How would Einstein do research in 2024? Albert Einstein’s approach to ideation was unique and contributed significantly to his groundbreaking work. Let’s explore how he thought and what we can learn from his creative process. Combinatory Play: Einstein referred to his creative process as “combinatory play.” Instead of rigidly adhering to conventional thinking, he intentionally engaged in unrelated activities. This allowed his mind to wander freely and make unexpected connections. His famous quote, “I never came upon any of my discoveries through the process of rational thinking,” underscores the importance of divergent thinking and exploration. Avoid Overworking: Einstein believed that creativity was orthogonal to exhaustive work. In other words, pushing yourself too hard doesn’t necessarily lead to innovative ideas. To foster creativity, avoid overworking on a daily basis. Give your mind space to breathe and explore beyond the obvious. Zoom Out for Big Ideas: Instead of digging too deep into a specific problem, Einstein advised zooming out to see the big picture. Sometimes, stepping back allows you to identify novel solutions. Rest and reflection are essential for generating impactful ideas. Diverse Workspaces: Einstein emphasized the importance of diverse workspaces. For him, Stanford’s flourishing alleys provided inspiration during walks, rather than being confined to an office. Consider different environments—whether it’s a kitchen, gym, or outdoor space—to defocus from routine tasks and stimulate creativity. Enjoy Life While Creating: Defocusing doesn’t mean your brain stops thinking. You can enjoy life while your mind continues to make an impact. So, embrace “combinatory play,” take breaks, and explore various settings. Your best ideas might emerge when you least expect them. Remember, creativity thrives when we allow our minds to wander and connect seemingly unrelated dots. ?????. #research #science #phd #creativity
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Professor @ NC State University | Researcher | Academic | Entrepreneur | Autonomous Experimentation
Great post by Andrew Akbashev about Einstein and how he visualized his discoveries rather than used traditional rational thinking we teach in STEM. If you’re a visual thinker and have not been filtered out (sadly) by STEM education toward more creative careers then you have the gift of visualizing scientific concepts. This means you can also creatively visualize NEW concepts. Einstein visualized space-time and then he had used his rational brain to build the mathematical construct that still stands today. As a visual thinker myself, I experience moments like this and harness it in my work to develop new concepts that I then try to translate and bring to fruition. Allow me to explain how it works: (1) I visualize an end result, capability or outcome that does not yet exist and work out its moving parts visually, almost like sci-fi. (2) I use prior experience and knowledge of the field to assess importance, impact and whether it is likely to work and find an audience (3) then it is time to translate to the real world using domain language and scientific method; where needed my team and I create new methods and make enabling innovations using linear rationalizations. (4) It can be challenging to explain or justify your ideas to colleagues and students, let alone to funding agencies ??, therefore you need a POC mechanism and you need to translate and verbalize so that others may understand. This two-pronged approach allows me to balance between being creative and innovative while being a successful in STEM.
What Einstein’s way of ideation? His work was worth 4 Nobel Prizes. Albert Einstein called this process “combinatory play”: He did not try to ‘outperform’ other researchers. He did not chase the quantity of papers. He did not force himself to 'work hard everyday'. Instead, he intentionally did unrelated things in a relaxed manner. This allowed his mind to wander in a different direction. His famous quote is: “I never came upon any of my discoveries through the process of rational thinking.” Of course, there is a lot of hard work once the idea is identified. But it’s the idea that makes the impact. Steve Jobs also highlighted the same phenomenon: “When you ask creative people how they did something, they feel a little guilty because they didn’t really do it, they just saw something. It seemed obvious to them after a while.” This is why: 1. You should not be overworking on a daily basis. Creativity is orthogonal to exhaustive work. They belong to different worlds. 2. To come up with a big idea, avoid digging the field too much. Get enough rest. Zoom out to see the big picture. 3. A diverse workspace that helps you defocus yourself from office work is the KEY to fostering creativity (e.g. kitchen, gym, entertainment, terrain, etc). It’s why I loved Stanford as a postdoc. Taking a walk outside, along the flourishing alleys, was giving so much room to my mind. So many ideas were nucleating during a walk (and not in the office!). My point is: Defocusing from your tasks does NOT mean your brain stops thinking. You can enjoy life while your brain is making an impact on the world. #research #PhD #creativity
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Consulting-Research | Biology Based and Carbon Capture Materials Advanced Processing | Les Mills instructor
100 % . Creativity is more proportional to passion/ enjoyment than hard work.
