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. Because 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.
What's the meaning of this quote?
Quote Meaning: This quote underlines the significance of mortality in shaping our perspectives and guiding our decision-making. By embracing the inevitability of death, we can filter out the distractions and trivialities that often consume our thoughts and actions. This powerful realization helps us to focus on what truly matters in life, such as our relationships, personal growth, and the pursuit of meaningful experiences. By keeping the finiteness of our existence at the forefront of our minds, we can more readily disregard external pressures and prioritize the things that align with our core values, leading to a more authentic and fulfilling life.
Who said the quote?
The quote "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. Because 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." was said by Steve Jobs (Bio / Quotes). Steve Jobs was a visionary entrepreneur and co-founder of Apple Inc.
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Is there a historical example that illustrates the message of the quote?
One powerful historical example that illustrates this quote comes from the life of the Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius. Marcus Aurelius is best known for his philosophical work *Meditations*, in which he reflects on Stoic principles and the nature of life and death. Throughout his reign, Aurelius was confronted with numerous challenges, including military conflicts and personal losses.
Aurelius’s reflections often centered on the inevitability of death and the transient nature of life. His awareness of his mortality helped him focus on what truly mattered. For instance, during the Marcomannic Wars, when the Roman Empire faced significant threats from barbarian tribes, Aurelius did not let personal glory or the pursuit of fame distract him. Instead, he remained committed to his duties as a leader and to the welfare of his people, embodying the Stoic ideal of prioritizing virtue over external achievements.
In one particularly notable instance, Aurelius faced a severe outbreak of plague that decimated his troops and citizens alike. Amidst this crisis, he did not succumb to despair or let the situation undermine his principles. Instead, he used this moment to reinforce his belief in focusing on what is truly important—duty, compassion, and resilience. His writings during this period reveal how his contemplation of mortality sharpened his focus on essential values and actions, rather than getting caught up in the superficial aspects of leadership or personal accolades.
Aurelius’s life and philosophy demonstrate how a deep awareness of death can distill one’s priorities and enhance clarity in making significant choices, aligning closely with the quote’s message about the power of confronting mortality to prioritize what truly matters.
How can the quote be applied in a real-life scenario?
In real life, applying the quote can significantly impact decision-making and overall life satisfaction. Consider a person grappling with a major career decision, such as whether to pursue a new job opportunity that involves relocating to a different city. This decision may come with significant risks, such as leaving behind familiar surroundings, facing uncertainty, or experiencing fear of failure.
When faced with this decision, contemplating one's mortality can offer profound clarity. By reflecting on the fact that life is finite and that we will all eventually face death, one can gain a fresh perspective on what truly matters. In this case, instead of being paralyzed by the fear of leaving behind a comfortable routine or the anxiety of potential failure, the individual might focus on what will bring a deeper sense of fulfillment and purpose.
If the new job opportunity aligns with one's passions or long-term goals, embracing the reality of mortality might help prioritize these meaningful aspirations over transient concerns. This approach can shift the focus from external judgments, societal expectations, or the fear of making a mistake to what aligns with one's core values and long-term happiness.
For example, imagine someone who has always dreamed of working in a field that aligns with their personal values and interests but feels hesitant due to the fear of failure or leaving a stable job. By reflecting on the transient nature of life and the inevitability of death, they might realize that the opportunity to pursue their dream aligns more closely with what they find truly important, such as personal fulfillment, growth, and making a meaningful impact.
In summary, applying the quote in real life involves using the awareness of mortality to cut through superficial concerns and focus on what genuinely matters. This can lead to more authentic and fulfilling choices, ensuring that one's actions and decisions are guided by values and passions rather than external pressures or fleeting fears.
Applying the quote to your life
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Chief Editor
Tal Gur is an author, founder, and impact-driven entrepreneur at heart. After trading his daily grind for a life of his own daring design, he spent a decade pursuing 100 major life goals around the globe. His journey and most recent book, The Art of Fully Living, has led him to found Elevate Society.
