In which we Remember an “i” con and I use a lot of inspirational clichés

This week we lost a man who was easily one of the most influential, intelligent and visionary; a man who helped shape popular culture as well as popular business.   From the iPod to the iPad, Steve Jobs was an incredibly insightful and intelligent human being; he practically invented the way we listen to music, watch movies or acquire info on the go nowadays. He’s been at the forefront of technological innovation for the better part of the last 30 or so years and with his signature black turtleneck has inspired many fellow tech geeks to follow that ridiculous dream to not give up on something you believe in. 

Now, I’ve been an iPhone user for almost five years and an iPod user for years before that and while I’ve never been a fan of the Mac computer (please don’t kill me) I can still appreciate the innovation of it.  I remember using old school Apple computers when I was in the 6th grade (circa 1996), playing games like Oregon Trail and loving every second of it.  I may even go so far as to say that getting so excited about that Apple computer back then may have contributed, in part, to the geeky person I am today.

You know, It’s something you don’t really think of; the idea that so many people in the world are using a device one man dreamt up.  That tiny little device you might be holding right now was just an idea in Steve’s head one day and that’s what inspires me; to look at that and wonder, “Maybe one of the ideas bouncing around in my head could be that great.”  Is it realistic that an idea of mine could take off that incredibly? Of course not; but you have to overcome that doubt if you want to succeed, you have to have confidence and you have to persevere.

Everyone wants to leave their mark on the world and Steve Jobs did that and then some.  He’s going to continue to inspire young inventors and tech geeks everywhere long after his death has left the public eye and that is the so called “American Dream” if you ask me, to live on in the minds of others and never be forgotten, all because of some wacky idea you had to make your music portable.

“You can’t connect the dots looking forward; you can only connect them looking backwards. 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.”

Till next time Mr. Jobs…