Quote of the day by Steve Jobs: “Don’t let the noise of others’ opinions drown out your own inner voice”

We often depend on what others say or believe about us, how they appreciate us, criticise us, or what they talk behind our backs, and end up impacting ourselves.

But does what others think about us actually change who we really are?

The answer is ‘NO’.
Letting others decide your self-worth can actually lead to an emotionally draining path, and that too for something that may not be true!



Apple co-founder and legend Steve Jobs once spoke about this while delivering a speech at Stanford University.
Thumb Photo: @readswithravi/ X

“Don’t let the noise of others’ opinions drown out your own inner voice”

- Steve Jobs
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Steve Jobs once said, “Don’t let the noise of others’ opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition”.

In just a few words, he spoke, one of the most thought-provoking and compelling words, explaining that when we listen too much to what everyone else thinks, we lose touch with what we truly believe and want.

“Noise” here means the constant judgments, advice, and comparisons that come from friends, family, critics, in fact, strangers who have absolutely no say in who you truly are. Your “inner voice” or conscience is that quieter sense of what feels right, what excites you, and what aligns with your values.

By these words, Jobs doesn’t tell us to ignore all feedback; instead, he says that when you listen too much to everyone else, you lose sight of your own direction and start making decisions based on what others think of you rather than your genuine beliefs.

Practicing this advice doesn’t mean shutting the world out or absolutely paying no heed to guidance. It can also look like incorporating habits that keep you aligned with your conscience, like limiting constant comparison or reflection and talking to yourself before making any big decisions like, “Am I doing this because I genuinely want to, or because I’m afraid of what others will think?”

Sometimes, spending time alone without any distractions like walking, journaling, or just sitting, to hear your own thoughts more clearly can also help.