“You’ve got to find what you love.
And that is as true for your work as it is for your lovers.
Your work is going to fill a large part of your life,
and the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work.
And the only way to do great work is to love what you do.
If you haven’t found it yet, keep looking.
Don’t settle.
As with all matters of the heart, you’ll know when you find it.
And, like any great relationship, it just gets better and better as the years roll on.
So keep looking until you find it.
Don’t settle…
Your time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life.
Don’t be trapped by dogma — which is living with the results of other people’s thinking.
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.
They somehow already know what you truly want to become.
Everything else is secondary.”
— Steve Jobs
In his iconic Stanford Commencement Address in 2005, the late Steve Jobs shared powerful lessons on following your passion in work and love. Facing pancreatic cancer, Jobs emphasized the importance of doing what you love, urging the graduates not to settle for less but to keep searching until they find what truly excites them. His words were a call to live with purpose, particularly in times of adversity.
Jobs also warned against being swayed by societal expectations or others’ opinions. His philosophy—finding fulfillment through passion—shaped his extraordinary career and continues to inspire millions to pursue their true passions without compromise. “Don’t settle” is not just a workplace mantra but a reminder for all aspects of life—work, relationships, and personal growth.
In Filipino culture, the phrase “pwede na ‘yan” (that’s good enough) reflects a tendency to accept mediocrity out of convenience or fear of failure. While this mindset may provide temporary comfort, it often prevents us from reaching our potential. Jobs’ message challenges us to reject complacency and pursue what we truly love, both in our careers and relationships.
Settling in Work: A Barrier to Fulfillment and Growth
In many Filipino households, work is often seen as a means to an end—earning a paycheck to support the family, even if the job lacks fulfillment. The phrase “pwede na ‘yan” reflects this resignation to what’s “good enough.” Many Filipinos, for example, may choose careers for practicality rather than passion, or stay in jobs that drain them without offering purpose.
Jobs’ advice to “love what you do” directly challenges this mindset. Mediocre work may provide stability, but it rarely leads to satisfaction. Passion-driven work not only fosters personal growth but can have a broader impact on the world. When we settle for less, we fail to unlock our full potential. But when we find work that excites us, it becomes more than a job—it becomes a source of pride, inspiration, and fulfillment.
Settling in Relationships: Blocking the Space for True Love
The impact of settling isn’t limited to work—it extends into our personal relationships. Many settle for relationships that don’t meet their emotional or psychological needs. This can be due to societal pressure to “settle down” or fear of being alone.
In Filipino culture, familial expectations often guide relationship choices, leading people to stay in relationships that meet society’s standards, even when they’re not truly aligned with their desires. However, Jobs reminded us that great relationships stem from genuine love and mutual growth. Settling for a partner who’s not right for us can close us off to the possibility of a deeper, more meaningful connection.
Jobs’ message about relationships is simple: “Keep looking until you find it.” Settling for a relationship that’s “good enough” may prevent us from experiencing love that grows and deepens over time. By rejecting mediocrity in love, we make room for a connection that truly inspires us to be better.
Living Authentically: Finding True Happiness
Jobs also warned against living according to others’ expectations—what he called “dogma.” Many Filipinos face immense pressure to follow a prescribed path in life, whether it’s choosing a stable career or pursuing relationships that meet external approval. These pressures often lead us to live lives that aren’t fully our own.
Jobs urged us to follow our hearts and intuition, as they “already know what you truly want to become.” Living authentically requires the courage to step away from what others think is best for us and embrace our true passions. The fear of disappointing others can be paralyzing, but Jobs reminded us that life is too short to live someone else’s life. By embracing our own desires, we open ourselves to endless possibilities.
The Courage to Pursue Passion
At its core, Steve Jobs’ message is clear: never settle. Settling for mediocrity, whether in work, relationships, or life, prevents us from reaching our fullest potential. This is especially relevant in Filipino culture, where settling is often seen as practical or conflict-averse. However, Jobs’ philosophy urges us to challenge this mindset and pursue what truly excites us.
Embracing passion requires vulnerability, resilience, and courage. But it’s the only way to create a life that is meaningful, satisfying, and aligned with our deepest desires.
In conclusion, Steve Jobs’ call to action—”Don’t settle”—reminds us to strive for more, pursue what we love, and live authentically. Settling for mediocrity may seem safe, but it keeps us from experiencing the fullness of life. By choosing passion over complacency, we can build lives that are not only fulfilling but impactful. The time to stop settling is now—our potential is too great to waste.
