Tag Archives: Albert Einstein

“It’s not that I’m so smart; it’s just that… ”

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“It’s not that I’m so smart; it’s just that I stay with problems longer.”

-Albert Einstein

Illustration from Flickr by donkeyhotey

Illustration from Flickr by donkeyhotey

Albert Einstein has a fan club. He was launched into international super stardom when Arthur Eddington’s work confirmed his General Theory of Relativity, which eventually brought him the Nobel Prize in Physics.

Einstein’s name has become synonymous with genius, and in 1999 Time Magazine recognized him the “Person of the Century.”

Applications of his theories are seen in daily use in such devices as the television, remote control devices, automatic door openers, laser technology, and DVD players.

Einstein attributed much of his success to good old hard work and sticking with problems far longer than most people.

EXERCISE:

Where would sticking with a current problem or challenge longer than you normally would help you discover and realize your own genius?

“If you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing it’s stupid.”

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“If you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing it’s stupid.”

– Albert Einstein, theoretical physicist

470Image from Flickr by phalinn.

A major paradox in goal achievement is the premise and practice of working to improve our weaknesses. We often spend too much time focusing on weaknesses at the expense of strengths. Who hasn’t, as a child, had a parent review their report card and make strong suggestions to improve the Ds and Cs toward As and Bs?

Unfortunately, this produces a double-whammy for the student. They usually lack the desire to work on these areas, and this parental feedback fosters their belief in their inadequacy and even stupidity regarding the subject.

Instead of working on our weaknesses, we will achieve much more by playing to our strengths and fanning the flames of a fire that’s already burning.

Exercise:

If fish gotta swim and birds gotta fly, what areas of natural talent and ability can you develop in yourself to realize your own genius?

“How do I work? I grope.”

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“How do I work? I grope.”

– Albert Einstein, theoretical physicist

How about that? A man many consider synonymous with the term “genius” admits to pursuing his work in a non-linear and haphazard way.

Perhaps this groping was part of his genius. Maybe square pegs and round holes can fit in some way if we simply grope around to take more frequent quantum leaps in how we solve problems.

Exercise:

Select an issue or challenge you are currently facing and set up a “groping” session instead of a general brainstorming session.

Play with possibilities as if you were from another world where playfulness, novelty, and experimentation were the only objectives.

“All meaningful and lasting change starts first in your imagination, then works its way out.”

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“All meaningful and lasting change starts first in your imagination, then works its way out.”

– Albert Einstein, theoretical physicist

Loyal readers of The Quotable Coach know one of my favorite quotes is “When patterns are broken, new worlds will emerge,” by Tuli Kupferberg. Here, Einstein is pointing to our imagination muscle as a means of creating these new worlds. In fact, the definition of imagination is the faculty or action of forming new ideas, images or concepts not currently present.

Exercise:

Select a five-minute break in your day for an “imagination vacation” to tap into your creativity and expand your resourcefulness.

“All meaningful and lasting change starts first in your imagination, then works its way out.”

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“All meaningful and lasting change starts first in your imagination, then works its way out.”

– Albert Einstein, theoretical physicist

Loyal readers of The Quotable Coach know one of my favorite quotes is “When patterns are broken, new worlds will emerge,” by Tuli Kupferberg. Here, Einstein is pointing to our imagination muscle as a means of creating these new worlds. In fact, the definition of imagination is the faculty or action of forming new ideas, images or concepts not currently present.

Exercise:

Select a five-minute break in your day for an “imagination vacation” to tap into your creativity and expand your resourcefulness.

#83: “The most important human endeavor is the striving for morality in our actions…”

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“…Our inner balance, and even our very existence, depends on it. Only morality in our actions can give beauty and dignity to our lives.”

– Albert Einstein, theoretical physicist

Watching the Olympic Games over the past couple of weeks has been a highlight of my summer. Beyond the gold medals and extraordinary human achievement, we all got to see some special human moments of great beauty and dignity.

Did you see them too?

  • Athletes showing tears of joy in respect and honor of their country’s national anthem
  • Athletes thanking a higher power for their gifts and achievements
  • Athletes honoring their team-mates and competitors
  • The world coming together in peace to celebrate the human spirit

Exercise:

How can you bring your highest moral values and actions to each day and to those people around you, to experience greater beauty, balance and dignity in your life?

Quotes are posted on The Quotable Coach a week after being sent out by email. To get the latest quotes straight to your inbox, pop your details in the sidebar to the right.

#66: “To raise new questions, new possibilities…”

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“…to regard old problems from a new angle, requires creative imagination and marks real advance in science.”

– Albert Einstein

When I was in school, success was all about getting the correct answer. In recent years, I have become fascinated by powerful questions and the fact that there are often many possible answers.

I am becoming far more comfortable with ambiguity and shades of grey. I think Einstein, through his study of quantum physics and his quotes pertaining to the mysteries life demonstrates, has led many (including myself) in this direction.

Exercise:

How can you use powerful questions to do some heavy lifting and find the added strength and capacity to advance your life?

Quotes are posted on The Quotable Coach a week after being sent out by email. To get the latest quotes straight to your inbox, pop your details in the sidebar to the right.