Let’s talk about Steve Wozniak and his unique perspective on life. The co-founder of Apple is known for his distinctive way of thinking, especially since he created the Apple I not out of a desire to turn a profit, but simply to build something truly cool!
Recently, during an interview with CBS News, things got a bit spicy online. People on the internet couldn’t resist chiming in with their two cents. One comment criticized Wozniak for selling all his stock in Apple by the mid-1980s, implying he missed out on a huge financial boom. But Wozniak shot back, saying, Wealth and power are not what I live for.
Honestly, I’m the happiest person ever, he added. Life has never been about achievements but about happiness – and for me, that’s just smiles minus frowns. I figured this out when I was in my late teens, and I’ve stayed true to that way of thinking.
This shows Wozniak has no regrets about giving away what would be a massive fortune today. Instead of focusing on riches, he values joy and personal happiness above all.
His mindset reveals a lot about the innovator behind the Apple I and Apple II, who knowingly stepped away from typical measures of success in tech. Wozniak has a knack for teaching us a vital lesson about what’s truly important in life.
Woz’s decision to share his wealth reshapes the idea of success from simply while accumulating wealth to finding a state of happiness. He sees his legacy as what he leaves to his community rather than through public accolades.
Take a look at his history: he built computers because they sparked joy and creativity. The Apple II was significant because it made computer usage enjoyable and accessible. Woz described it as the device that really made personal computers popular because it was such a blast to use. For him, fun isn’t just a flashy marketing term. It’s a crucial element of any good design. If a product boosts smiles more than it brings frowns, it’s a win in his book.
Wozniak’s humility shines here. He sold most of his Apple shares long ago and doesn’t claim to be the master of Apple’s future. He feels proud when Apple thrives but is transparent when things don’t go well. He voices his dissent when he has it, firm in the belief, Nobody buys my opinion. That statement is significant because it turns down the unspoken contract that many tech founders sign – choosing silence over honest feedback in exchange for influence.
Wozniak has a deeper philosophy too. Rather than just focusing on scale and engagement, he wonders: Does this product improve people’s lives? Did it create more smiles than frowns? If the answer is no, then you’re merely chasing growth without any real human connection.
It’s easy to poke fun at Woz’s thoughts on money – they can seem outdated. But really, they serve as a handy guide: Create remarkable things. Ensure they’re enjoyable. Support programs that enlighten and motivate. Own what you create.
This guideline is straightforward. It pushes back against today’s fixation on accumulating wealth. More subtly, it challenges us to redefine success based on human experiences rather than cold numbers. That’s what makes Wozniak’s equation of Happiness equals Smiles minus Frowns truly resonate – it’s a piece of advice that’s as uplifting as it is insightful. And it’s certainly the most heartwarming thing I’ve heard in a while.
This piece was first published on inc.com.
Join the Inc. newsletter by clicking here: inc.com/newsletters”
