Steve Jobs Was So Successful Because He Mastered 'Deep Work'

Steve Jobs' co-founding of Apple set him on the way to be one of the most successful entrepreneurs ever.

We'd all love to be as rich and successful as Jobs, but first you have to know how to work like the man.

Credit: PA

To do this you have to understand that slowness makes perfect - like a fine whiskey.

To be slow in business can often be seen as a disadvantage, but in Steve Jobs' case it led to some of the most beautifully crafted, well-designed, and perfectly functioning products ever created.

The Apple II, the ground-breaking home computer released in 1977, is a perfect example.

Credit: PA

According to Jobs' biographer, Walter Isaacson, the Apple founder chose from 2,000 shades of beige when looking for the exact colour he wanted for his new machine.

Further to that, he spent days agonizing on how curved the corners should be.

It may have upset a lot of people in his business, but in the three years between 1977 and 1980, the Apple II made $118bn in sales.

Jobs had the time to do this. He specialised in 'deep work'. Something many of us couldn't imagine.

John Freeman, an author, states that the average American is distracted 11 times an hour during his working day - mostly by email.

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'Deep work' focuses on switching off our emails, social media, and other distractions (yes, tell your colleagues to piss off for a couple of hours).

Apparently there are three approaches we can take to 'deep work':

• 1)MONASTIC - take yourself away from the world completely and focus on your endeavour. Find your own quiet place and stay there.
• 2)BI-MODIAL - divide your day in two - half with email and social media turned off, the other working as standard.
• 3)RHYTHMIC - For those who may struggle for such lengthy periods undistracted, try it in 90-minute chunks. Although it may not seem like much, it can surprise you how much work you can do.

Steve Jobs has proved an inspiration to many. Not only us layman of the world, but even to those who run major businesses.

Richard Branson even he uses the great Apple-meister for motivation.

Featured Image Credit: PA

Topics: Apple

Michael Minay

Mike Minay is a trending journalist at LADbible. He’s co-ordinated interviews with some of the big names from the world of news and sport including ITV’s Robert Peston, Sky Sports’ Jeff Stelling and darts champion Michael van Gerwen. His reporting days began on University radio in Birmingham, before moving to BBC Sport Online – creating content for large events such as Wimbledon and the FA Cup final. Mike still commentates on Football League matches at the weekend. A Manchester LAD at heart.

@MikeMinay