Steve Jobs: Lifelong Success Begins with One Simple Discovery

It’s easy to think that iconic figures like Steve Jobs, or even the high-powered individuals you may encounter, possess something extraordinary, whether it’s intelligence, talent, creativity, or connections. However, scratch the surface of success, and you’ll often find impostor syndrome lurking within, that nagging feeling of inadequacy despite undeniable achievements. Steve Jobs summed it up perfectly:

“Life can be much broader once you discover one simple fact: Everything around you that you call ‘life’ was made up by people who were no smarter than you. And you can change it. The minute you understand you can change it, you can mold it… that’s maybe the most important thing: to shake off this erroneous notion that life is there and you’re just going to live in it, versus embrace it, change it, improve it… and make your mark upon it.”

Steve Jobs was a complex personality, a visionary entrepreneur who sometimes had unusual habits, and a leader who wasn’t always the warmest boss. But we’re all mixed bags, with our moments of insecurity and messiness. As Avenged Sevenfold’s Synyster Gates wisely noted, “Everyone is some sort of [screwed] up.”

And that’s not depressing; it’s empowering, especially when you consider other examples. Take Richard Branson, the quintessential entrepreneur and philanthropist, who, behind the public facade, expressed self-doubt. Or Metallica’s Kirk Hammett, who was nervous about appearing in a magazine like Inc. We could go on with more examples, all showing that beneath the surface, we’re all just people with our doubts and fears.

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Why? Because we’re all just human. Regardless of outward appearances, we share the same insecurities and anxieties. Even the high-powered investor you’re about to pitch to is grappling with uncertainties about the future and her ability to spot the next big opportunity.

So, the next time you feel nervous about connecting with someone, remember that it’s okay to be nervous about your performance, as long as you’re prepared. But don’t be nervous about the person. Everyone, no matter how successful they seem, is just as human as you, filled with their own fears and vulnerabilities.

In the end, we’re all the same, and that’s a powerful realization. It means you can be just as successful, in your own way, as the people you admire, no matter how smart, talented, or well-connected they appear. Success, in any form you define it, is within your reach, because deep down, we’re all fundamentally alike in the best possible way.