STEVE JOBSHow To Live Before You

Die

STEVE JOBS IS CEO AND CO FOUNDER OF APPLE

AND PIXAR ANIMATION.

At Stanford University’s 2005 commencement, he asks graduates:

Are you doing what you would be doing if it was your last day on earth?

HE DEBUNKS THE NOTIONthat a college degree is necessary to

achieve this goal.

HE ENCOURAGES GRADUATES TO TRUST

THEIR INSTINCTSAnd to trust that eventually, the

dots that form their life will connect.

HE CAPTURES HIS AUDIENCEWith the unconventional idea that “dropping out” of college to “drop in” on classes of interest can yield amazing results. Apple Computers pioneered beautiful typography because Steve Jobs “dropped in” to Calligraphy.

STEVE KEEPS IT PERSONAL

And eradicates excuses for failure when he confesses his own mother gave him

up for adoption, not to the super wealthy, but to

working class people.

HE KEEPS THE FOCUS ON THE FUTURE AND BAITS THE QUESTION:

What does my future hold for me and will I want it when it finds me?

DYNAMISM RATING: 4/5

I would rate Steve at a 4. A little less word for word reading, more eye contact and a bit of humor would have added to his speech. However, his story was interesting, poignant and relevant to the occasion and the audience.

STEVE UTILIZES TWO TIPS FROM GARR REYNOLDS

He customized his speech to his audience by relating his own

college experience.He left them feeling smarter with

the encouragement that there are no bad or dumb choices, but

rather the adventure of molding where they take you.

WHAT DID I LEARN?Keep it up close and personal.

People relate to people, not to slogans.

LIKE SIR KEN ROBINSON,

Steve effectively conveys that the absence of a traditional education does not guarantee failure.

BOTH SPEAKERS PROVEThat the application of other forms of education, however abstract or unconventional, are valid, greatly needed, and have produced some of the greatest success stories of our time. Just ask Gillian Lynne, choreographer of CATS.

WHERE THEY DIFFER

Sir Ken Robinson promotes the overhaul of the current education system to make room for a more open minded approach to education in the areas of the arts, world wide.

STEVE JOBS PROMOTES THE OVERHAUL

Of what we view as educational within the current structure and compels us use it outside of the box, “to infinity and beyond!”

MY ADVICE TO THOSE ENGAGED IN PUBLIC SPEAKING IS THIS.Don’t burn bridges. Don’t argue your point, but invite your audience to examine it and ask themselves this question;“Is what I just heard beneficial and applicable to the life story I am currently writing?”Stay hungry, stay foolish.” Steve Jobs