"Ayez le courage de suivre votre cœur et votre intuition. Ils savent d'une manière ou d'une autre ce que vous voulez vraiment devenir. Tout le reste est secondaire."

At its core, the quote is about trusting yourself—your inner feelings and instincts. It suggests that if you listen to your heart and intuition, they’ll guide you toward what you genuinely want in life. Everything else—social expectations, other people’s opinions, even your own fears—shouldn’t get in the way of that.

Steve Jobs, the co-founder of Apple, said this during a commencement address at Stanford University in 2005. He was sharing his own life lessons with the graduates. Jobs wasn’t just talking theory; he lived this advice. After all, he dropped out of college because he didn’t see the point in it for himself. Instead, he spent his time on things that intrigued him, like a calligraphy class that later influenced the design of Macintosh computers. His story is a testament to the power of following one’s passions and instincts.

Let’s bring this idea to life with a story. Imagine a young woman named Sarah who’s always dreamt of being a painter. She loves the way colors blend on a canvas and how a simple brushstroke can convey profound emotion. Everyone around her—friends, family, advisors—tells her she should pursue a “practical” career in finance or engineering. She listens to them and goes to business school. She gets a good job, a steady paycheck, but she feels empty.

One day, Sarah stumbles upon an old set of paints in a corner of her apartment. On a whim, she starts painting again. She feels alive in a way she hasn’t in years. She decides to take a leap of faith and starts sharing her artwork online. People respond positively. She ends up selling a few pieces and even holds a small exhibition. It’s not the safe path, but it’s the one that makes her heart sing.

How can you apply this wisdom in your own life? Start by tuning in to your gut feelings. What do you love doing so much that you lose track of time? What makes you feel truly alive? It might be something you’ve pushed aside because it seemed impractical. But think about it—life’s too short to ignore what you’re passionate about. Take small steps if you’re scared. You don’t have to quit your job tomorrow, but maybe you can start a side project or take a class on something that interests you.

Picture this: You’ve always loved writing, but you’re stuck in a 9-to-5 job that drains you. What if you dedicated just an hour each evening to your passion? You start a blog, sharing your thoughts and stories. Slowly, people begin to notice. You build a following. Maybe, eventually, you find a way to make writing a bigger part of your life—perhaps even your career. It won’t happen overnight, but by listening to your heart and taking those first steps, you open the door to possibilities you’d never have imagined.

So, the next time you feel that tug in your chest or that gut feeling nudging you in a certain direction, pay attention. It’s easy to get caught up in what others think you should do. But deep down, you already know what you’re meant to be. Trust yourself. Follow your heart and intuition. Everything else, as Jobs said, is secondary.