Unless you’ve been in the deepest darkest Amazon today you’ll have heard about the death of Steve Jobs. For some of you his death is of no consequence, for others his death will have impacted you like it has me. It’s made me stop and pause and think about my life.
I was reminded today about what the Bible says about our life
“Yet you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow. You are just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away.” James 4:14
Here are some thoughts:
Life is short, make it count
Steve said in a speech
“If today were the last day of my life, would I want to do what I am about to do today?” And whenever the answer has been “No” for too many days in a row, I know I need to change something.”
I’m now over 40. Steve was 56 when he died. When I die will those around me will have the same words to say about me as they have about him. I need to make every day count as though it is my last. I need to focus on things that are worthwhile.
Don’t settle for mediocrity
Steve designed his products to the highest possible quality using the best quality materials. There is one story where Steve brags about the finish of the metal on the back of the iMac. Every little detail counted for him, even the back of a computer monitor. So often ‘good enough’ has been enough for me. I haven’t challenged myself enough and those around me to ‘be better’. I’ve settled for the average and the obvious.
Good design matters
Every Apple touchpoint has a sense of design class to it. It has been considered, revised, considered, re-written then created or developed. Every Apple product has been worked on remorselessly to make the complex ridiculously simple. Our challenge as marketers, communicators, leaders in our field is everyday to help make the complex simple so that everyone can connect and understand what we are trying to communicate.
These are just a couple of thoughts of the top of my head. What thoughts have you had? Comment below
