Commencement Address by Steve Jobs at Stanford University

Dropped out of Reed College after 6 months but continued as a drop-in for 18 months.
Background: Biological mother wanted Jobs to be adopted by college graduates.
- Adoption fell through; parents not college graduates.
- Adoption finalized after promise he'd attend college.
Attended an expensive college, spent parents' savings.
- Dropped out due to uncertain value, followed curiosity instead.
- Example: Took a calligraphy class that later influenced Macintosh typography.
Key Lesson: Trust that the dots will connect.
- Can't connect dots looking forward, only backward.
- Follow your heart, trust in destiny or intuition.

Founded Apple with Steve Wozniak in parent's garage.
- Grew to a $2 billion company with 4,000 employees within 10 years.
Jobs was fired from Apple at age 30.
- Hired a CEO whose vision diverged from Jobs'.
- Experienced public failure.
Rebounded by pursuing what he loved.
- Started NeXT and Pixar, married, successful family.
- Pixar created "Toy Story," became top animation studio.
- Returned to Apple; NeXT technology fueled revival.
Key Lesson: Find what you love.
- Love what you do for true satisfaction and great work.
- Don't settle until you find work and love you truly cherish.

Inspired by a quote about living each day as if it were the last.
Diagnosed with pancreatic cancer; initially given limited time to live.
- Later found to be a rare, curable form; survived after surgery.
Realization: Facing death brings clarity to life choices.
- Strips away fear of failure, external expectations.
- Encourages following heart and intuition.
- Death is an inevitable life process, clearing way for new beginnings.

Life Lessons from Steve Jobs' Commencement Speech