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Success quote of the day by Steve Jobs: "Remembering that I'll be dead soon is..."

etimes.in | Last updated on - Jun 9, 2026, 17:00 IST
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Steve Jobs' wise words

"Remembering that I'll be dead soon is the most important tool I've ever encountered to help me make the big choices in life. Almost everything, all external expectations, all pride, all fear of embarrassment or failure, these things just fall away in the face of death, leaving only what is truly important. Remembering that you are going to die is the best way I know to avoid the trap of thinking you have something to lose. You are already naked. There is no reason not to follow your heart." - Steve Jobs

This quote from Steve Jobs cuts through everything we usually worry about when making life choices.It's not a cheerful reminder about living happily.It’s a raw , honest truth that helps you see what really matters when you strip everything away. Jobs believed the death wasn’t about fear , but about clarity. It’s the tool that helps you determine what to pursue, what to ignore , what path to take when everything else feels confusing. Through this quote, Steve Jobs challenges the way we view success. We often let external expectations dictate our lives, like what our parents want or what society expects of us. We often worry about failure. But, Jobs says all of that falls away when you remember you're going to die. In the face of death, none of those things matter anymore. What's left is only what is truly important to you.


2/4

The power of remembering death

Most people don’t want to think about death.It feels uncomfortable, scary, or meaningless.But Jobs argues that remembering death is actually liberating. When you truly accept that life is finite, you stop wasting time on things that don’t matter.You stop caring what other people think. You stop protecting your ego.You stop holding back because you’re afraid of losing something.

Jobs uses a powerful metaphor: “You are already naked."This means you have nothing to lose. You weren't born with money, status, or achievements.You came into this world with nothing. So going through life thinking you have something to lose is a trap.You're already naked. You're already empty-handed.The only thing you can do is follow your heart.

3/4

Steve Jobs on true success

Success is not only about making money or receiving awards. It’s about living life on your own terms. Jobs’ quote is a reminder that if you take away the fear, pride, and external pressure, you’re left with what your heart truly wants.That’s where true success begins.So many people work their whole lives chasing after what they think will make them successful, but they never feel fulfilled. They’re following someone else’s idea of success. Jobs’ quote inspires us to ask ourselves: What do I really want? What matters to me when I strip away all the noise? When you remember that life is short, you stop waiting for the perfect moment. You stop hesitating.You start taking risks.You follow your passion even when it's scary.You don't let fear of failure stop you because you know failure doesn't matter in the end.Death doesn't care about your résumé.It only cares that you lived.

4/4

Following your heart despite fear

The hardest part of following your heart is the fear. Fear of embarrassment.Fear of judgment. Fear of failing.Jobs says remember death, and those fears disappear. They lose their power.When you know you're going to die, embarrassment doesn't matter. Failure doesn't matter. Pride doesn't matter.Only what you feel is true matters. This does not mean that you should be reckless. It means that you should be brave. It means that you should choose what matters over what is safe. It means that you should trust your heart even when others do not understand.

A reminder to live authentically Steve Jobs' quote is ultimately a reminder to live authentically. It is about stopping the performance, dropping the mask and being honest with yourself. When you remember death you stop pretending. You stop chasing what others want. You start living for yourself.The trap of thinking you have something to lose is one of the biggest obstacles to success. Jobs says you're already naked. You have nothing.So follow your heart. Take the risk. Build what you believe in.Love who you want to love. Live the life that feels true to you.This quote isn't about morbid thoughts. It's about clarity.It's about stripping away everything that doesn't matter and focusing on what does. And when you do that, success becomes simpler.It becomes about following your heart, not about proving yourself to anyone.

Remembering you'll be dead soon is the most important tool Jobs ever found. Maybe it's the most important tool any of us can use. Because when you remember death, you finally start living.



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Copyright © Jun 9, 2026, 05.07PM IST Bennett, Coleman & Co. Ltd. All rights reserved. For reprint rights: Times Syndication Service