What Einstein’s way of ideation? His work was worth 4 Nobel Prizes. Albert Einstein called this process “combinatory play”: He did not try to ‘outperform’ other researchers. He did not chase the quantity of papers. He did not force himself to 'work hard everyday'. Instead, he intentionally did unrelated things in a relaxed manner. This allowed his mind to wander in a different direction. His famous quote is: “I never came upon any of my discoveries through the process of rational thinking.” Of course, there is a lot of hard work once the idea is identified. But it’s the idea that makes the impact. Steve Jobs also highlighted the same phenomenon: “When you ask creative people how they did something, they feel a little guilty because they didn’t really do it, they just saw something. It seemed obvious to them after a while.” This is why: 1. You should not be overworking on a daily basis. Creativity is orthogonal to exhaustive work. They belong to different worlds. 2. To come up with a big idea, avoid digging the field too much. Get enough rest. Zoom out to see the big picture. 3. A diverse workspace that helps you defocus yourself from office work is the KEY to fostering creativity (e.g. kitchen, gym, entertainment, terrain, etc). It’s why I loved Stanford as a postdoc. Taking a walk outside, along the flourishing alleys, was giving so much room to my mind. So many ideas were nucleating during a walk (and not in the office!). My point is: Defocusing from your tasks does NOT mean your brain stops thinking. You can enjoy life while your brain is making an impact on the world. #research #PhD #creativity
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An Outsider Brain for Your Business. Your Trusted and Kind Innovator. Strategy | Foresight | Sustainability | Design | Materials | Innovation | Contributor @The Carbon Almanac
Great post about the strong obstacle rational thinking could represent to new discoveries. “I never came upon any of my discoveries through the process of rational thinking.” Albert Einstein “When you ask creative people how they did something, they feel a little guilty because they didn’t really do it, they just saw something. It seemed obvious to them after a while.” Steve Jobs I like to add and share also the point of view by a woman; a relevant woman in the field of creativity. Margaret Boden in her book ‘The Creative Mind, myths and mechanisms’ writes: “What Kuhn called ‘revolutionary’ science is more daring. It draws new charts of such a different kind that the traveller may seem to have lost all bearings. On the rare occasions when the conceptual change is so radical that it challenges the interpretation of all previous experiments, scientists can differ as bitterly as any art-lovers. They have to judge alternative explan- ations not by a single test but by many different, and partially conflicting, criteria – some of which are not even consciously recognized. Rational argument alone may not solve the dispute, which is partly about what should count as scientific rationality. Kuhn even remarks that ‘revo- lutionary science’ succeeds because the (still unpersuaded) old scientists die.” Rational argument alone may not solve the dispute … #creativity #kindinnovation
What Einstein’s way of ideation? His work was worth 4 Nobel Prizes. Albert Einstein called this process “combinatory play”: He did not try to ‘outperform’ other researchers. He did not chase the quantity of papers. He did not force himself to 'work hard everyday'. Instead, he intentionally did unrelated things in a relaxed manner. This allowed his mind to wander in a different direction. His famous quote is: “I never came upon any of my discoveries through the process of rational thinking.” Of course, there is a lot of hard work once the idea is identified. But it’s the idea that makes the impact. Steve Jobs also highlighted the same phenomenon: “When you ask creative people how they did something, they feel a little guilty because they didn’t really do it, they just saw something. It seemed obvious to them after a while.” This is why: 1. You should not be overworking on a daily basis. Creativity is orthogonal to exhaustive work. They belong to different worlds. 2. To come up with a big idea, avoid digging the field too much. Get enough rest. Zoom out to see the big picture. 3. A diverse workspace that helps you defocus yourself from office work is the KEY to fostering creativity (e.g. kitchen, gym, entertainment, terrain, etc). It’s why I loved Stanford as a postdoc. Taking a walk outside, along the flourishing alleys, was giving so much room to my mind. So many ideas were nucleating during a walk (and not in the office!). My point is: Defocusing from your tasks does NOT mean your brain stops thinking. You can enjoy life while your brain is making an impact on the world. #research #PhD #creativity
