You can’t connect the dots looking forward; you can only connect them looking backwards. So you have to trust that the dots will somehow connect in your future. You have to trust in something – your gut, destiny, life, karma, whatever. This approach has never let me down, and it has made all the difference in my life.
What's the meaning of this quote?
Quote Meaning: The quote highlights the idea that we can't predict our future and how everything will unfold. It is only by looking back that we can see how the various events in our lives have connected to lead us to where we are now. Trusting that the dots will connect in the future is crucial to moving forward in life. Whether it's our gut, destiny, or karma, having faith in something greater than ourselves can help us make decisions and take actions that lead to success.
Who said the quote?
The quote "You can't connect the dots looking forward; you can only connect them looking backwards. So you have to trust that the dots will somehow connect in your future. You have to trust in something - your gut, destiny, life, karma, whatever. This approach has never let me down, and it has made all the difference in my life." was said by Steve Jobs (Bio / Quotes). Steve Jobs was a visionary entrepreneur and co-founder of Apple Inc.
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What's the quote's message?
This quote is a profound reminder about the essence of life's journey and the element of uncertainty that comes with it. The 'dots' symbolize the different experiences, choices, and events that shape our lives. When we're in the thick of things, it's often hard to see how these individual dots relate to the bigger picture. It's only when we look back, with the benefit of hindsight, that we see how each dot, each decision, each turn of events has led us to where we are now, how they've connected to form the trajectory of our lives. This implies that our future is not always something we can predict or plan with precision. Therefore, we must have faith in the process, trust in our intuition, and believe in the power of time to reveal the pattern. Whether it's destiny, karma, or your gut feeling, trust in something becomes the guiding force that helps navigate the uncertainty of the future. This doesn't mean that planning or foresight is irrelevant, rather it's a recognition that life is a blend of strategic planning and embracing the unexpected. The beauty of life, therefore, lies in this unpredictability and the faith we maintain throughout the journey.
Is there a historical example that illustrates the message of the quote?
This quote, famously delivered by Steve Jobs during his 2005 Stanford Commencement Address, speaks to the unpredictable nature of life and the importance of trusting in the journey, even when the destination or path forward is unclear. An historical example that illustrates this message is the life of Abraham Lincoln.
Abraham Lincoln, the 16th president of the United States, is renowned for his leadership during the American Civil War and his role in ending slavery. However, his path to the presidency and his place in history was far from predictable or linear.
Born into a poor family in Kentucky, Lincoln had only a sporadic formal education. He worked various jobs, including manual labor, before teaching himself law and passing the bar exam. He served in the Illinois state legislature and the U.S. House of Representatives, but he also faced numerous defeats in his political career. He lost his bid for the U.S. Senate twice, in 1854 and 1858.
However, the 1858 Senate race brought him into the national spotlight due to his debates with Stephen Douglas, which revolved largely around the issue of slavery. Despite losing the Senate race, his strong stance against the expansion of slavery raised his profile and won him the Republican nomination for president in 1860.
If Lincoln had tried to predict or plan his future, it would have been nearly impossible for him to foresee that a series of failures and setbacks would ultimately lead him to the presidency and a place in history as one of America's greatest leaders. The 'dots' in his life - his humble beginnings, his self-taught legal career, his political losses - only connect looking backward, forming a path that led him to a crucial role in preserving the Union and ending slavery.
In this way, Lincoln's life story illustrates the message of the quote: he could not connect the dots looking forward, only looking backward. He had to trust in something - his beliefs, his persistence, his vision for a better nation - and this approach ultimately made all the difference in his life and the course of American history.
How can the quote be applied in a real-life scenario?
This quote, famously uttered by Steve Jobs, is about embracing the uncertainty of life and recognizing that every experience, good or bad, is a piece of the larger puzzle of your life. It suggests that while you may not know exactly where you're headed, the actions you take and the decisions you make today are crucial to where you'll end up tomorrow.
Let's consider a real-life scenario where this quote might be applicable. Imagine you're a young woman named Sarah who has just graduated from college with a degree in computer science. You've spent the past few years honing your skills, doing internships, and preparing to launch a career in the tech industry. You land a job at a reputable tech firm, and everything seems to be going according to plan.
After a year or so in your position, you start to feel unfulfilled and restless. You find yourself drawn to the idea of social entrepreneurship and feel a calling to apply your skills in technology to create meaningful change in the world. This is quite a departure from your original career path, and you're not sure if this is the right decision or if it will lead to success.
In the spirit of Jobs' quote, you decide to trust your gut, take the leap, and start a social entrepreneurship venture that leverages technology to improve access to clean water in underserved communities.
Fast forward a few years, your venture is a success, and you feel incredibly fulfilled in your work. Looking back, you can see how your background in computer science and your experience in the tech firm were not wasted, but in fact, were crucial dots on your path. They provided you with the necessary skills and understanding to successfully utilize technology in your current venture. You couldn't have connected those dots looking forward from your graduation day, but looking back, it all makes sense.
In this scenario, the application of Jobs' quote is clear: trust in your instincts, lean into the uncertainty of the future, and believe that your experiences, however unrelated they may seem, are stepping stones on your unique path. You may not see how the dots connect looking forward, but in hindsight, the picture will become clearer.
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.
