Making The Something of Yourself You Already Are: An Ideal Worthy of Consideration

"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." - Steve Jobs

Follow your heart and intuition! That was the admonition and encouragement by one of the most creative minds of our day to some of the brightest lights of our future at Stanford University in 2005. Follow your heart and intuition! How hard can that be and why did Steve Jobs feel it was important enough to reiterate, to stress that point to the graduating class of one of the top educational institutions in our country? We'll never know for sure, because time ran out for Steve Jobs, but not before he made his mark on our culture and community.

There is no curiosity here for me. What Steve said in this commencement address is so simple, it's genius. How did he know? That too, was simple, he determined at a very young age to do what he loved to do. He was aware of doing something you love, something that stirs your soul so incredibly that not doing it would be insanity!

As I have stated before, I recommend adopting Earl Nightingale's definition of success, "a progressive realization of a worthy ideal." How does that fit with Steve Jobs commencement address? Simple! Contrary to overnight success stories most overnight successes take quite a long time to develop. It is the perseverance of the dreamer that continues to dream in the face of opposition and the strength needed to overcome obstacles stems from doing what Steve Jobs did...what he loved to do .

There is nothing new here. A fulfilled life is a life full and filled with a series of moments so loved that time is non-existent. So why do so many of us not get it? Why do we continue to struggle through life as if we're toting a ball and chain? I think the paradox here is that Steve gave this address in front of an audience seated at one of our most prestigious institutions of higher learning! What's the paradox you ask? If doing what you love is one of the most important keys to success then why don't we have a billion "Do What You Love" classes on every campus, school or place of employment? Better yet, why aren't we clambering for classes that will ultimately bring us the joy that each one of us has hidden deep within?

Again, I believe the answer is simple. WE ALREADY KNOW! We already possess everything we need to dream and to do and to progressively realize a worthy ideal. In my humble opinion, we choose not to pursue it. We either get too distracted or are not truly in love with what we are doing. I know, I too experienced this malady for many years.

So, here is my challenge to each and every individual that experiences the anguish of not doing what they love or doesn't even know what that one thing is that makes their heart sing. Start right now; let your worthy ideal be finding your passion and then progressively realize it, and if you cannot do that yourself find someone who will help you. It's out there. Then Get Going!!!!

Steve Jobs will certainly be missed. But the legacy he left behind is inspirational...and can absolutely be duplicated. I know that too! I am living it right now!!! And...so can you!!! Don't waste another second; follow your heart and your intuition!