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"Creativity is intelligence having fun." - Albert Einstein ?? Diving into the psychology of creativity is like unraveling the mysteries of the mind's most captivating dance. From the eureka moments to the depths of creative blocks, understanding this process offers profound insights into human cognition. Did you know that the brain's default mode network (DMN) plays a pivotal role in fostering creativity? This network, typically active during daydreaming and introspection, allows seemingly disparate ideas to intertwine, giving rise to novel concepts. Delve deeper into this fascinating realm with resources like "Imagine: How Creativity Works" by Jonah Lehrer, exploring the science behind innovation, or "Flow: The Psychology of Optimal Experience" by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, revealing the state of effortless concentration where creativity flourishes. Unlock the secrets of the mind and unleash your creative potential. Let's embark on this captivating journey together! ?? #PsychologyOfCreativity #Innovation #MindfulCreativity
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What Brews Creativity? A question that intrigues me endlessly. I've encountered many definitions of creativity, such as Steve Jobs' idea that it involves connecting previously unrelated experiences and insights, and Albert Einstein's belief that creativity is seeing what everyone else sees but thinking what no one else has thought. These perspectives, though different, all capture multiple aspects of creativity. As a researcher in a lab, I often reflect on this. I've come to believe that the essence of creativity lies in how we nurture our thinking daily. For me, a relentless search for creative ideas hasn’t been fruitful. Immersing myself in the world of atoms and molecules to simulate cellular processes has deepened my understanding but hasn’t directly sparked new ideas. However, this doesn’t mean I can step away from my lab and wait for inspiration to strike from thin air. I've realized that creativity is about balancing lab work with 'un-lab' activities. It's crucial to have a subconscious pursuit where ideas emerge organically through the random associations and by using art of elimination. For example, when tackling a problem based on protein motor movements, reading books on geometry led me to delve deeper into mathematics, which in turn directed me towards electronics. Much like a cinematic universe, I built crossover ideas from subjects ranging from biology to mathematics. Though these ideas weren't always concrete, the process itself helped me extract creative insights. Having the license to think out of the blue, defines its beauty. Rather than actively searching for creative ideas, focusing on accumulating as much knowledge and experience as possible. This constant thirst and desire to be creative help connect the dots over time. Let's normalize exploring uncharted paths that are outside the realm of your experience. What are your thoughts on nurturing creativity? #Creativity #Innovation #Research #ScientificThinking
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??♀? There is a long-established connection between walking and enhanced creativity. ?? Researchers at Stanford recently found that walking outside led to almost three times as many creative ideas as sitting indoors, especially in the area of the brain responsible for ‘divergent thinking’ or idea generation. ?? If you’re stuck for a solution, get out of your seat. #realisetraining #workbetter #creativity #ideas #divergentthinking
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Great post, Lakshmi - I love our conversations on synchronicity - if anyone is interested in my research my book 9 Keys of Synchronicity has a special limited offer of $3.26 - it has a great review from Lakshmi. https://lnkd.in/gkfckQwt
Powering people in science and technology to lead and live well | Scientist turned award-winning leadership coach| SG 40-over-40 | HBR Advisory Council | EGN Chair| Enoughness Mindset Architect
Have you ever observed coincidences that just can't be explained? I have always been curious of such life events from young. But as I got older and became a scientist, I only believed what could be proved with experiment, data and evidence. Much later on, when I went through certain personal challenges, I found myself thinking beyond what current science can explain. I wondered if there's something beyond what our 5 senses can perceive, like energy and vibrations. Recently I began to understand more through the concept of #synchronicity- - Through my friend and mentor DR PHILIP MERRY TeamSynchronicity Coach, one of the few experts with a PhD in #Leadership and #Synchronicity. (Philip has a chapter in his book- the emerging science of Synchronicity) ?? Synchronicity, defined by Carl Jung in early 1900s, refers to meaningful coincidences that occur without a causal connection, rooted in the idea that we are all interconnected at a 'quantum' level. ?? I find synchronicity awe-inspiring. It’s not about material gains but about unexpected coincidences, and the power of intuition. ?? Philip is pioneering the concept of team synchronicity, and I’m grateful to learn from his experiences, including his work with organizations like the UN. (I am Belbin Team Roles certified by Philip :)) ?? If you're curious about how synchronicity can enhance your personal and professional life, I highly recommend exploring Philip's work, especially his book "9 Keys of Synchronicity" ( Link in comments)
