We can easily say that Nikola Tesla is one of the greatest minds of all time, right? Well yes, and this great scientist managed to do a lot with his life. We all know that, but have you ever asked yourself – what helped Tesla to be so productive? First of all, you should know that Nikola Tesla is most famously known for his contributions to the design of the alternating current electricity system, but he’s also credited with around 300 other patents for all kinds of inventions.
Throughout his life, he was always working on new projects. Ladies and gentlemen, in this article we’re going to show you 3 things that helped Tesla “train” his mind. So, sit back and enjoy the ride.
1. TAKE TIME TO REALLY THINK BEFORE BUILDING
This amazing person and great scientist always talked about how he could visualize machines, and rarely drew out schematics before he started building. The process, often referred to as visual thinking, isn’t ingrained in all of us, but we’ve shown you how to identify it before. Even if it’s not a trait most of us have, the idea to just concentrate on the end product is certainly something we’ve talked about before, and creative thinking often requires that you relax and just work through problems in your head.
In his autobiography, Tesla describes the process like so:
“My method is different. I do not rush into actual work. When I get an idea I start at once building it up in my imagination. I change the construction, make improvements and operate the device in my mind. It is absolutely immaterial to me whether I run my turbine in thought or test it in my shop. I even note if it is out of balance. There is no difference whatever, the results are the same.”
2. YOU SHOULD TAKE A WALK
We all know that a good walk at the park is very good for us and our health, right? But, did you know that a simple walk can boost your creativity as well? Well, Tesla seemed to adhere to this idea as well, and although his walking habits eventually became an obsessive compulsive habit, he shares that several of his “eureka” moments came when he was out for a walk. One of the more famous examples of this is when Tesla came up with his idea of the alternating current:
Back in 1881, he moved to Budapest, after recovering from his breakdown, and he was walking through a park with a friend, reciting poetry, when idea came to him – the idea of the alternating current, Ladies and gentlemen, the whole idea about this is that when you leave your workspace, you should take a walk, and let an idea incubate, you’re more likely to come to the solution you’re looking for. It doesn’t have to mean taking a walk, but it’s good to step out of your box, and do some creative thinking on the go now and again.
3. TAKE CARE OF YOUR PROBLEMS – ALONE
Yes, you got that right, you should always take care of you problems alone. And, just like many other inventors and scientists, Nikola Tesla was an advocate for solitude when creating and working.
This is one of his famous sayings:
“The mind is sharper and keener in seclusion and uninterrupted solitude. No big laboratory is needed in which to think. Originality thrives in seclusion free of outside influences beating upon us to cripple the creative mind. Be alone, that is the secret of invention; be alone, that is when ideas are born.”