Brought to you by: www.dream-it-plan-it-do-it.comBrought to you by: www.dream-it-plan-it-do-it.com

Part 3: Inspiring People

Albert EinsteinAlbert Einstein

Inspiring

People:

Lessons

for us.

Inspirational LessonsInspirational Lessons

Despite being probably the most iconic scientificfigure of our era, Albert Einstein was a classicintrovert. Preferring the comfort of the laboratory tothe public arena, Einstein was often regarded bythose around him as somewhat of a recluse, areputation which did not always do him too manyfavours. However, Einstein’s life proves that some ofthe greatest contributions are made from behindthe scenes.

Born in Germany, Einstein moved to Italywhen his father’s electro-technical businessran into financial difficulty and the family

decided it best to try their fortuneselsewhere. Initially, he remained in Germany

to continue his high school education.However, feeling lonely, he joined his parents

A committedstudent,Einstein’sdesire to studywas nothampered forlong by the absence of a high school diploma.After a brief stint in a high school in Switzerland,he enrolled at the Swiss Federal PolytechnicSchool to study physics where he met his futurewife, Mileva Maric. Einstein’s parents did notapprove, contesting her background and religion.Demonstrating an early passion for activism,Einstein was incensed at the discrimination andpursued the marriage regardless.

It was at university that Einstein gained his

reputation as a recluse. Spending his time in the

laboratory instead of attending lectures,

Einstein did not endear himself to his lecturers,

who provided the young academic with such a

terrible letter of recommendation that he was

unable to find work for two whole years after

graduating.

Albert Einstein was often criticized for being

impulsive and erratic. What his critics did not

understand was that he was simply focused

completely on the end goal, preferring a method of

trial-and-error to sitting back pondering possible

solutions. Being misunderstood did not bother

Einstein, however –

he enjoyed thinking

in a different

direction to other

scientists. The

success that he

enjoyed as a result

is beyond question.

A later commitment to activism saw Einsteinprotesting against the Nazi regime for

discriminating against scientists. Moreover, aftermoving to the USA, he became highly active

exponent of Nuclear Disarmament, heavilycontesting the use of atomic bombs to end the

Second World War. He was involved with variousother anti-war efforts during his activist career.Such was the influence of his views and thestrength of his character that Einstein wasapproached to be the president of Israel.

However, true to his preference for the shadows,he declined the offer, continuing a more low-key

brand of leadership from behind the scenes.

“In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity”

Pro-active as he was, in hospital in 1955 Einsteindecided that he had lived his life to the full, washappy with his achievements, and let nature take itscourse. He passed away the next morning afterrefusing an operation.

Einstein showed us that leadership and success comenot only to those with bold, loud voices. It is alsoenjoyed by those of a more introverted, subtledisposition.

“You never fail until you” stop trying.”

Words of WisdomWords of Wisdom

“I am enough of an artist to draw freely upon my imagination.Imagination is more important than knowledge. Knowledge islimited. Imagination encircles the world.”

“The difference between genius and stupidity is; genius has itslimits.”

“Anyone who has never made a mistake has never triedanything new.”

“Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow. Theimportant thing is to not stop questioning.”

“Try not to become a man of success. Rather become a manof value.”

“The world as we have created it is a process of our thinking.It cannot be changed withoutchanging our thinking.”

Referenceswww.nobelprize.orgwww.biography.comwww.sparknotes.comwww.mindbodygreen.comwww.aip.org