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?? Creativity: The Playful Side of Intelligence ?? Albert Einstein once quipped, "Creativity is intelligence having fun." ?? But what does it really mean when someone describes your work as creative? And how can you enhance your creative abilities in your professional life? #CreativeThinking ?? To understand #Creativity, let's start with a definition. Professor Margaret Boden, a renowned researcher in the field of creativity science at the University of Sussex, offers this insight after more than three decades of study: "Creativity is a fundamental aspect of human intelligence. It's rooted in everyday mental processes like associating ideas, remembering, perceiving, thinking analogically, exploring structured problem spaces, and engaging in self-criticism. Creativity isn't just cognitive—it involves motivation and emotion, and is intimately connected to cultural context and personality traits." #BrainScience ?? This definition suggests that creativity isn't limited to artistic or musical talents. Instead, it's a feature of how our brains are wired to tackle problems, generate novel ideas, and experience those enlightening "aha!" moments. ?? This form of #EverydayCreativity is what enables you to develop innovative business strategies, resolve client issues, or collaborate with your team to brainstorm fresh concepts. #InnovationMindset ?? #ProblemSolving is at the heart of creativity in the workplace. ?? Whether you're devising a new marketing campaign or finding efficient ways to streamline operations, your brain is engaging in creative processes. #BusinessInnovation Remember, creativity isn't about reinventing the wheel every time. Sometimes, it's about connecting existing ideas in new ways or applying solutions from one field to another. ?? #ThinkOutsideTheBox So next time you're faced with a challenge at work, embrace your inner Einstein and let your intelligence have some fun! ?? #BrainPower #EinsteinQuotes This article is based on content from?https://lnkd.in/dmJnv7yQ
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The hippocampus is a brain area involved in many important cognitive functions including memory, navigation and imagining the future. When we move into any given environment a subset of memories associated with that particular place are brought to to mind, at a subliminal level, as they are likely to be most useful in completing tasks and reaching goals in that space. For example, if you are getting from A to B on the London Underground, your hippocampus will prime memories of past experiences on the London Underground (not the Paris Metro or New York City Subway) because they are likely to be most useful in helping you reach your destination efficiently. In my brain talk on the Science of Creativity I argue that: as memories of past experiences relating to a certain places being primed whenever you move from one space to another, trying to innovate in the board room (or any other part of the office where stressful activities like annual reviews, disciplinary meetings etc take place) is a terrible idea. I encourage my audiences to do their innovation and problem solving in places and spaces that are unencumbered by past negative experiences - a quiet corner in a nearby cafe, an infrequently visited part of the office, an off-site meeting location etc - so that this location slowly but surely becomes associated with a more creative mindset. That way, when you need to dream up a new idea, as soon as you cross the threshold into that dedicated "creative space" your hippocampus will immediately start to bring to mind positive memories associated with past experiences in that particular location. This nudges your brain into a more open-minded state that fosters and supports genuinely creative thinking. My "Science of Creativity" Talk is just one of six that I've been giving in keynote speaking slots all over Europe and the USA, so if you have an event coming up and need to book a speaker, drop me a line so we can discuss how I might be able to help enlighten your audience as to how to get more out of their brains. #keynote #speaker #talks #sortyourbrainout #neuroscience #motivation #creativity #problemsolving #innovation
