<ul><li>See problems from different angles, forming associations, and links.</li><li>Shake things up, change random things, and you may get new ideas.</li><li>Practice every day to form new associations and connections.</li></ul>

Think different

<ul><li>Don't waste time on non-essential and trivial things. </li><li>Simply quit worrying about what other people think, and focus on your goal.</li></ul>

Focus on the essentials of your life

<ul><li>Take a step back before starting. Do you like doing something or do you just like the idea of it being done?</li><li>Share your progress and test the responses and feedback.</li><li>A fresh approach and new niche increase the chances of success in your venture.</li></ul>

Find and do what you Love

<ul><li>Find out if the problem really exists, and why. This will open a path to alternative ways of solving it.</li><li>Some problems, which seem complex, often have simple solutions.</li><li>What is the surest thing in that complex problem? That becomes your First Principle, your starting point.</li><li>List out the possible solutions</li><li>Focus on one good solution while removing the rest.</li></ul>

Seek Simplicity

<ul><li>When a request comes to you in person, pause and count to three before delivering your decision. </li><li>Explain that you are focused on other things right now but would love to get together when you can.</li><li>Request that you will check your calendar and get back to them. This will give you time to pause and assess your priorities. </li><li>Use Vacation responders even on days when you are at work, letting the emailers know that you are busy for a few hours doing focussed work.</li><li>Let your bosses know that doing the assigned task will mean less priority to the other tasks.</li><li>Clarify exactly what you are willing to do and what you aren't willing.</li><li>Suggest Someone else who might help the person in a better way.</li></ul>

Saying NO: Steve Jobs style

<ul><li>Keep learning: Read a book while you are idle, and you can finish 50 books a year.</li><li>Make a 'To Learn' list, like a new language, or skill.</li><li>Try to be with intellectual friends.</li><li>Teach: teaching forces you to look at a concept with a beginner’s mind, providing the clarity and insight you lacked.</li><li>Unlearn: Unlearning is as crucial as new learning, as the mind stays agile and fresh.</li></ul>

Connect the dots

When preparing and giving presentations:<ul><li>Have a catchy phrase that resonates among all.</li><li>Get into a story-telling mode, as a good story captivates the audience.</li><li>Focus on three key points and no more. This is the ideal number that people can retain in their memories.</li><li>Use lots of pictures, clear fonts, and a few, impactful words.</li><li>Practice a lot, so that your presentation comes across as natural.</li></ul>

Mastering the Message

<ul>
<li>The more your knowledge, the better you can predict, plan ahead and respond to problems. Educate yourself and leverage that knowledge towards an optimal result. 
</li>
<li>Consider the relationship between cause and effect in every decision you make, and how each choice impacts the next one.
</li>
<li>Slow down, and consider all options. </li>
<li>Observe what’s around you, evaluate choices and act with awareness.</li>
</ul>

Live in the Future

<ul><li>Write down the end goal.</li><li>Divide the goal into specific actions you need to take to get there. Think in terms of systems: focussed, routine actions that you can do daily.</li><li>List all your tasks and rank them according to effort and impact. This makes prioritizing tasks easier.</li><li>Do the highest priority task using focused, distraction-free blocks of time.</li><li>Keep repeating this until you achieve your goal</li></ul>

Focus on what matters

<ul><li>Delegate to the right person, providing clear instructions.</li><li>Define outcomes and goalposts.</li><li>Ask for Clarification and questions.</li><li>Have the task explained back to you, to minimize miscommunication.</li></ul>

Delegate tasks 

“Deciding what not to do is as important as deciding what to do. It’s true for companies, and it’s true for products."

In less than 40 years in business, Jobs revolutionized 6 different industries. He was obviously a smarter than average individual with enormous creativity, ambition, and drive. But I believe that us mere mortals can incorporate some of Steve Jobs success secrets into our lives.

Focus on what matters

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