Hey everyone, and welcome to TopThink.
Today, we are going to learn how to think like Albert Einstein.
Now, let’s begin.
After multiple revolutionary discoveries about the physics of the universe, Albert Einstein
became one of the most famous geniuses to have ever lived.
Not only did his theories earn him a Nobel Prize and have a massive impact on the scientific
community, but his intellect also made him a social icon.
Even decades after Einstein passed away, his name is synonymous with genius-level intelligence.
You’ll still hear people sarcastically saying, “Thanks, Einstein,” as a comment on someone
on else’s brainpower So what made Einstein the prominent genius
we know today?
And how did Einstein’s brain differ from everyone else’s?
The simple truth is that Einstein, and geniuses like him, think differently than the rest
of the population.
It’s not just because they’re better at math or have great memories.
Geniuses seem to analyze the world in an extraordinary way.
They search for and discover innovative connections.
They continuously push the boundaries of what we see and what we believe.
Einstein’s famous equation E=〖MC〗^2 shows how he observed the unique relationships
that govern the world around him.
But these skills aren’t reserved exclusively for people with the high IQs.
Intelligence is flexible.
It’s something you can practice and grow.
With the right tools, you can mold your brain into a creative and intellectual powerhouse.
So, even if you didn’t get straight A’s in school, don’t tell yourself you’ll
never be smart.
Or that you have nothing to offer.
It may not come as naturally to you.
And you may not go down in history like Albert Einstein.
But, by changing the way you think, you can teach yourself how to approach the world like
a genius.
1.
Show Your Work How many times have you heard a math teacher
insist that you "show your work”?
You probably rolled your eyes and did the problem in your head anyway, but showing your
work is an essential part of thinking like a genius.
In school and in life, most people prioritize the wrong part of the problem.
See, our brains naturally gravitate towards answers and solutions.
We like things that are definite and conclusive.
We’re constantly looking for the fastest way to skip to the end.
But when you’re focused on the solution, you aren’t paying attention to the way you
get there.
Teachers tell you to show your work, because understanding is much more important than
getting the right answer.
You need to comprehend why something is the way it is.
Or why it isn’t the way it isn’t.
Sure, you might know the answer is 4, but how do you know?
What laws and ideas make that kind of answer possible?
And how do know those rules actually make sense?
When you ask these harder questions, you’ll notice yourself thinking deeper about what
kind of person you want to be.
It’s astounding how many things we take at face value.
Because, just like in science or math, life is overflowing with arbitrary decisions and
ill-defined rules.
The vast majority of people are just doing what they’re supposed to be doing without
taking the time to ask questions.
They don’t understand why they want what they want.
They don’t pay attention to the way they think… they’re just searching for a quick
and easy answer.
But you can do things differently.
By dissecting the choices you make and the answers you find, you’ll discover meaning,
wonder, and personal success.
That way, when someone asks you why your lifestyle and passions are important to you, you’ll
know the answer.
Because, unlike the rest of the world, you took the time to show your work.
2.
Innovative Combinations Have you ever heard the saying, “there’s
no such thing as an original idea?”
There is no real originality, because everything is essentially a combination of things that
already exist.
But that doesn’t mean a concept can’t be creative or exciting.
Because you can still use those pre-existing building blocks to craft something truly extraordinary.
Think about architecture.
Most buildings are made of the same materials like wood, stone, or metal.
But does that mean all buildings are exactly alike?
Of course not.
Architecture is about finding new ways to reorganize the same boring materials.
Or reinvent age-old structures like windows, doors, and roofs.
So, if you want to think like a genius, stop trying to do something that's never been done
before.
The fact is that genuine innovation isn’t about inventing something from the ground
up.
Instead, you should learn more about the styles, concepts, and ideas that already exist in
the world.
Then investigate the different ways that those concepts blend together.
Some combinations won’t work in the slightest.
Others will seem like a match made in heaven.
It’s your job to twist and tinker until you stumble upon something truly innovative.
3.
Thinking in Opposites Black and white.
