Finding Purpose and Fulfillment: 5 Life Lessons from Steve Jobs’ Most Impactful Quotes

As young people strive for personal and professional growth and self-discovery, they often seek out mentors and turn to leaders in their professional network. Nonetheless, the wisdom and insights of exceptional individuals or “heroes” tend to speak to us the most.

Steve Jobs, despite his imperfections, served as a role model for countless people across the globe — myself included. As a professed “non-Apple” fanboy, who has never really been part of the Apple eco-system (minus an iPod, and a Macbook for work), I’ve always been inspired by his forward-thinking attitude, unyielding dedication and ceaseless pursuit of greatness.

In the formative years of my twenties, I stumbled upon several quotes from Steve Jobs that became guiding principles — shaping my mindset and setting me on an entrepreneurial journey. These five quotes served as a “North Star,” steering me toward a life of purpose, fulfillment, and authenticity. I hope they will inspire you as well.

1) “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.”

Time is fleeting, and living life on our own terms is essential. His words encourage us to break free from societal expectations and embrace our unique perspectives. By listening to our inner voice and fearlessly pursuing our Life Mission, whatever that may be, we can unleash our true potential and create an authentic life for ourselves. Growing up in a traditional household and dissatisfied with our social norms, this quote has allowed me to forge my own path in life, pursuing my interests and trusting my intentions.

2) “For the past 33 years, I have looked in the mirror every morning and asked myself: ‘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.”

Align your actions with your deepest desires. Live each day to the fullest and seek moments of purpose. Always evaluate your choices, make necessary adjustments, and seize opportunities that lead to growth and fulfillment. I always give myself about two weeks to decide whether to continue doing my current work. If there is no real purpose, you will know when it is time to move on.

3) “Your work is going to fill a large part of your life, and the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work. And 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.”

True satisfaction lies in doing work that aligns with our values, talents, and aspirations. Pursue professional aspirations with unwavering dedication and genuine interest. By seeking and embracing work that ignites our inner fire, we unlock the potential for fulfillment. This is also reflected in my concept of a “Corpo-Mercenary”: a person who takes on a full-time position at a company with the mindset of an “entrepreneurial mercenary.” They are dedicated to their work and paycheques as long as it aligns with their own motivations and “Life Mission” — always seeking opportunities to pursue their own path.

4) “You can’t connect the dots looking forward; you can only connect them looking backward. So you have to trust that the dots will somehow connect in your future. You have to trust in something — your gut, destiny, life, karma, whatever. This approach has never let me down, and it has made all the difference in my life.”

Life is a mosaic of experiences, and we must trust the journey. Even during uncertain times when the path ahead appears murky, Jobs encourages us to trust our actions and decisions will ultimately piece together to create a meaningful future. To further this point, it is crucial to focus on building the right habits to help propel you into the future. Looking back, we can comprehend the significance of each moment, realizing that every step taken was meaningful.

5) “That’s been one of my mantras — focus and simplicity. Simple can be harder than complex; you have to work hard to get your thinking clean to make it simple.”

In a world filled with increasing complexity, focusing on clarity and simplicity helps cut through the noise. This quote has taught me the value of stripping away the unnecessary and focusing on what truly matters. By simplifying my thoughts, goals, and actions, I was renewed with a sense of purpose and energy to focus on what really matters.

BONUS quote for the entrepreneurs in the room:

“I’m convinced that about half of what separates successful entrepreneurs from the non-successful ones is pure perseverance.”

Just keep going.

With his visionary mindset and unparalleled determination, Steve Jobs left behind a legacy that continues to inspire and shape the lives of countless individuals. His words have become immortalized as beacons of wisdom, guiding me and many others throughout our transformative years. They have taught me to embrace my authentic self by listening to my inner voice and pursuing my interests with unwavering commitment.

His quotes speak to the core of our human experience, urging us to live purposefully, and love what we do — to seize each day, seek greatness in our work, and to persevere through any inevitable challenges that arise.

In a world often driven by conformity and external expectations, we must remind ourselves to nurture our individuality, take risks, and stay true to ourselves. Trust that the dots will connect, even when the road ahead seems uncertain. Find the courage to pursue work that sets your soul on fire, and if you haven’t found that work yet, continue seeking that which drives you.

Forge your own path and trust that your efforts will lead you to your desired future.

Your twenties are a time of discovery, growth, and laying the foundation for the future. Let these quotes serve as pillars of inspiration as you navigate the path ahead. You can shape a truly extraordinary life with audacious grit and unwavering belief in yourself. Only YOU have that power.

Success is not measured by external achievements but by the impact we make, the lives we touch, and the fulfillment we find in our work. What we do matters.

“Stay hungry, stay foolish.” — Steve Jobs