Richard Feynman - Think Different
Nine lessons taught by Richard Feynman on creativity:
1. Be curious about anything
2. Be bold to try something new
3. Be playful
4. The pleasure should be in finding things out
5. Be brutally honest
6. Get so deep that you forget about anything else
7. Provide solid length of time
8. Aim for simplicity
9. Really know what you do
Short and sweet and loaded! Loved the post. I have the book: “Surely you’re joking, Mr. Feynman!”
🙂 Thanks for sharing!
Vidya,
Why am I not surprised that you have read ‘Surely you’re joking Mr. Feynman’? He has and continues to be a great source of inspiration for me. In such a down to earth, approachable manner, he brings the essence of life to us in such a tantalizing manner. xxoo-Fran
Hi Fran,
Enjoyed these lessons on creativity. I also know that I’m on to something when I lose all track of time and forget about anything else. That is my clue that I’m being creative in some way.
Cathy,
I’m happy that you lose track of time when you’re involved in doing something intently….Isn’t it magical? When that happens to me, I always feel that I’ve been touched by a force greater than my normal state of being. 🙂 Fran
Great lessons! I watch my young children as they instinctively utilize these lessons. Why is it that, as adults, we have to be reminded?
Thanks Fran!!
Paige….I know. Children are our teachers. I’m lucky that I live close to a part/river near my apt. At least twice a day I’m on it….I always make a point of stopping and watching a child just ‘being’. They are magnificent. xxoo-Fran
Hi Fran,
Creativity is vital to coming up with solutions that can resolve the problems we face. If we do not have practice at being creative, we might find ourselves at a loss of what to do when we face a difficult problem. I like the 9 lessons you have shared with us from Richard Feynman. Here are some of the thoughts that crossed my mind as I read them.
6. Get so deep that you forget about anything else
Whenever I come across something new that fascinates me, I make sure to read up all that I can about it. In the process, I learn new ideas which I can apply in the future. This widens my arsenal when it comes to problem solving.
8. Aim for simplicity
The simplest methods usually work best. If something is too complex, we might not even be able to get the idea off the ground. If it is too complex, the execution of the idea might be highly problematic as well. But if it is simple, it is easier to carry it out and bring about the change we want.
Thank you for sharing this lovely article! 🙂
Irving the Vizier
Hi Vizier…
I also love the concept of simplicity as being an element of the creative process. For years, a lot of us thought that it was like a Rachmaninoff Piano Concerto…thick, deep, elaborate and magical.
And yet, if we look at those who have been creative in certain endeavors, their ideas tend to be simple….and elegant. We might even think to ourselves ‘why didn’t I think of that idea…?’
That’s the beauty of simplicity. In the creative process, it’s the way the individual makes connections that differentiates them from others.
Think about the founders of Home Depot or Starbucks….just to name a few. Simple ideas…going deep into them, and learning as much as they can…those are integral elements of being innovative.
In the past 10 years, the importance of ‘critical thinking’ has gotten onto the radar of certain educators. How much it’s taking off, I don’t know.
But the good news is that there is a huge movement thanks to researchers/educators like John Taylor Gotto, a renegade in the field of educating our kids. His book ‘Dumbing Us Down’ is one of my all time favorites about education and Howard Gardner, the Harvard U researcher who created the concept of multiple intelligence.
Isn’t it interesting that primitive cultures intrinsically taught their kids how to solve problems and survival skills? And yet today, we are laboring over it.
Thanks for chiming in. It’s always heartwarming to see others reflecting on its importance in our society. Fran
Fran,
I don’t know who Mr. Feynman is, am I the only one?? I love no. 6 and plan on doing that today.
Hi Tess,
Richard Feynman is not a household name. I was lucky enough to have a friend turn me onto him years ago. Here’s a paragraph on him:
“Richard P. Feynman (1918-1988), scientist, teacher, raconteur, and musician. He assisted in the development of the atomic bomb, expanded the understanding of quantum electrodynamics, translated Mayan hieroglyphics, and cut to the heart of the Challenger disaster. But beyond all of that, Richard Feynman was a unique and multi-faceted individual.”
His curiosity and passion, love of life and beauty, a teacher who was able to speak a simple language….and much more.
#6 is a great choice….to be practiced for the rest of our lives. 🙂
Hi Fran,
It’s my first time here. I’ve been accused a lot of #5, being too honest. That has followed me since I was a child. But, I can’t help it. I do not like hypocrites and I think that there are not enough people out there, just telling as it is.
