Albert Einstein’s brand of living life was stunning. Lots to learn from. I am a big fan of Albert Einstein, and though I have degrees in engineering, the reason I am such a big fan is not why he was so famous. Lessons Albert Einstein taught me about life go way beyond his scientific achievements. Let’s start with why he is famous and then I’ll explain why I am such an admirer.
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Any fool can know. The point is to understand.
Here is a short review of why he was so famous. He was a German-born theoretical physicist who developed the general theory of relativity, effecting a revolution in physics. For this achievement, he is often regarded as the father of modern physics and the most influential physicist of the 20th century. While best known for his mass-energy formula E = mc2(often dubbed “the world’s most famous equation”), he received the 1921 Nobel Prize in Physics for his services to theoretical physics, and especially for his discovery of the law of the photoelectric effect. The latter was pivotal in establishing quantum theory within physics.
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Very impressive indeed, but NOT why I am such a big fan. To see his true wisdom and value, you must study the man. I group his thoughts on living into 12 engaging lessons.
Let’s go through them:
Laugh often
When you are courting a nice girl, an hour seems like a second. When you sit on a red-hot cinder, a second seems like an hour. That’s relativity.
Einstein had an excellent way to make people laugh. To him, it was a serious business, indeed. He made people think while making them smile with almost all of his work.
My lesson learned is not to take myself so seriously. And laugh often.
Keep pushing
You have to learn the rules of the game. And then you have to play better than anyone else.
Einstein was often frustrated with the state of his times and felt that the world would require a substantially new manner of thinking to survive. But that did not mean he was without hope. He knew that rules of the game as much as the next guy, and an important rule was always to keep pushing.
My lesson learned is to keep going despite indifference, and even when I feel discouraged with my work.
A simple life
If you can’t explain it simply, you don’t understand it well enough.
A focus on simplicity was one of Einstein’s central tenets, and though his skill in physics was renown, he believed everything that can be counted did not necessarily count and that everything that counts cannot necessarily be counted.
My lesson learned is to always think and live as simply as possible with balance in life.
Stand up for your beliefs
The world is a dangerous place to live; not because of the people who are evil, but because of the people who don’t do anything about it.
Albert felt that the world was dangerous not because of bad people but because of people who recognize the evil, yet do nothing about it. His characterization of the age was that world leadership had developed a perfection of means yet had a significant confusion of ends.
My lesson learned is to be passionate about helping others and sharing the light.
Never quit
Try not to become a man of success, but rather try to become a man of value.
Einstein believed in being a giver, as he felt only a life lived for others was a life worthwhile. His characterization of the age was that world leadership had developed a perfection of means yet had a significant confusion of ends. He felt that you never failed if you never quit.
My lesson learned is always to share more than you receive and never give up.
Tell your story
I must be willing to give up what I am to become what I will be.
Einstein’s view of a person’s life was that the real sign of intelligence was not knowledge but imagination and he believed that the only source of knowledge was experienced. He loved telling stories to influence.
My lesson learned is to practice curiosity and imagination as often as possible and learn continuously.
Humble personality
I have no special talents. I am only passionately curious.
While having a strong will, Einstein was very humble and attributed his talent to his passionate curiosity and imagination. He felt both were more important than knowledge.
My lesson learned is to always tamp down on my ego and be as humble as possible.
Sense of humor
We all know that light travels faster than sound. That’s why certain people appear bright until you hear them speak.
Einstein often stated that his secret to creativity was knowing how to hide his sources. He felt that the difference between stupidity and genius was that genius had its limits. Einstein liked to say that only two things were infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and he wasn’t sure about the former.
Live your passion
Logic will get you from A to Z; imagination will get you everywhere.
Einstein was a very observant person and noted that as he got more and more famous, the more and more stupid he also became. That, he said, was a very common phenomenon. But he loved to share his passions.
My lesson learned is to wear your enthusiasm and passion everywhere.
Go all in
There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle.
Einstein didn’t think he was that smart; it’s just that he had the skill of persistence to stay with problems longer. He always went all in on everything he did.
He maintained a strong belief in the necessity of eliminating biases to be able to look for what is and not for what they should be. Always stated that problems required a new level of consciousness beyond the one that created the problem … he was a big proponent of change.
My lesson learned is to continually look for ways to adapt to the changes going on and always go all in without fear of failure.
Lessons Albert Einstein taught … never stop questioning
The important thing is not to stop questioning. Curiosity has its reason for existing.
His thought was felt that imagination was more valuable than logic, logic could get you from A to B, but imagination could take you everywhere. He was an early believer in trying many new things and not fearing mistakes and felt that someone who never made a mistake never tried new things. His view was any wise fool could make things bigger and more complex, but the genius and courage were in heading in the opposite direction.
My lesson learned is to try as many new things as possible in all facets of life.
Keen problem-solving skills
A clever person solves a problem.
A wise person avoids it. Einstein believed that if he were given 20 hours to solve a problem, he would spend 18 hours on understanding the problem and 2 hours on the solution.
My lesson learned is to focus on problem understanding well before trying to solve it.That is one of my favorite lessons from this thinker.
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More reading on learning from Digital Spark Marketing’s Library:
9 Things to Know About Creative Visual Design Content
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Know These Great Secrets of Collaboration and Co-Creation
How Good Is Your Learning from Failure?
Mike Schoultz is a digital marketing and customer service expert. With 48 years of business experience, he consults on and writes about topics to help improve the performance of small business. Find him on G+, Facebook, Twitter, Digital Spark Marketing, and LinkedIn.