I saw Steve personally this afternoon (Monday, January 31st, 2011) as he was leaving Apple’s headquarters in Cupertino, California. Needless to say, it was an unexpected delight to see the man in real life. There is great hidden power in listening to your intuition; in my case, it led me today to a face-to-face encounter with Steve Jobs. Let me explain.
Recovering this past weekend in San Francisco from an intense week of leading some Hoshin strategic planning sessions for a Fortune 100 client, Diana and I were leaning towards postponing our first Apple headquarters visit to our next trip. Yet this morning as I was doing some research on a book I’m writing about the Beatles and business, I came across a wonderful video about Steve and his love of the Beatles. My intuition awakened and I felt it begin pulling my inner compass to go visit Apple this day, vs. the uncharted future… So, with just 5 hours to go before our flight departed, we made the gut decision to rent a car downtown and go and “Carpe Apple,” enroute to the airport.
On the way, Diana wryly noted on Facebook on her iPhone that maybe she’d see Steve there and tell him with a smile how much she enjoys her Macbook, iPhone and future iPad… I was coming to drop off a get-well gift and token of my esteem for Steve—a signed copy of the book I wrote with my co-author Robert Friedman, M.D., on the Golden Ratio (The Divine Code of Da Vinci, Fibonacci, Einstein & You), which features him, fellow Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak and master designer Jonathan Ive, and also to visit the Apple Company Store onsite for some cool logo merchandise.
As if on some surreal cue, as soon as Diana and I walked in the front door of 1 Infinite Loop, we saw Steve, less than 10 feet away, walking towards us on the cellphone, enroute to a waiting car outside. We both did a double-take, and then realized it was really him… Whoa… talk about synchronicity! Who in their wildest dreams would expect Steve to be walking right out through the front door of the building at the precise moment we would be walking in? The one thing that really stood out to both of us (besides his trademark Levi’s, black mock turtleneck and sneakers) was the twinkle in Steve’s eyes and his full, genuine smile as he spoke on the phone. In spite of the media’s negative focus on his known health issues, one can only stand back and marvel at his tenacious spirit and absolute passion for his passion. It was most inspiring to see you today in person, Steve. All our best to you and your family and Sanatate (Great Health to You, in Romanian)…
Note to self: good things happen when you pay attention, listen to your intuition and Carpe Apple : )
To Infinity and Beyond,
Matthew Cross
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How come you didn’t talk to him and tell him how much you love his company’s products, as you were planning?
Hi, Congratulations on an excellent game! Perhaps you understood what he said on the phone? How tal He iS?
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What about his weight? Did he look thinner than before?
Cubert,
Steve looked the same as he did on his last stage appearance. The key point that impressed us was the spring in his step, the strength of his voice and the smile on his face…
Cheers,
Matthew
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I didn’t know you were from Romania, either. Anyway, it was a funny zinger to read Sanatate in English before realizing it’s Romanian
)
Congrats on seing Steve, I hope he gets better soon. Apple wouldn’t be the same without him.
Alex, my fiancee in Romanian. I’ve visited the country several times and I’ve started to learn the language. Thanks for your post. Sanatate!
Why didn’t you take a picture?
That would have been a picture you would remember for a long time
Luke,
1 key reason: out of sincere respect for Steve.
Thanks a lot for this update. Feels good to know he’s looking good. It’s also rare to see one who believes in listening to one’s intuitive perception as a yardstick to good things to come. Following you on twitter!
Get Well Steve, from me all the way in Africa! Miss you man and can’t wait for you to get back.
Hello from America!:)
Thanks for your post and insights. Looking back, the day still seems surreal the way it all fell into place so effortlessly.
Nu stiam ca esti Roman.Oricum stirea ta despre Steve a facut o multime de lume fericita!Thanks a lot!!
Tudor I’m not Romanian. My fiancee Diana Doroftei is Romanian. Thanks for your post! Sanatate!
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What? No pic by anyone? You managed pic of yourself but not Steve? Sounds bogus to me. I hope I am wrong.
Bob,
The reason I didn’t whip out my camera is out of sincere respect for Steve. I am not a media hound, I am someone who “just happened” to be in the right place at the right time.
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Great “get” with the Steve Jobs sighting; what a wonderful bit of serendipity for you guys! You must be living right, sir. (“The karma is strong with this one.”)
Just found your blog via an LATimes.com article that mentioned your encounter with the golden ratio child. Wonderful to see you chasing your dreams!
JG,
From one dream chaser to another, I’ve heard it said that meaningful coincidences are simply God’s way of remaining anonymous.
So nice meeting you through your blog and thanks for visiting.
Cheers,
Matthew
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God bless Steve Jobs!
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WE LOVE STEVE!
even if he goes bionic
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That is a great story and beautiful actions. Thanks for sharing.