Einstein’s Approach to Problem Solving

by Miche on September 9, 2009 · 10 comments

I am content in my later years. I have kept my good humor and take neither myself nor the next person seriously. -From Einstein's Collected Essays

“Imagination is more important than knowledge. Knowledge is limited; imagination encircles the world.” ~Albert Einstein

Have a problem you just can’t figure out? A challenge that’s proven too difficult to overcome? Why not try an Albert Einstein approach? Yes, Einstein took on the biggest challenges the world had to offer at the time and became a world renowned physicist. His accomplishments and achievements in the field of science are immeasurable.

Though our own problems may appear miniscule in comparison, Einstein’s attitude and approach to challenges is still quite relative relevant, even on the smallest of scales. Whether you’re dealing with simple mundane issues like getting more organized, or bigger life hurdles like beating long-standing bad habits, his wisdom about problem solving might just provide that “stroke of genius” you need to see things differently.

Simplicity:
Make everything as simple as possible, but not simpler.
Pare it down into small steps, or chunks that you can accomplish and be done with. Reduce the friction, but don’t take too many shortcuts as to avert really accomplishing your goal.

Patience:
The only reason for time is so that everything doesn’t happen at once.
Boy wouldn’t it be great if it did? But it doesn’t, and I suspect there is greater wisdom in this. Relish the journey, not just the destination.

Humility:
Once we accept our limits, we go beyond them.
Be reasonable about your limits. You must acknowledge them in order to be realistic, but also be forgiving. Factor them into your planning, and eventually you will exceed them.

Perspective:
We cannot solve our problems with the same thinking we used when we created them.
Sometimes you just can’t think your way out of something. Get the advice of a friend or 3rd party not directly involved in the issue. Think outside of the box and approach the challenge in a way you normally wouldn’t.

Creativity:
Logic will get you from A to B. Imagination will take you everywhere.
Use your imagination and stop being so serious. So often we don’t approach our problems with a child-like wonder. Try it. Make it a game if you have to, you just might get inspired.

Attitude:
In the middle of every difficulty lies opportunity.
See the difficulty as a means to create new opportunities and open new doors. Use this mindset so you see what you’re gaining instead of what you may be sacrificing or giving up.

Perseverance:
It’s not that I’m so smart, it’s just that I stay with problems longer.
Don’t quit. Stay the path and keep trying. Eventually you will succeed.

Humor:
I have kept my good humor and take neither myself nor the next person seriously.
No matter how many times you fail, no matter how imperfect you are, remember that you’re only human. Keep a sense of humor about it all. It will lighten the load. It even did for the greatest genius of who ever lived.