MIND POWER FORUM

- Steve Jobs

His accomplishments and character helped define a generation and change the world. He is co-founder of the fairytale company we now know as Apple Computers. And he is the visionary of the personal computers world that led the entire computer hardware and software industry to restructure itself.

Here’s a selection of some of the most insanely great things he said, golden lessons to help you succeed in life, Jobs-style:

“1. Steve Jobs said: “Innovation distinguishes between a leader and a follower.”

Innovation has no limits. The only limit is your imagination. It’s time for you to begin thinking out of the box. If you are involved in a growing industry, think of ways to become more efficient; more customer friendly; and easier to do business with. If you are involved in a shrinking industry – get out of it quick and change before you become obsolete; out of work; or out of business. And remember that procrastination is not an option here. Start innovating now!

2. Steve Jobs said: “Be a yardstick of quality. Some people aren’t used to an environment where excellence is expected.”

There is no shortcut to excellence. You will have to make the commitment to make excellence your priority. Use your talents, abilities, and skills in the best way possible and get ahead of others by giving that little extra. Live by a higher standard and pay attention to the details that really do make the difference. Excellence is not difficult – simply decide right now to give it your best shot – and you will be amazed with what life gives you back.

3. Steve Jobs said: “The only way to do great work is to love what you do. If you haven’t found it yet, keep looking. Don’t settle. As with all matters of the heart, you’ll know when you find it.”

I’ve got it down to four words: “Do what you love.” Seek out an occupation that gives you a sense of meaning, direction and satisfaction in life. Having a sense of purpose and striving towards goals gives life meaning, direction and satisfaction. It not only contributes to health and longevity, but also makes you feel better in difficult times. Do you jump out of bed on Monday mornings and look forward to the work week? If the answer is ‘no’ keep looking, you’ll know when you find it.

4. Steve Jobs said: “You know, we don’t grow most of the food we eat. We wear clothes other people make. We speak a language that other people developed. We use a mathematics that other people evolved… I mean, we’re constantly taking things. It’s a wonderful, ecstatic feeling to create something that puts it back in the pool of human experience and knowledge.”

Live in a way that is ethically responsible. Try to make a difference in this world and contribute to the higher good. You’ll find it gives more meaning to your life and it’s a great antidote to boredom. There is always so much to be done. And talk to others about what you are doing. Don’t preach or be self-righteous, or fanatical about it, that just puts people off, but at the same time, don’t be shy about setting an example, and use opportunities that arise to let others know what you are doing.

5. Steve Jobs said: “There’s a phrase in Buddhism, ‘Beginner’s mind.’ It’s wonderful to have a beginner’s mind.”

It is the kind of mind that can see things as they are, which step by step and in a flash can realize the original nature of everything. Beginner’s mind is Zen practice in action. It is the mind that is innocent of preconceptions and expectations, judgments and prejudices. Think of beginner’s mind as the mind that faces life like a small child, full of curiosity and wonder and amazement.

6. Steve Jobs said: “We think basically you watch television to turn your brain off, and you work on your computer when you want to turn your brain on.”

Reams of academic studies over the decades have amply confirmed television’s pernicious mental and moral influences. And most TV watchers know that their habit is mind-numbing and wasteful, but still spend most of their time in front of that box. So turn your TV off and save some brain cells. But be cautious, you can turn your brain off by using a computer also. Try and have an intelligent conversation with someone who plays first person shooters for 8 hours a day. Or auto race games, or role-playing games.

7. Steve Jobs said: “I’m the only person I know that’s lost a quarter of a billion dollars in one year…. It’s very character-building.”

Don’t equate making mistakes with being a mistake. There is no such thing as a successful person who has not failed or made mistakes, there are successful people who made mistakes and changed their lives or performance in response to them, and so got it right the next time. They viewed mistakes as warnings rather than signs of hopeless inadequacy. Never making a mistake means never living life to the full.

8. Steve Jobs said: “I would trade all of my technology for an afternoon with Socrates.”

Over the last decade, numerous books featuring lessons from historical figures have appeared on the shelves of bookstores around the world. And Socrates stands with Leonardo da Vinci, Nicholas Copernicus, Charles Darwin and Albert Einstein as a beacon of inspiration for independent thinkers. But he came first. Cicero said of Socrates that, “He called philosophy down from the skies and into the lives of men.” So use Socrates’ principles in your life, your work, your learning, and your relationships. It’s not about Socrates, it’s really about you, and how you can bring more truth, beauty and goodness into your life every day.

9. Steve Jobs said: “We’re here to put a dent in the universe. Otherwise why else even be here?”

Did you know that you have big things to accomplish in life? And did you know that those big things are getting rather dusty while you pour yourself another cup of coffee, and decide to mull things over rather than do them? We were all born with a gift to give in life, one which informs all of our desires, interests, passions and curiosities. This gift is, in fact, our purpose. And you don’t need permission to decide your own purpose. No boss, teacher, parent, priest or other authority can decide this for you. Just find that unique purpose.

