• News
    • Tech News
    • AI
  • Gadgets
    • Apple
    • iPhone
  • Gaming
    • Playstation
    • Xbox
  • Science
    • News
    • Space
  • Streaming
    • Netflix
  • Vehicles
    • Car News
  • Social Media
    • WhatsApp
    • YouTube
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • LADbible Group
  • LADbible
  • UNILAD
  • SPORTbible
  • GAMINGbible
  • Tyla
  • FOODbible
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
TikTok
Snapchat
WhatsApp
Submit Your Content
Steve Jobs started every day by asking himself this brilliant question

Home> Apple

Published 12:50 5 Dec 2023 GMT

Steve Jobs started every day by asking himself this brilliant question

It could change your perspective on life.

Prudence Wade

Prudence Wade

Steve Jobs, Apple’s co-founder, apparently asked himself one question every morning to boost his productivity and evaluate his goals.

Jobs, who died in 2011, started his mornings thinking about mortality.

Admittedly, beginning your day considering death sounds pretty dire, but who are we to question Jobs? He gave us the iPhone after all.

Jobs opened up about his approach to life during his 2005 commencement address at Stanford University.
MediaNews Group/The Mercury News via Getty Images / Contributor / Getty Images

Advert

Jobs used to look in the mirror and ask: “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.”

This is what Jobs revealed in his commencement speech at Stanford University in 2005.

He said: "Remembering that I'll be dead soon is the most important tool I've ever encountered to help me make the big choices in life.

Advert

“Because almost everything, all external expectations, all pride, all fear of embarrassment or failure, these things just fall away in the face of death, leaving only what is truly important.”

So, in practice, it could actually be motivating, and help you progress.

If you’re sticking out your depressing office job and it gives you a severe case of the Sunday scaries, then maybe you might want to consider moving on.

Or, if you’re meeting up with that one annoying colleague at lunch every day, perhaps it’s time to find yourself a new work buddy that you actually look forward to seeing.

Advert

Jobs must've been onto something - he did give us the iPhone, after all.
MediaNews Group/The Mercury News via Getty Images / Contributor / Getty Images

In fact, research from Harvard suggests that mentally preparing yourself to have a good day in the morning impacts your entire work day - it could even boost your productivity and increase focus too.

But, other business moguls reportedly have very different morning routines to Jobs’ - Bill Gates, Microsoft’s former managing director, apparently begins his day by spending an hour on the treadmill, watching educational videos.

Entrepreneur and Dragon on BBC One’s Dragons’ Den Steven Bartlett has said he doesn’t have an alarm and lets himself wake up when he is ready.

Advert

He also posted on X in 2019: “A daily routine becomes a weekly routine, then a monthly routine, then a yearly routine and before you know it your life is routine.

“In a world obsessed with creating the “perfect routine”, never forget the importance of living in the moment, being spontaneous and taking risks!”

So, in a world where there is pressure to have a flawless morning routine, perhaps simply evaluating your goals first thing, like Jobs, could be productive.


Featured Image Credit: Credit: Rick Smolan / Contributor / Tim Mosenfelder / Stringer Getty
Apple
iPhone

Advert

Advert

Advert

Choose your content:

18 hours ago
3 days ago
5 days ago
7 days ago
  • 18 hours ago

    iPhone users mind-blown after discovering hidden setting that unlocks special audio

    We learn something new every day

    Apple
  • 3 days ago

    Experts warn default WiFi setting is putting your iPhone at serious risk

    Your phone could become exposed to hackers and cybercriminals

    Apple
  • 5 days ago

    iPhone fans baffled after user spots 'black dot of death' at the top of their screen

    It could cost you a not-so-small fortune

    Apple
  • 7 days ago

    You should delete these 5 pre-installed apps if your iPhone is beginning to slow down

    No, you don't need that app you've never used

    Apple
  • Steve Jobs 'predicts ChatGPT' in fascinating footage from 40 years ago
  • Ex-Apple engineer reveals 'intimidating' process of pitching to Steve Jobs
  • Steve Jobs gave Jony Ive this 'impossible task' when they first met and it saved Apple from bankruptcy
  • Reason why Steve Jobs famously didn’t want pornography on iPhones resurfaces following first porn app controversy