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Steve Jobs, one of the most iconic figures in technology, once shared his single most valuable advice:
"People say you have to have a lot of passion for what you're doing, and it's totally true."
This statement holds profound wisdom. According to Jobs, the journey of creating something meaningful is incredibly challenging. Without passion, any rational person would simply give up.
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Jobs emphasized that the process of building something great is hard and requires sustained effort over a long period. If you're not having fun and you don't truly love what you do, you'll give up when things get tough. This is what separates those who succeed from those who don't. The successful ones love what they do so much that they can persevere through the difficulties. The ones who don't love it quit because they don't see the point in enduring such hardships.
He puts it bluntly: "Who would want to put up with this stuff if you don't love it?"
The entrepreneurial path is filled with hard work and constant worry. Without a deep passion for what you're doing, you're bound to fail.
"Oftentimes it's the ones that are successful love what they did so they could persevere when it got really tough. And the ones that didn't love it quit, because they're sane."
Another entrepreneur who echoes this sentiment is Mark Cuban. Cuban, a billionaire investor and owner of the Dallas Mavericks, once said,
"Don't start a company unless it's an obsession and something you love. If you have an exit strategy, it's not an obsession."
Cuban believes that passion is crucial for overcoming the inevitable challenges of starting and running a business.
A great example of passion leading to success is the story of Howard Schultz, the former CEO of Starbucks. Schultz was passionate about creating a place where people could gather and enjoy a great cup of coffee. Despite numerous setbacks and rejections, his passion for his vision kept him going. Today, Starbucks is a global coffeehouse chain with thousands of stores worldwide.
Sara Blakely, the founder of Spanx, is another example. Blakely started her company with a passion for creating a comfortable and effective undergarment for women. She faced countless rejections from manufacturers and investors but persisted because she believed in her product. Her passion and perseverance paid off, and Spanx became a hugely successful brand, making Blakely the world's youngest self-made female billionaire.
Jack Ma, the founder of Alibaba, also highlights the importance of passion. Ma faced many failures and rejections in his early life, including being turned down for jobs and being rejected by Harvard ten times. However, his passion for creating a successful e-commerce platform in China drove him to keep trying. Today, Alibaba is one of the largest e-commerce companies in the world.
In conclusion, Steve Jobs' advice on the importance of passion is echoed by many successful entrepreneurs. Passion fuels perseverance and resilience in the face of adversity. Whether it's Mark Cuban, Howard Schultz, Sara Blakely, or Jack Ma, their stories highlight how passion plays a critical role in achieving success. If you love what you do, you'll have the drive to keep going, even when the journey gets tough. This passion is what ultimately separates those who succeed from those who give up.
Listen to Steve Jobs: