Yesterday, the world lost a beautiful man.  I posted a brief blog post, but because of my shock and sadness, I couldn’t even really believe it.  Almost a day later, the reality is starting to set in.  It’s sad that someone has died, it’s sad that it’s a death because of such a relentless disease, but it’s saddest because he was such an inspirational and innovative person.

Steve Jobs has revolutionized the world and created things that we could only have imagined.  His creations have such finesse and are designed with the user experience in mind.  It’s a philosophy that I’ve tried to apply to my life’s work, and it has payed off so much.  But there is so much more to him than that.  I don’t want to get caught up in overly sentimental tributes, but there are a few of his moments and thoughts that I’d like to share with you today in his memory.

“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. … Stay hungry. Stay foolish.”  - Steve Jobs

 

And finally, a cut of the Think Different campaign, narrated by the man himself, challenging us to go beyond what we think is possible.  It’s the best advice anyone could ever get, and it will live on as part of his incredible legacy.

Thank you, Steve.  You may be gone, but you’ll never be forgotten.