“I have looked in the mirror every morning and asked myself: “If today were the last day of my life, would I want to do what I am about to do today?” And whenever the answer has been “No” for too many days in a row, I now I need to change something…Your work is going to fill a large part of your life, and the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work. And the only way to do great work is to love what you do. If you haven’t found it yet, keep looking.”
-Steve Jobs
Do you believe in what you do each and everyday? Are you able to answer your why each and everyday? These are questions that rely on some deep soul searching within us all and there are some days where our beliefs will be challenged for sure. I know there have been times where I have had self doubt creep in now and again. I think the question that former chairman, chief executive officer (CEO), and co-founder of Apple Inc Steve Jobs once said is what challenges our own moral compass: If this were the last day of our lives, would we want to do what we are currently doing today? It made me wonder do we ask ourselves this simplistic but powerful question. If we do not, then we need to start right here, right now.
Remember, our moral compass are those values and internal beliefs in why we do what we do. If we do not love what we do then why is it that we do it? No amount of money will truly ever satisfy you nor any accolades that may come with it. The only internal reward comes from within and having the ability to impact the lives of others. You may disagree with me but for me that is my why. When I cannot answer Steve Jobs’ question honestly then it is time for me to find a new why, a new calling. Jobs also said our work will fill a large part of our life, but to me it shouldn’t be labeled as work because the word work has over the years been associated with stress and to be honest negativity. Work should be changed to being our true calling. When it becomes this, everything we do is done for the cause and not for the applause. So my question for you is do you love what you do?
What does this quote mean to you and how can you apply today’s message towards defining/refining your own moral compass?
Becoming The Change 