Steve Jobs’s Philosophy of Life (Part III): The Virtues of Success
This article is part of a series that delves into the core beliefs guiding some of the world’s most successful individuals. Their remarkable achievements can often be traced back to a distinctive philosophy of life — a framework for living that enabled them to harness the full power of their mission, ambition, and purpose.
For each person that I analyze as a part of this series, I write four articles. Each article covers a component of their unique philosophy of life (meaning of life, priorities, virtues, and rules of life). This article is the third in my series on Steve Jobs and introduces his virtues. Enjoy!
Steve Jobs’s Virtues
In a philosophy of life, priorities guide long-term decisions and life direction to align with one meaning of life. Moreover, to ensure that every moment is lived with purpose, one must define their virtues. These are the non-negotiable ideals that one must uphold if they wish to live in accordance with their meaning of life. For Steve Jobs, several core virtues can be identified that not only shaped his personal character but also propelled his monumental success as an entrepreneur. These virtues, drawn from his actions, decisions, and personal admissions, illustrate a man deeply committed to living by principles that reflected his philosophical and spiritual beliefs.
Simplicity
“That’s been one of my mantras — focus and simplicity. Simple can be harder than complex: You have to work hard to get your thinking clean to make it simple. But it’s worth it in the end because once you get there, you can move mountains.”
Steve Jobs’s commitment to simplicity was profoundly influenced by his study of Zen Buddhism, which values minimalism and the essence of emptiness as pathways to truth and understanding. This philosophy translated into every aspect of his life, from his famously sparse wardrobe to the clean, intuitive design of Apple products. This approach reflects the Zen maxim of “less is more,” where removing the unnecessary can lead to a focus on what truly matters.
Excellence
“Be a yardstick of quality. Some people aren’t used to an environment where excellence is expected.”
Steve Jobs’s pursuit of excellence was a reflection of his belief every detail contributes to the harmony of the whole. Because of this, he demanded excellence in every aspect of his life and business, from the precise curvature of the MacBook’s corners to the specific shade of gray on an iPhone. His exacting standards ensured that each product was not only functional but also aesthetically pleasing, offering users a seamless integration of technology and design. This relentless pursuit of perfection was about more than creating successful products — it was about achieving a balance that resonated with both the user’s needs and the universal principles of beauty and functionality.
Intuition
“Intuition is a very powerful thing, more powerful than intellect, in my opinion. That’s had a big impact on my work.”
Jobs’s intuition — a central virtue in his decision-making process — was significantly nurtured by Zen Buddhism which promotes intuition as a way to gain direct insight beyond the logical mind. Jobs’s ability to anticipate market trends and envision innovative products without relying solely on market research was a testament to his cultivated intuition and hardened experience as a entrepreneur. Moreover, recognizing the power of his intuition, Steve practiced Zazen meditation which helped to clear his mind of delusion, allowing for insights that often led to revolutionary ideas.
Courage
“Remembering that you are going to die is the best way I know to avoid the trap of thinking you have something to lose. You are already naked. There is no reason not to follow your heart.”
Courage is perhaps one of the most striking virtues of Steve Jobs. It took tremendous courage to drop out of college, start a company out of his garage, and later, when ousted, to return and reinvent that same company, leading it to become one of the most valuable entities in the world. Jobs faced numerous setbacks and challenges throughout his career, but his willingness to take bold risks epitomized his entrepreneurial spirit and his commitment to his vision. His courage was not reckless but calculated and driven by a deep belief in his mission and abilities.
Create Your Own Philosophy of Life
I hope you enjoyed the article and appreciated this more holistic approach to looking at self-improvement.
If you are interested in building your own philosophy of life, I think you will find incredible value in the free quiz I developed to help you identify your philosophical archetype.
The quiz takes only 5 minutes to complete and will provide you with the insights and tools you need to transform your life by creating your own philosophy of life, much like the one you read about today!
👉 Take the free Philosophy of Life Archetype Quiz: https://dszvbdqmc1z.typeform.com/archetype
👀 Read Part IV in This Series: https://medium.com/@thephilosophyoflifemethod/steve-jobss-philosophy-of-life-part-iv-four-rules-of-life-8adfb68ff48e
