Steve Jobs releases open letter regarding his health: what it teaches us

As you might have heard, Apple published a letter by Steve Jobs this morning regarding his health.  I am not one to dissect others’ personal matters, especially ones related to health, and it is not what I am setting out to do here.  However, it is important to note that it is Apple’s responsibility (to its shareholders) in disclosing any information that would prevent Mr. Jobs from performing his duties as CEO of Apple.  And as we have already realized (some of us have done so many times over), this is a very sticky issue: where does Apple draw the line between meeting shareholder responsibility and Steve’s personal privacy?  In any case, there is one tid-bit that I think is interesting from the letter.  Hit the read-more link for the rest.The bit from the letter that I would like to shed some light on reads:

“For the first time in a decade, I’m getting to spend the holiday season with my family, rather than intensely preparing for a Macworld keynote.”

This is a very thoughtful decision on Steve’s part, one that I’m sure was a very conscious and considered one.  Moreover, it is a decision that we fully support here at TechNest Report.  To quote our own About page describing Nester, the TechNest Report mascot:

“Nester reminds us that besides obsessing about the tech industry and staring at screens all day long, there are so many other things in this world that we can and should do.  So we need to peel our eyes away from the monitor once in a while and appreciate those “other” things.  (let’s go take a break outside).”

Now about that break… Steve Jobs hasn’t taken one since 1998.  That’s right, he has keynoted MacWorld events every single year for the past ten years, most of those years having more than one major product announcement which required a presentation.  Having said that, it is understandable that after the tenth year, the amazing CEO would take a rest and decide to spend it with his family.  An intricate part of the recent MacWorld San Francisco (MWSF) conferences was the date: a few days or a couple of weeks after New Years’ day.  This would mean that preparation for the show the caliber of MWSF would take up much of the preceding weeks’ time – the time of the winter holidays.

I know that some “analysts” have released their own “takes” on the letter, some of them being negative.  Some of these reporters even go so far as to say that this letter is a temporary cover-up for the real issue of Steve Jobs’ health.  I find these reporters – to put it simply – living in a box, considering the aforementioned letter.

So if there is one thing that this letter from this amazing man, CEO, and entrepreneur is to teach us, it is to take some time off, relax, recuperate, and spend some quality time with the family.  After all, your family are the people (or person) that cares about you the most deep down.  So for those of you for whom the time off brought on by the holidays has not yet ended, do spend this time with your family; if the winter (or summer – if you’re across the globe) holidays have come to pass, put it on your calendar to spend more time with your close ones next year.  Learn to think different… from the company that does so on a daily basis.

PS: If you were wondering what Steve Jobs announced in those ten years of keynoting, The Standard has an excellent compilation, complete with video and memorable quotes.  At last, the letter has finally cleared up so much fear, uncertainty, and doubt around Mr. Jobs, we can all take a deep breath of relief.  Let’s all wish Steve a happy and healthy recovery.  Good luck, Steve.

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