Einstein: Discovering the Impossible

Einstein: Discovering the Impossible

Albert Einstein admired Charlie Chaplin, a famous English comic actor in the era of silent film.

When they met in 1931, Einstein commented, “You don’t say a word, yet the world understands you!”

Chaplin’s witty reply came back quickly, “It is true. But your fame is even greater: the world admires you, even when nobody understands what you say.”

Not many of us, if we are honest, can explain the theory of relativity nor the E=mc2 formula he became so famous for. However, his diligence and determination to attain the “impossibles” in life are what has attracted the likes of the founding CEO of Zhono—Jack Wang (pictured at the top in front of his Einstein wall).

Life wasn’t always easy for Einstein. He was born in Ulm, Germany on March 14, 1879, with a fat, mis-shaped head and his mother and grandmother feared he was deformed. Young Albert struggled to speak fluently until the age of four.

At the age of five, however, his young mind was fascinated by the way the magnets moved inside a pocket compass given to him by his father. He wondered what made the needlepoint in a certain direction and not anywhere else.

At the age of 16, he wrote his first scholarly paper inspired by his compass, which discussed the force of magnetism.

Some interesting facts about his incredible life, include:

• The parietal lobe of his brain was 15% larger than that of an average brain;
• His favorite scientist was Galileo Galilei;
• His teachers did not consider him a good student and refused to recommend him for further employment;
• He was extremely forgetful and would often leave his suitcase behind and could not keep track of his keys;
• He never learned to swim, but loved sailing throughout his life;
• He never wore socks;
• His famous formula E=mc2 made the 26-year-old, a star;
• He had to wait until 1921 to win The Nobel Prize in Physics—when he was 42.

Eight secrets that inspired Zhono’s Jack Wang, have also made Einstein a role model for many wanting to achieve success in business—and not for scientists alone. They apply to all those who want their life to mean something, to be successful and become part of the 1% elite:

1. Simplicity: When a ‘master’ wants to share something complex, that person will do it in a way that a six-year-old can understand. Simplicity is a key to success;
2. Curiosity: Einstein inspired us to ask questions and look for reasons. A childlike curiosity opens the doors of imagination which leads to discoveries;
3. Perseverance: Einstein said, “It’s not that I am so smart, it’s just that I stay with the problems longer.” You must not succumb so easily to failure during the toughest of times and dilemmas. Success will not elude you for long he would say;
4. Focus: Einstein once mused, “If you are kissing while driving a car, you are not paying the right amount attention to the kiss.” You cannot multitask and be the best at all you do. Focus on what will bring you most success;
5. Mistakes: Making a mistake is not wrong, not learning from it is. Einstein never hesitated to take risks out of a fear of making a mistake;
6. Never be Repetitive: You cannot expect different results when you do the same things over and over again and you have to explore new ideas and strategies;
7. Be Unconventional: Thinking rationally is good, but sometimes you must break out and be unconventional like Einstein whose thinking was not like others. Be brave and use your actions to make yourself distinct and stand out;
8. Imagination: If you are eyeing a better world for tomorrow, your imagination is the door to discoveries and ideas, but you must exercise it to turn it into reality.

Imagination. The eighth point on the list. Einstein thought it was the most important ingredient. “Imagination is more important than knowledge,” he said. “Knowledge is limited. Imagination encircles the world.”

It seems he was a poet as well! ■