The one lesson from Steve Jobs that changed everything for me
Steve Jobs has inspired many startup enthusiasts across the world. I am one of them and I want to share the lessons I have learnt from him
So I was thinking about this yesterday...
Everyone talks about Steve Jobs like he was some kind of genius who just "got it." But what if I told you his biggest secret wasn't about innovation or design?
What if it was something way simpler - and way more brutal?
The signal vs noise revelation
Through my research into successful leaders, I discovered something that completely changed how I approach my day.
Jobs had this concept he lived by: signal-to-noise ratio.
Here's how it worked:
Signal = the top 3-5 things you absolutely must get done in the next 18 hours. Not next week, not next month. Today.
Noise = literally everything else that tries to distract you from those things.
Jobs operated at an 80/20 ratio - 80% signal, 20% noise.
Most of us? We're running at 50/50 at best. And that's why we're stuck.
The uncomfortable truth about focus
I know what you're thinking - "But Rayn, what about work-life balance?"
Here's the thing Jobs understood that most people don't: there is no balance when you're building something extraordinary.
Noise includes:
Checking your phone every 5 minutes
That "quick" coffee chat that turns into an hour
Scrolling through social media "for research"
Even saying hi to friends sometimes
Sounds harsh? It is.
But look at what Jobs achieved. Look at what Elon Musk achieves running multiple companies simultaneously.
"Focus on the signal. Everything else is just noise trying to steal your future."
The people who change the world understand this at a cellular level.
How I apply this today
Every morning, I write down 3-5 things on a sticky note and put it on my mirror. These are my non-negotiables for the day.
Everything else - every email, every "urgent" request, every social media notification - I ask myself one question:
"Is this signal or is this noise?"
If it doesn't directly contribute to my 3-5 critical things, it waits.
This reminds me of conversations I have during my 1:1 coaching sessions. People often tell me they feel overwhelmed, like they're drowning in tasks. But when we break it down, 80% of what they're doing is just noise masquerading as productivity.
If you're struggling to identify your true priorities and eliminate distractions, I offer personalised guidance: https://topmate.io/chalkmeout
My top content from last week
LinkedIn: "You're studying Physics, do you really think this is a fit for you?" - My story about proving yourself regardless of your background and why the best hires aren't always the ones with the shiniest resumes.
The genius wasn't being nice
Jobs wasn't known for being friendly. He was direct, sometimes brutal, always focused.
People always ask if you need to be difficult to be successful. The answer isn't about being mean - it's about being uncompromising with your signal.
When someone tried to pull Jobs into noise, he'd say: "That's not what we're doing today."
When market research teams wanted to survey customers, he'd say: "They don't know what they want until I tell them."
Was he right? Apple became one of the most valuable companies in history.
The lesson isn't to be rude. The lesson is to protect your signal like your life depends on it.
Because honestly? Your future does depend on it.
You can always write to me by simply replying to this newsletter. I read every single email, even if I can't reply to them all. Your signal is calling - but only you can choose to answer it over the noise.
Staying focused,
Rayn