10. Steve Jobs said: “Your time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life. Don’t be trapped by dogma – which is living with the results of other people’s thinking. Don’t let the noise of other’s opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary.”

Are you tired of living someone else’s dream? No doubt, it’s your life and you have every right to spend it in your own individual way without any hurdles or barriers from others. Give yourself a chance to nurture your creative qualities in a fear-free and pressure-free climate. Live a life that YOU choose and be your own boss.

Each lesson might be difficult to integrate into your life at first, but if you ease your way into each lesson, one at a time, you’ll notice an immediate improvement in your overall performance. So go ahead, give them a try.

Article by Jo Della Penna

We are all familiar with the tradition of setting annual resolutions as we enter in a fresh New Year. As the past year closes, we look forward with hope that this year is somehow different, where it happens and we get the results we desire.

However, setting goals should be a regular exercise throughout the year, not just at the New Year.

I never quite understood why people wait until New Year's to begin to move towards their goals. All we have is today, so if there is something that you desire, start working towards getting it now - don't wait!

No matter if you are setting the typical New Year's Resolution or setting goals at some other time of the year, here are a few basics that have helped me not only achieve my goals, but often times surpass them.

Deciding what you really want is the first crucial step to achieving anything.

What is a stumbling block for many entrepreneurs I coach is they feel overwhelmed with all the things that they want. They feel like they have to find a way to fit it all in their already overly busy schedules.

Follow these simple steps and you will learn to set resolutions that get results, without being overwhelmed.

Pick the Top One:

After you have listed all the things you desire, pick the top one that is most important to you, the one that you want more than any other. This should be the one that will have the most positive impact for you, when it's achieved.

When we try to accomplish many things at the same time, we end up getting nowhere fast. We run around in circles, often accomplish little or nothing at all and we exhaust ourselves in the process.

Pick one, once you accomplish that, you will pick the next - and so on - so don't worry.

Write that one goal on a separate piece of paper and paint the picture of it already accomplished. Describe how you feel, what your surroundings are like, what does it smell like when you see yourself having reached your goal. List as much detail as possible. If it helps, find a photo or words that represent your goal.

Make sure you write it in the positive state and in present tense as already accomplished. Put it on a card so you can have it with you everywhere.

I often state, "I am so happy and grateful now that...," before describing my goal.

Daily Review:

Now, this is a very simple and extremely powerful, yet often an under-utilized step.

At minimum, take a moment each morning and each evening to review your goal. Read the card aloud and as you read it, visualize yourself having reached it. Feel the feelings, smell the smells, hear the sounds.

Do NOT think about the "how" it will happen. The "how" will present itself as you progress forward. The fact that you desire to have your goal is indication enough that the way to achieve it exists.

To speed up the process, take a moment several times during the day to review your goal.

As W. Clement Stone stated, "What the mind of a man can conceive - and believe - it can achieve."

Setting your sights on your goal and reviewing them daily, you are programming your mind to conceive and believe, which will ultimately lead you to achieving!

Follow your Promptings:

After you have decided on what you want to achieve and now you are reviewing them daily, there is a final step that many miss in the process.

Following your promptings requires less logic and more listening. Listening to your intuition, your gut, or as I often call it, your "divine guidance."

I found it most difficult for me, because I tend to think too much. I would be caught up in analyzing all the reasons I should or should not act, all the "what-ifs" and many times, talk myself out of stepping forward.

Over the years, I have sharpened this skill with the help of my coaches and mentors. Getting help to overcome your negative mind-chatter is one of the biggest benefits of hiring a coach or mentor.

As a result, amazing things have shown up to help leap me forward towards my goals. Many times, they would be unforeseen and unexpected scenarios.

It may show up in thinking about someone you feel compelled to call, that turns into a fabulous business opportunity.

It may be an associate calls you last minutes to attend a business function that you end up being introduced to someone you have been wanting to interview for your next book.

Or, and this happens to me often, you get an email from someone needing a speaker for their organization whose previous speaker canceled, where you end up picking up more speaking engagements and a new client or two.

So, this year, instead of writing a laundry list of goals you want to achieve, pick one - the most important to accomplish first.

Focus on that one goal, review it daily and follow the promptings along the way. You will be astounded at how quickly you see results and what you will be able to accomplish by the end of this year!

© 2008-2010 The Business Of You, Inc.

Jo Della Penna

In many ways, we are like the buzzard, the bat, and the bumblebee. We struggle about with all our problems and frustrations, never realizing that all we have to do is look up! That's the answer, the escape route and the solution to any problem! Just look up.