What is the most important lesson you learned from Steve Jobs' Stanford Commencement Speech, and how can you apply it to your life and future career?

Life can be unpredictable. Things don't always go your way. And we must not let it pull us down because what you think is a rejection might just be life’s way of redirection. Steve Jobs’ Stanford Commencement Speech shows exactly that. “Your downfall could be a start of your successful journey,” said Job after he told the story of how he got fired from Apple, the very own company he created. You may see your failure as an endpoint when, in reality, it can be the beginning of something even greater for you to discover.

Society’s Fear in Failure

Steve Jobs is one of the most successful entrepreneurs in history. Starting a company from scratch from his garage to building it as one of the major companies in the industry. You’d be living under a rock if you haven’t heard about him, or at least one of his products. However, even with his great wins, he was not immune to suffering. At one point of his life, he hit rock bottom. He was fired from Apple, the very company he built. If a man as successful as him experiences life’s setback, must we expect our own lives to follow a perfect, linear path? Of course not. We all experience life with ups and downs. Life will challenge us, shake our foundations, and knock us down when we least expect it.

In our society, failure is seen as a defeat. Something that must not happen and should be avoided. We have been conditioned to let our mistake define our worth and overshadow our years of effort. Pressured to either maintain the good, or become better and the best. This has made individuals hesitate in taking risks due to fear of failure and judgement. But what if our experience in failure is not a dead end or rock bottom with no way up, but instead is a part of our journey towards success?

Our surroundings have conditioned and taught us that success is the goal and failure is something shameful. Schools reward high achievers, while those who struggle are often overlooked or labeled as "not good enough." This fear can lead to risk aversion, where individuals opt for safer, more conventional paths rather than exploring innovative or entrepreneurial ventures. This mindset continues into adulthood—people hesitate to start businesses, switch careers, or chase their passions because they fear failing in front of others.

Social media develops this fear of failure by curating an illusion of perfection. Content creators showcase only the part they want their viewers to see–their best moments. This results in concealing the process and struggles that they experienced that shaped their success. As stated by Ahmed (2023), social media can create unrealistic expectations and amplify stress, aligning with the user task's assertion about the impact of highlight reels on individual perceptions of success. As a result, many began to believe that success should be immediate and flawless. But in reality, every success story is built on a foundation of failures, lessons, and resilience.

Failure is Neutral

Failure is not a sign of incompetence; it is a sign of growth. Some of the most groundbreaking innovations and inspiring success stories were born from setbacks. Entrepreneurs who once started business in their garage or college dorm now built multi-million-dollar companies. Writers who faced countless rejections went on to create bestseller books. Scientists who made mistakes in their research discovered life-changing breakthroughs.

More than just external achievements, failure builds resilience. It teaches perseverance, adaptability, and self-awareness—qualities that are essential for long-term success. When people embrace failure as a learning experience rather than a personal flaw, they open themselves up to new opportunities and creative problem-solving.

To truly foster innovation and progress, society must redefine its perspective on failure. Because as Sagan Morrow said, “Failure is not your downfall, nor is it a prerequisite to success. Failure is neutral.” This means that failure, in itself, holds no inherent negative or positive value—it is simply an event, a moment of learning, or a stepping stone toward growth. It is how we choose to perceive and respond to failure that ultimately determines its impact on our lives.

To break free from this limiting mindset, individuals should embrace challenges without the fear of embarrassment or defeat. By viewing failure as a learning experience rather than a final judgment, people can develop resilience, adaptability, and the courage to pursue ambitious goals.

If society shifts its perspective and normalizes failure as part of the journey, people will be more willing to take calculated risks and push boundaries. Innovation thrives in environments where individuals feel safe to experiment, make mistakes, and refine their ideas. When we stop fearing failure and start embracing it as a natural and necessary process, we unlock the potential for true progress—both personally and collectively.

It’s Not Rejection, It’s Just Redirection

One example of life’s unpredictability is my own academic journey. The fact that the program I am currently enrolled in was not my first choice. It wasn’t that hard to accept. It wasn’t really far from the program I wanted. I know that fate has led me to a place where I can find deep enjoyment and fulfillment—perhaps even more than I would have felt had things gone according to my original plan.

“It's not rejection, it’s just redirection.”