Bakken's first habit was deceptively simple but reflected a philosophy that had guided his entire career. When he started Medtronic in 1949, it was to repair medical electronic equipment — a modest beginning oriented toward helping people. In 1960, the company created a mission statement dedicating itself to 'alleviating pain, restoring health, and extending life,' which became Bakken's personal mission as well. The reward, Bakken told graduates, was something no paycheck could match. He described constantly meeting people who said 'Mr. Bakken, I am alive because of your work' or 'You gave my child a good life she could not have had without the device.' With millions of Medtronic devices implanted worldwide, these encounters were a regular occurrence — and each one was 'very moving, very satisfying.' The advice was practical rather than idealistic: you don't have to start a nonprofit or become a doctor to dedicate your life to a worthy cause. You simply need to choose an organization whose mission you believe in. If you join the right company, Bakken promised, you will receive a kind of gratitude that transforms your relationship with your work.