People love a good rebellion story. From Alexander Hamilton to Luke Skywalker, rebel heroes inspire us.
The idea that we can rise up, against all odds, has captured the imagination of generations.
But day-to-day social pressures are a powerful force. It’s extremely difficult to escape the status quo and go against the grain of our culture. Too often this results in a feeling of being stuck or trapped. Have you ever had this feeling?
Fear not! You can make your escape by learning from smart-guy poster child Albert Einstein.
That’s right, Einstein was a rebel. In fact, his disregard for established thinking was a huge contributor to his revolutionary scientific accomplishments.
“Other scientists had come close to his insight, but they were too confined by the dogmas of the day.” ~ Walter Isaacson, The World Needs More Rebels Like Einstein
So, consider the tips from Einstein below and spark your own rebellion!
1Try New Things
“Anyone who has never made a mistake has never tried anything new.” ~ Albert Einstein
Einstein made plenty of mistakes but his successes are what we remember. To make real progress, you have to step outside of your comfort zone. Try new things. Make mistakes. All in the name of progress.
2Question Authority
“Blind belief in authority is the greatest enemy of truth.” ~ Albert Einstein
Don’t take things at face-value. Develop your own understanding and be open to the fact that authority figures can be wrong too.
3Seek Truth, Not Popularity
“What is right is not always popular and what is popular is not always right.” ~ Albert Einstein
Sometimes, being right will make you unpopular. Be right anyway. Popularity is cheap and temporary. Strive for quality and truth despite the opinions of critics.
4Run Towards Problems
“In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity” ~ Albert Einstein
People who create the most valuable solutions are often those who chase the most difficult problems. Don’t be intimidated by big challenges because they represent the greatest potential.
5Be Persistent
“You never fail until you stop trying.” ~ Albert Einstein
Be patient. Keep going. Things of great value often take years to build. But in the end, it will be worth it.
6Recognize When You’re Wrong
“The measure of intelligence is the ability to change.” ~ Albert Einstein
When the facts change or you’re proven wrong, don’t be stubborn. Don’t let a mistake waste any more time, or create additional mistakes. Own your failure and move on.
7Be Optimistic
“I’d rather be an optimist and a fool than a pessimist and right.” ~ Albert Einstein
At the end of the day, we will experience successes and failures. But, the attitude we take will determine how we experience the world.
So strive, fail, succeed and smile at the possibilities of the future.
See Also: Amazing Life Lessons You Can Learn From Albert Einstein: Part Deux
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8Author: Jonathon Yarde
If you'd like to see more from Jonathon, check out his website and blog at Consultant Essentials. Jonathon is an entrepreneur, and freelance writer, specializing in topics related to consulting, time management, and organization. In addition, Jonathon is a frequent traveler, who loves backpacking, fly-fishing, and local music.
