There is one thing we can say with certainty about the legendary Apple CEO and his legacy: Steve Jobs was a trailblazer. As the co-founder of Apple, he was a creative visionary who revolutionized technology, design, and how we interact with the world.
Many people have studied Jobs’ incredible story since his unfortunate passing in 2011. From his personal life to his business acumen, scholars have been busy dissecting his practices to find his magic formula for success.
In this article, we’ll explore lessons from his life and share fun, practical ways to make his insights accessible to kids.
1. Find Your Passion: Why Loving What You Do Matters for Success
In his 2005 commencement speech to Stanford graduates, Jobs asserted the importance of finding and pursuing what you love. One of the most impactful lessons he shared can inspire how we guide children today: the power of following curiosity and passion.
When Jobs was a young adult, he decided to leave Reed College just six months into his freshman year. Although some will dismiss this decision, he did this for two very important reasons: he couldn’t afford the tuition, and he was uninterested in the classes he was forced to take. Overall, Jobs just didn’t know what he wanted to do at that point and didn’t want to waste his time and money.
But here is the interesting thing – Jobs didn’t leave the campus, get a job at a fast food restaurant, and give up – his desire to find his passion still drove him to explore new subjects. In fact, he audited classes that he found interesting and normally wouldn’t have an opportunity to take in his regular course structure. Reflecting on this, he shared, “The minute I dropped out, I could stop taking the required classes that didn’t interest me and begin dropping in on the ones that looked far more interesting.”
This choice led him to study subjects like calligraphy—something that might seem unrelated to a career in technology. However, his fascination with typefaces and design ultimately played a pivotal role in shaping Apple’s signature aesthetics.
For parents, this story offers a meaningful takeaway: encourage children to pursue their passions and embrace learning for its own sake. Skills and knowledge gained along the way may connect in ways that lead to extraordinary achievements.
2. How Interconnected Talents and Skills Shape Extraordinary Achievements
Did the calligraphy pay off? According to Jobs, it absolutely did.
Years later, Jobs played a pivotal role in designing how print would appear on Apple’s computer monitors. It was during this time that he drew upon the knowledge he had gained in those calligraphy classes, applying it to create the beautiful typefaces and typography we now associate with Apple’s iconic design.
This highlights a very valuable lesson: even seemingly unrelated or unconventional skills can play a vital role in shaping future success.
Talents are often interconnected, with skills that may not appear related are actually blending and enhancing each other in ways that aren’t always obvious. For example, Steve Jobs’ passion for calligraphy—a skill focused on the art of beautiful writing and precise design—played a key role in shaping how text and typography appear on Apple computers. This talent, rooted in creativity and attention to detail, unexpectedly became a cornerstone of modern computer design, influencing everything from fonts to user interfaces.
This merging of skills wasn’t limited to calligraphy. Jobs also drew inspiration from other disciplines, such as the Bauhaus design movement, which emphasized the harmony of simplicity, functionality, and beauty. By combining his artistic eye with his technical knowledge and vision for innovation, he was able to create products that were not just functional but aesthetically groundbreaking.
The lesson? Encourage children to explore different talents—whether in art, music, technology, or problem-solving—because these abilities can overlap in surprising ways, unlocking opportunities for innovation and creativity in the future.
3. Why Putting Love Into Everything You Do Can Lead to Big Rewards
Steve Jobs poured his passion and curiosity into everything he touched, even if it didn’t seem immediately practical.
His fascination with calligraphy, sparked by a random college course, didn’t align with traditional career paths but ended up shaping the future of typography and design in technology. Jobs later explained that his love for the artistry of letters directly influenced the beautiful fonts and interfaces that became hallmarks of Apple products.
The lesson? Encourage your children to approach every activity with care, interest, and passion, no matter how small or unrelated it may seem. Jobs’ life shows us that the skills we develop in one area can often resurface in unexpected and impactful ways.
For instance, if your child enjoys drawing or storytelling, remind them how these skills can contribute to creativity and problem-solving in future careers like design, advertising, or even tech development. Steve Jobs demonstrated that nothing learned with passion is ever wasted—it all connects in ways we might not see at first. By embracing curiosity and putting their heart into every pursuit, children can set the foundation for future success, just like Jobs did.
4. Turning Failure Into Success: Lessons on Resilience and Growth
One of the most important lessons Steve Jobs taught us is that failure isn’t the end—it’s a stepping stone to success. After being ousted from Apple, the very company he co-founded, Jobs didn’t let this setback define him. Instead, he used it as an opportunity to grow and innovate, founding companies like NeXT and Pixar, both of which would go on to achieve monumental success. When Jobs eventually returned to Apple, he led the company into a golden age of innovation, proving that setbacks can lead to even greater triumphs.
For parents, this is a powerful lesson to instill in children: failure is not something to fear but a natural part of the learning process. Encourage your kids to view mistakes as opportunities to grow and develop resilience. Whether they’re learning to ride a bike, tackling a tricky math problem, or pursuing a hobby, teach them to persevere and find solutions instead of giving up.
Help children see that every challenge offers valuable lessons and that persistence, adaptability, and a willingness to try again are key ingredients for success. By normalizing failure as part of life, we can inspire them to embrace challenges with confidence and creativity, just like Steve Jobs did.
Ready to help your child unlock their full potential? Explore how School is Easy can provide personalized tutoring and support to inspire their passion and creativity. Contact us today and take the first step toward their brighter future!
