Steve Wozniak emphasizes that true happiness is not measured by wealth or professional achievements, but by the joy and connections we create in life. Speaking to graduates at the University of Colorado Boulder, Wozniak shared that, at the end of his life, he won’t focus on Apple’s success but on the laughter and memorable moments spent with loved ones. He contrasted this perspective with that of Sumner Redstone, a former CEO who spent his life chasing wealth and power. Wozniak realized that a life driven by such pursuits wasn’t for him.
Wozniak also offered a simple formula for happiness: “H equals S minus F,” meaning happiness comes from maximizing smiles and minimizing frowns. He credits his own happiness to family, music, and comedy, recalling how his love for pranks once led to his expulsion from the very university where he was now speaking.
He advises others to find joy in everyday moments and not fall into the trap of thinking happiness is a destination, a concept known as the “arrival fallacy.” Instead, Wozniak encourages focusing on what genuinely brings joy and being intentional about cultivating it, even during difficult times.