An Apple a Day...

I’m not a fan of Apple.

I don’t like the way their gear is three times the price of an equivalent bit of plastic from a Korean manufacturer.

I’m not a fan of the way they make everything they do completely incompatible with everyone else’s technology, thereby forcing you to worship at the church of Apple for all eternity. When you made that decision to buy an iPod Nano five years ago, little did you know it was leading you into a life of Macbooks, file converters and problems with anything Microsoft… a true case of living the i-life.

Having said all that, I have the greatest of respect for their chief priest and semi god, Steve Jobs. What a marketer! Steve has taught me a lot about life, love and success. Today I am using a Macbook in honour of one of the world’s greatest inventors, PR guru’s and marketing machines and wanted to share some of his ethos.

Follow your heart

Have a vision of what you want to do, then do what you need to your own way without letting external influences affect you. Almost everything, all external expectations from pride to fear of embarrassment, all this fades away in the face of death, leaving only the things that are really important. Remembering he was going to die (probably not as soon as he did) was one way Steve avoided thinking he had something to lose. There is no reason not to follow your heart.

Trust yourself

If you believe you can quit your day job and make a living as a freelancer, do it. You have to trust in something – karma, life, your gut, whatever – and then just grab that ticket and ride the wave.

Love what you do

You have to be committed to your business: your passion holds the key to success. The only way to do great work is to love what you do and put your heart and soul into it.

Quality over quantity every time

Don’t work for the money. Don’t sacrifice turning out 5 great projects in favour of 10 average ones. Your reputation will be in tatters, your ego dented and your self respect shamed.

Steal great ideas

(Yes, an odd one to take from Steve Jobs, I know, especially as Apple are in the midst of spending a zillion dollars trying to sue Samsung for nicking their designs) Read other people’s blogs, articles, see how successful companies market themselves. Understand the trends in the marketplace and the hot topics. Spending time on social networking sites is not always ‘skiving’, often it is the most valuable research you can do.

Don’t lose faith

Starting your own venture is hard. Whether it’s a business, a blog or project at home, there is a high chance of failure and giving up too soon. Focus on your dreams and set your goals one step at a time each day.

One of my favourite Steve Jobs quotes: 

Sometimes life hits you in the head with a brick. 

Don’t lose faith.

Thanks for the inspiration Steve.