Great blog 🙂
Dear Sylviane,
The benefits of being honest far outweigh any criticism you receive. Bravo to you for having the courage to be who you are.
The ongoing challenge for me is in learning to be honest with myself.
I have been working on it for years and continue to do so.
It consistently frees me up to be who I’m meant to be…rather than what I think I’m supposed to be.
I’m glad that you happened upon Awake Create. I hope to see you here again…and to hear your honest thoughts. Warmly, Fran
🙂 I just read Tess’s comment and felt “whew! I’m not the only one” I too have just been introduced to Mr. Feynman 🙂
Choosing to be playful is a pretty powerful for igniting creativity. Every time I find myself stuck, I discover that I’m being too serious, too logical, too heady – when I can find the sense of play in the situation – I get unstuck and creative solutions appear.
Dear Aileen…
Isn’t it amazing how easy it is to get stuck? We think we can create, reach a solution by overusing our logic…which is where I’m at right now (LOL). I agree with you …play is where it’s at…and it’s a lot of fun …fran
Choosing to be playful is a pretty powerful for igniting creativity. Every time I find myself stuck, I discover that I’m being too serious, too logical, too heady – when I can find the sense of play in the situation – I get unstuck and creative solutions seem to appear out of nowhere. And when they don’t, I wait….and they eventually show their face.:) Fran
Hi, Fran, Thanks for your comment on my guest post over at The BridgeMaker. I love your blog, especially because I never have thought of myself as particularly creative and I’m trying very hard to tap into that part of me these days. Your blog will be a wealth of inspiration and good advice. Thanks!
Dear Galen…
Gee…with 5 kids and 7 birds..and how you write….well, from an objective view point, you are creative. My suggestion is to start taking note throughout your day when you have what I call a ‘creative morsel’. It doesn’t have to be a few hours of writing. Check my earlier posts for an explanation. I think your writing is creative not only because of your ability as a wordsmith but you also string thoughts together seamlessly. Am so glad you dropped by and am looking forward to seeing you here again. Fran
I didn’t know who Richard Feynman was either! I googled him before I read Tess’s comment! Love this list and love the fact that a scientist came up with it. We forget that scientists need to be very creative and think outside the box!
Betsy…
I was having dinner with my family last night and someone mentioned that they had read the Feynman list….and also said that they didn’t know who he was. Everyone else chimed in as well SO…so join the crowd. Yep, it’s easy to think of creativity as being within the domain of artists. I think the one scientist that almost everyone knows…Albert Einstein….could be considered one of the great ‘creatives’ of the 20th century…:) Fran
Hi Fran,
I loved point 4 about the pleasure being in finding out! This is so true. So often we set a goal and just have the outcome in mind. And if we don’t achieve what we want right away, we get depressed and disheartened.
However, there are all the wonderful little steps we will take, in order to reach where we want to go, and so many amazing things we will learn along the way. This is where the pleasure lies.
Thanks for sharing Fran. 🙂
Hi Hiten,
It’s great to see your face here. I jumped over to your blog to do a look-see. I LOVE your focus. Have bookmarked to go back after I’m done working and spend time on it.
Yes….for me, the process is what it’s all about. I have found when I set goals, I often end up tripping over them and losing my passion…but there certainly are times when you need them to achieve what you want.
I’m posting a YouTube short video of Feynman talking about curiosity. He is in my top 10 list of inspirational individuals.
I’ll be curious to hear what you think of him…Fran
Hi Fran,
Incredible site. I came by it via Steve Pressfield and reading his works. I was introduced to Feynman by Tim Ferriss. Inspiring individual. Who are your top 10 inspirational individuals?
From his list of nine, can you elaborate on # 7: Provide solid length of time. Basically, I need an explication.
Thanks for your time. Again, thanks for the good work. I will be a frequent visitor to your site. Take care.
Ciao
Jose F. Benjumea
Hi Jose…
Thanks for your kind words. I’m in good company if both Steve Pressfield and Tim Ferris are talking about Richard Feynman.
An interpretation of #7? Find solid length of time? I see 2 interpretations…the first is that you need to work in large chunks of time….rather than an hour here or there, put in 3 or more hours in one sitting. I know from studying the piano that when I played for over 3 hours, I made a tremendous amount of progress.
The second interpretation…which is more metaphoric is that you need to put in years of work, with a commitment to whatever it is you’re passionate about.
As far as the 10 people who have inspired me the most? Wow….that’s a good question. As a matter of fact, you just gave me an idea for a post.
But off the top of my head, I will tell you one….Andre Watts, the concert pianist. There’s a story that goes with that one but for another time. Fran
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