Up and down.
Yes and no.
Life is full of binary opposites.
In the natural world, if one thing exists, you can be fairly certain there’s an equally
important thing at the other end of the spectrum.
So what does this have to do with thinking like a genius?
Many of the most influential thinkers use opposition to stimulate creativity.
In other words, they start with something normal, then flip that concept on its head.
Suddenly, you have an idea that feels completely new, even though all you did was turn it upside
down.
Take the idea of zombies, for example.
This has been one of the most widely used concepts in books, TV, and movies, but the
idea itself is really basic.
Dead people are usually dead, right?
But when you flip the script, you get this: what if dead people were actually alive?
And just like that, you’ve got a whole new set of questions to answer.
Opposites are also a great way to reflect on your own life.
You may plan on doing things one way.
But what if you did something completely different instead?
How would it affect your lifestyle and personality?
How would you adapt to this new situation?
Some people feel unhappy and imprisoned within their own life, because they never leave their
comfort zone.
They only do things that align with what they’re used to.
Opposites let you expand your horizons.
They open your life up to brand new people and experiences.
In adolescence and young adulthood, this kind of exploration is incredibly important.
Why?
Because it helps to experience lots of different things.
That way, you know which ones you can and can’t live without.
So, whether you want to boost your creativity or grow as an individual, opposites will transform
the way you think.
4.
Physical Thoughts There are countless ways to express yourself,
yet few people truly take advantage of them.
If you want to think like Einstein, you have to learn how bring your thoughts into the
physical world.
Drawings and diagrams are a great place to start.
These forms of physical expression force you to put your ideas down on paper.
That means you have to make a definitive statement.
You can’t keep speculating, which is all many people ever do.
More importantly, creating a diagram gives you perspective on your own ideas.
It lets you take a step back and analyze from the outside.
Normally, your thoughts are so wrapped up in your head that you can’t separate yourself
from your ideas.
Drawings and diagrams give you something stable to build on.
You can see where it’s right, where it’s wrong, and where you have room to improve.
5.
Metaphorical Understanding Something becomes metaphorical when it gains
symbolic value.
A metaphor is a figure of speech often used in literature to compare two different things.
For example, you might describe someone as a night owl.
You’re not saying they’re actually like an owl.
You’re just comparing their sleeping habits to an owl’s nocturnal schedule.
The majority of people dismiss metaphors as some random thing you learn in English class.
But understanding metaphors teaches you to think deeper about the world around you.
To look past literal definitions and discover hidden meaning.
Many of the most profound lessons you’ll ever learn are best expressed by metaphors.
It’s often how writers, artists, and other creative minds capture the complex nature
of love, selfhood, and life itself.
Einstein is famous for one particular metaphor, which inspired some of his most important
work.
When he was 16, he pictured himself as an electromagnetic field flying alongside a beam
of light.
He then tried to imagine what that light would look like from his perspective.
If they were moving at the exact same speed, wouldn’t it appear that the beam of light
wasn’t moving at all?
After wrestling with this question for a few years, Einstein actually used it to help explain
his theory of relativity.
Of course, metaphorical thinking doesn’t come naturally to everyone.
In fact, it’s somewhat rare.
You’d be surprised how much brainpower it takes to understand the multiple layers of
meaning in a single metaphor.
Luckily, it’s something you can gradually improve on.
The hardest part is recognizing when and where to look below the surface.
You can actually practice metaphorical thinking using small-scale thought experiments.
I know this sounds complicated, but it’s actually pretty easy.
Let’s say you’re having a problem with someone.
You could be arguing with one of your friends or having some trouble at work.
Whatever it is, try to imagine your problem as an animal.
What animal would it be and why?
If it’s loud and hostile, you could say it’s a lion or a bear.
If it’s passive-aggressive and tense, you might describe it as a snake.
Thought experiments like these let you separate the literal from the metaphorical.
As you hone your skills, you’ll begin noticing all kinds of meaning hidden in the world around
you.
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is on the way.