Steve Jobs co-founded Apple in 1976, and by the early 1980s, the company was a major player in the tech industry, largely due to the success of the Apple II and the introduction of the Macintosh in 1984. However, despite these successes, Jobs’ abrasive management style led to internal conflicts. In 1985, after a power struggle with the company’s board and then-CEO John Sculley, Jobs was ousted from Apple. This was a devastating blow for Jobs, who had poured his heart and soul into the company.
The Journey:
After leaving Apple, Jobs founded NeXT, a computer platform development company aimed at higher education and business markets. While NeXT’s products were technologically advanced, they were commercially unsuccessful, and the company struggled financially. During this period, Jobs also acquired a small animation studio from George Lucas, which he renamed Pixar.
Pixar, under Jobs’ leadership, shifted its focus from hardware to creating computer-animated films. In 1995, Pixar released “Toy Story,” the first-ever fully computer-animated feature film. It was a groundbreaking success, both critically and financially, and it established Pixar as a leader in the animation industry. Pixar’s success culminated in its acquisition by Disney in 2006, making Jobs a billionaire.
The Return:
Meanwhile, Apple was floundering without Jobs. By the mid-1990s, the company was struggling financially and losing market share. In 1996, Apple acquired NeXT for its advanced operating system, bringing Jobs back to the company he had co-founded. Initially brought on as an advisor, Jobs quickly took control and was named interim CEO in 1997.
Jobs initiated a series of transformative changes at Apple. He streamlined the product line, focused on design and user experience, and launched innovative products like the iMac, iPod, iPhone, and iPad. These products not only revitalized Apple but also set new standards in technology and design, leading to Apple’s dramatic turnaround.
Steve Jobs’ comeback story is a testament to his visionary thinking, relentless pursuit of excellence, and unparalleled skills in design and marketing. His ability to foresee and shape consumer trends, coupled with his insistence on perfection, drove Apple’s resurgence. Under Jobs’ leadership, Apple became one of the most valuable companies in the world, revolutionizing multiple industries.
Steve Jobs’ legacy extends far beyond the products he created. He demonstrated that failure can be a stepping stone to greater success if one possesses the skills, vision, and determination to learn and grow from setbacks. His journey from being ousted from Apple to returning and leading it to unprecedented heights remains one of the most inspiring stories in business history.
One of my favorite pair of words. I say this a lot. It is more about what you are BECOMING than what you are GETTING. What you get is so fragile; you could lose it in a heartbeat. What you become stays with you and provides you with the ability to get more.
This is not a new concept. Remember they taught us in school, “Labor for learning before you grow old, because education is better than silver and gold. Silver and gold will vanish away, but a good education will never decay.”
This education is not necessarily about degrees or subjects. I speak of knowledge, wisdom, and skill. Develop your craft, strive for excellence, and do it better than the other guy. Becoming suggests growth. Never, never get comfortable and complacent; it is as dangerous as getting greedy and arrogant. You never know it all. This world changes every minute. Be a lover of knowledge and a lifelong learner. All your life, you have to nurture your body, so do it for the mind too.
How do you grow? Read something educational in the area of your work and passion. Talk to people who have done what you want to do. Listen to self-development content on YouTube. Read and learn something about money, savings, and investments. Dedicate 3 minutes of your social media time to Google and read something on success and happiness. It’s not that hard. We spend hours watching fights, funny stuff, and digging into celebrities’ business, who are already successful. Discipline yourself to read something mindful at least once a week.
The moral of the story: don’t lose yourself chasing material things and end up with a full pocket and an empty head. An empty head eventually empties the pocket and empties life.
