’t know if I ever really thought he would die.
He seemed invincible…
I often say that Computer Science is a unique field in that its great pioneers are still alive today. Steve was one of the best. If you’re reading this using a graphical user interface, you can thank him for that.
He was an example of pioneering at its finest. I am definitely thanking him.
“Remembering that I’ll be dead soon is the most important tool I’ve ever encountered to help me make the big choices in life. Because 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…. Have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become.” ~ Steve Jobs
…and he lived these words…what an inspiration he was…he is…
Thanks for sharing these wonderful thoughts.
Thank you for sharing that quote Lance. Great inspiration.
Now it’s time to live it…
Aaron, minor correction: Steve purchased Pixar from George Lucas, who funded the research both software and hardware that was the foundation of Pixar.
Hi Bence, my understanding is that he purchased the group of people and started a new company. I could be wrong though.
This is what I gathered from Wikipedia:
The base for Pixar began in 1979 as the Graphics Group, part of the Computer Division of Lucasfilm before the group was acquired by Steve Jobs in 1986 as the base for his new independant company called Pixar. He sold off the hardware to Disney and focused on the software and movie development.
Steve Jobs was a visionary. Legend and the chief wizard of the digital age.
That he was for sure. Sad day.
Thank you Aaron
Betsy, you’re welcome.
RIP warrior.
Stan, I liked your other comment better. The real one on your blog.
Points, that are good to remember! Thanks!
Sean, you’re welcome man.