He was sitting under an apple tree when an apple fell on his head and he discovered gravity. We all know the story. But did you know that Isaac Newton was a part of the scientific revolution?
Born in 1642, Sir Isaac Newton was the co-developer of calculus. In addition to his work in mathematics, optics, theory of colors and gravity, Newton derived the famous laws of motion and also proved that the Earth does actually revolve around the sun and is not the centre of the universe. He remained a devout Christian his entire life and managed to maintain a great balance between science and religion.
Experts estimate that Newton had an IQ of 195, which is way beyond the gifted range of 130. In 1705, Newton was knighted by Queen Anne in Cambridge, and became the second scientist ever to be knighted.
Newton was an inspiration even after his death for many mathematicians and scientists including Einstein who was rumoured to keep a picture of Newton in his study. Till today his words inspire us all, and provide great life lessons.
It is no wonder then that he was given the title of “Sir” and memorials were built to him, after his death.
Be diplomatic
“Tact is the knack of making a point without making an enemy.”
Making an enemy does not do good and can close doors for you. You can speak your mind and get your opinion out there without offending anyone. Better yet, choose your battles. Sometimes you don’t need to make your opinion heard. Gauge your surroundings, your company and the impact of your opinion. Express yourself when the outcome will be positive.
Keep it simple
“Truth is ever to be found in simplicity, and not in the multiplicity and confusion of things.”
If you want to start something and never finish it then the best way to do this is to make things complicated. Do not make your idea that you had so much passion about into a monster. Simplicity means that it is easier to pitch your idea, easier to market it, and easier to maintain. Complication can hinder your growth.
Know that you know nothing
“What we know is a drop, what we don’t know is an ocean”
If you are overconfident that you know it all, then you will stop learning and you will stop growing. Once you accept the fact that there is so much you do not know then you have the hunger to learn more, and be more. Keep arrogance in check and stay humble. In this day and age, especially, the world is going by so fast, that what you know today becomes obsolete tomorrow. This is especially true for technology. Therefore, it always best to assume that you need to keep learning.
Build alliances
“Men build too many walls and not enough bridges.”
We talked about how to not make enemies, but it is also important to actively make friends, and allies, in the right places. Surround yourself with like-minded people that ignite your curiosity and motivate you. Hanging out with the right bunch of people may sometimes mean that you are also hanging out with your competitors, and that is completely alright, as the collective passion benefits all.
Learn from your peers
“If I have seen further it is by standing on the shoulders of giants”
You do not need to re-do work that has already been done. Instead build on top of work that great men have already accomplished. There is no point in re-inventing the wheel as they say. Whether it is an invention, a concept or a piece of art, it is easier to build on something that already exists.
Be patient
“If I have ever made any valuable discoveries, it has been due more to patient attention, than to any other talent”
Never dismiss your abilities based on lack of talent. More often than not, great discoveries have been made by people who were not especially gifted but had the patience to persevere. Consistency, practice and patience can lead to many great outcomes.
Be bold
“No great discovery was ever made without a bold guess”
Do not limit yourself. Take risks and hope for the best. If you fail, at least you will not have the regret of not trying. And if you succeed then that is only because you allowed yourself to be courageous.
