Speech at Stanford University - Steve Jobs

When I was 17, I read a quote that went something like: “If you live eachday as if it was your last, someday you’ll most certainly be right.” It made animpression on me, and since then, for the past 33 years, I have looked inthe mirror every morning and asked myself: “If today were the last day ofmy life, would I want to do what I am about to do today?” And wheneverthe answer has been “No” for too many days in a row, I know I need tochange something.Remembering that I’ll be dead soon is the most important tool I’ve everencountered to help me make the big choices in life. Because almosteverything — all external expectations, all pride, all fear of embarrassmentor failure – these things just fall away in the face of death, leaving onlywhat is truly important. Remembering that you are going to die is the bestway I know to avoid the trap of thinking you have something to lose. Youare already naked. There is no reason not to follow your heart.