The classic story of chair philosophy of science superstar

After Einstein graduated from university, he lost his job several times a year. Later, he applied to the Patent Office in Bern, Switzerland, and became a technical examiner.

He walks to the patent office and the fourth floor every morning, and sits in his long and narrow office for eight hours. At that time, the patent office used long-legged chairs, which made many people form a habit: lean back, put their legs on the table and leisurely review the drawings.

Einstein was not used to this. He would rather work at his desk nervously and intently. One day, he brought a saw from home and sawed off part of the leg of the chair. In this way, he can work with his whole body buried in the drawings on the table according to his own habits. After checking the drawings every day, he used the time saved to do physics research that fascinated him.

It was also during his working days in Berne Patent Office that Einstein achieved fruitful scientific research results. He put forward the light quantum hypothesis, for which he won the Nobel Prize, and the theory of relativity was born during this period. Here, he initiated a new era of physics.

If we look through history again, we will find a simple dining table and two simple chairs in Madame Curie's living room. Madame Curie's father once wanted to give them a set of luxurious furniture, but they refused. The reason is very simple. With sofas and soft chairs, people need to clean them. It's a pity to spend time on them. They didn't add a third chair in order not to let the chatting guests sit down. Madame Curie said: "In my life, I always pursue quiet work and simple family life."

For Einstein, what he sawed off was not only a chair leg, but also a comfortable working state, which enabled him to concentrate on his work completely and not slack off because of his ease. For the Curies, two chairs gave them the motivation to work together in their careers. There are no extra chairs, which keeps them away from the intrusion of personnel and the rendering of fame, and finally climbs the peak of science.

It turns out that success is a process of simplifying the complex. Delete the relaxation that makes people slack off, and add simple and diligent efforts, then you are not far from Excellence.