Observing someone else’s success, we often like to deceive ourselves that genius is an inborn quality. In reality, each of us understands well that success is primarily a sincere passion for what you do. As they say, when you’re in love, there are no obstacles for you.
Indeed, if you look at the life path of any of the outstanding figures of modern times, you can notice that the story of their success is not about exceptional intelligence and excellent grades in university. Some of them even dropped out of university altogether. AdmiGram.com will tell you what inspired the great minds to change our world.
Life lessons from Jobs, Einstein, and Franklin
Doing something well is not enough
© Marek Levák / Unsplash
Regarding how to approach your work, Steve Jobs told Stanford University students in 2005. He recalled how his father asked him to paint the fence around their house. When young Steve Jobs finished with the fence, his father said he didn’t do a good enough job. Steve asked his father why he thought so. His father replied that Steve only painted the outer part of the fence and didn’t even think about the inner part, which remained unpainted. This life lesson laid the foundations of business perfectionism for Steve Jobs.
If you want to change something in this world, you have to do it completely differently, something your competitors would never think of.
Understanding the problem lies beyond its surface
© Annie Spratt / Unsplash
Once, during a lecture on the ‘Special Theory of Relativity,’ a group of students asked Albert Einstein what he could recommend for a better understanding of the theory. Any specific literature, experiments, or works? Instead of naming some complex physics books, Einstein went to the kitchen and brought sweets for the students. He said that it’s beneficial for the brain to eat something sweet, and then, amidst laughter from the students, reiterated the theses of his theory. Many, after this trick, told the scientist that his theory wasn’t as complicated as they thought.
Sometimes, understanding the essence of a problem lies not where we are looking for the answer. Look at the solution to any question from a different, more rational angle.
Learn to listen to others and draw ideas
© HIVAN ARVIZU / Unsplash
Benjamin Franklin, one of the greatest individuals and most influential figures of the 18th century, is credited with the discovery of the so-called ‘brainstorming’ method for discussing a problem and finding an optimal solution. The most ingenious creations of our world were born precisely through this principle. For example, the legendary Sony, in creating the most successful Walkman player and Alpha camera, not only utilized the talent of its engineers but also listened to the opinions of those who were going to use these devices.
Learn to listen to others’ ideas. In successful business, there is no place for authoritarianism. Dozens of successful companies have failed simply because they didn’t want to hear from their consumers.
You can always do something better
© Cartoons Plural / Unsplash
Another lesson from Steve Jobs is that essentially, there are no limits to any solution or idea. When Apple engineers were developing the first iPod, it was a revolution in the world of digital gadgets. Engineers squeezed out the maximum and even more. When the device’s prototype was almost approved, Steve Jobs insisted that the device was not as compact as it could be. To prove his point, he threw the prototype into an aquarium. The iPod sank, leaving a trail of bubbles, demonstrating to the engineers the excess space in the design.
Even the most perfect thing can be made better. You can’t afford to think that you’ve done everything possible – competitors are not sleeping.
Don’t let principles and canons limit yourself
© Maks Key / Unsplash
Albert Einstein was a staunch opponent of traditions and formalities that hindered the development of the academic environment in modern society. He understood that modern students are more free and independent. All these relics of the past only limited the realization of their potential. Once at a scientific conference, Einstein was criticized for not wearing a tie like other scientists, setting a bad example for students. To this, Einstein replied, ‘A tie won’t make any of them smarter. For example, when I think, a tie hinders me.’
In the modern world, there is no place for conservatism. Anything that restricts you is just shackles that will never allow you to become the best version of yourself.
image on top: Gulom Nazarov / Unsplash
