I’m spending some time as a guest at Stanford University right now, enjoying what the university offers and learning what I feel like without any academic pressure. It’s pretty quiet here, and it seems like everyone is studying. For me, it’s pretty relaxed, and I’m often drawn to riding around campus on an old ’72 Peugeot road bike I picked up at the local Goodwill.
Being at Stanford and all, I’m brought to remember Steve Jobs’ commencement speech here in 2005, which I often quote from. Here’s another secret – I put it on my iPod and I must have listened to it at least 43.5 times over the past few years. It has definitely pumped me in the direction of charting my own path.
I like most of the speech, but I’m a particular fan of “keep looking, don’t settle” (if you haven’t found what you love) with regards to all aspects of life. It’s nothing new, but a great reminder. A really great reminder. It’s also nice hearing it from someone’s actual experiences, and Steve Jobs’ professional life has been very public.
Caring means sharing, so here’s a link to an edited version of the speech I made (right click to save), free of the pre-speech and the commentator remarks – perfect for listening to over and over and over again.
Click here for the full text of his speech.
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- The Sunscreen Song – My 10 Year Tribute (Everybody’s Free)
- Real Resolutions Aren’t Made Today, So I Only Resolve To Stop Getting Parking Tickets And Losing Umbrellas
- Interview: Videodancescapes, Intention, And What Scares The Pants Off Of Me
- A Week Of Adventurous Living
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Wow, that was a very inspiring speech. And you wrote about it just in time^^
Next week I have my final exams and then in october, I will start with a new part of my life. I’m going to study in a university and therefore have to move out. That will be the first time I will live without my family and I have to admit that i’m a bit scared. Scared to live alone in a new city far away from home and scared that university-life isn’t how I imagine it to be.
After that speech I feel like not giving up and move forward no matter what will come.
Ah, I haven’t read your last article about feeling down yet, because I’m waiting for a time when I really am feeling down, although it tickles in my fingers to read it^^
Can’t wait for other articles you’ll write.
Marcello
thanks for the post!
Thank you for sharing this, and I enjoyed your “wear sunscreen” video montage that made it to the four hour work week blog too.
Looking forward to reviewing your blog for more inspiring information. I’m a bit lost right now with work and finding/working my passion. So much of my past job choices have been to please others and I find myself in quite frustrated that I have allowed this to become.
But refreshingly, I have a clean slate and a beginner’s mind and the ability to connect with inspiring individuals in actions, such as yourself. Thank you. Keep up the awesomeness.
Sure, please subscribe to this blog. Although I have a lot on my plate right now, this blog is my long term passion. I definitely want to write about career and hope what I write can be of service.
RIP Steve Jobs. He was a genius of our time.
Yeah, he’s an old school innovator!
Hi, I’m curious as to how you got to be a guest at Stanford U. Thanks.
I have friends who go there, and in the summer, they all vacate their dorms!
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