I’ve wrote blog post on famous people and movies that have inspired me before, but this one is more of a bittersweet post.  Since last Wednesday, I have constantly been reminded of how much Steve Jobs has influenced my life and many others. How I work, how I communicate with people from all over the world, how I purchase music, and even how I record videos.  The world lost the most creative genius of my time.

Yet, if you have heard his story about growing up, you might wonder how he got there.  Adopted into a family after his birth parents gave him up, he was raised in California, where is now known as Silicon Valley.  He was a troubled kid, college drop out who had passion.  He created a company that he would be fired from, only later to be asked to come back.  He returned to the company in shorts, unshaven and with only a $1 salary.  Not only was he an innovator but he was also a visionary, business man, and fantastic marketer!

One thing you may not have realized is that he was also a HUGE inspiration to many people.  People have been memorializing him at the Apple Stores, on their social networks and through blogging.

Here are 6 key points that every business can incorporate for success.

Only Do What You love

Mr. Jobs taught us that you really cannot create success and innovation if you do not love what you are doing.  The passion must be there because you will go through tough times and if you don’t have passion, you are more likely to give up.  Those who love what they do will keep pushing forward because they believe in what they are doing.  Don’t Settle.

“Your time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life.” ~Steve Jobs

Connect Things to Spark Creativity

Have you heard the saying, “you don’t know until you know”.  People who have a broad range of skills and knowledge are able to see things differently.  When Steve Jobs was in college he studied Calligraphy, at the time, there was no connection to anything.  Later he would create the first computer system that had beautiful type font.  He revolutionized the way we see text on our screens to this day.  Be open to learning new things so that you can connect the dots to spark your creativity.

“Creativity is just connecting things. When you ask creative people how they did something, they feel a little guilty because they didn’t really do it, they just saw something. It seemed obvious to them after a while. That’s because they were able to connect experiences they’ve had and synthesize new things. And the reason they were able to do that was that they’ve had more experiences or they have thought more about their experiences than other people.” ~Steve Jobs

Say NO to 1,000 Things

Steve believed that the secret to innovation comes from saying “no to 1,000 things.”  Simplicity comes when you eliminate anything that can clutter the experience.  Have you ever noticed that the iPad only has one button or how simple the iPod looks.  The sleek and elegant style that Apple produces is sexy.  He made geek sexy again.   All while continuing to remove things for simplicity.  All of Apple’s products are simple and elegant in style and function. What can you eliminate today?

“Get rid of the crappy stuff and focus on the good stuff” ~Steve Jobs

Create Insanely Great Experiences.

If you want an experience, visit an Apple Store. You want to make sure that every experience your client has with you is great.  You want to reach your clients and customers on an emotional and personal level rather than stuffy.  Make how they connect with you on your social networks or in your programs or even just through your contact form a personal experience.

Dream Bigger

Once Steve was asked by a Disney exec in charge of making the Disney Stores better how he could do this and Steve replied with “Dream Bigger.”  You have to visualize it and go after it with your passion. How can you Dream Bigger?

Think Different.

I highly encourage you to watch this commercial below. I also put the words below.  Here’s to the crazy ones.

Are you crazy enough?  How can you Dream Bigger and Think Different?  What can you say no to so that you can make room for yes?  I encourage you to be inspired.  Actually, I double dog dare you.


“Here’s to the Crazy Ones. The misfits. The rebels. The trouble-makers. The round pegs in the square holes. The ones who see things differently. They’re not fond of rules, and they have no respect for the status-quo.  You can quote them, disagree with them, glorify, or vilify them. About the only thing you can’t do is ignore them. Because they change things. They push the human race forward. And while some may see them as the crazy ones, we see genius. Because the people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world – are the ones who DO!”
~ Apple Computers ~

iThankYou Steve Jobs for all you have done.  We are forever changed in the way we purchase music and listen to it.  Where we once made a break-up CD, we now make them in lists that are then played through our computer, iPod, TV, car, and wherever else you can pull up iTunes.