The Power of Exploring Your Interests
And the danger of cognitive entrenchment
Albert Einstein is simply known as one of the greatest thinkers of all time. His theory of relativity explained concepts that no one could fully understand — space, time, matter, and gravity.
When you look at Einstein’s accomplishments, it’s natural to assume that he was a determined man who had tunnel-vision focus and used every hour of his day to solve these great mysteries. A determined man he was, but consumed by a singular focus he wasn’t.
What lies beneath Einstein’s great findings is a curious mind that has explored all sorts of different interests and hobbies. He loved sailing, playing the violin, and studying other fields that interested him. This brought him joy and excitement and allowed him to think differently.
We now know Einstein as the face of creativity and sheer genius. So what separated him from the other scientists of his time?
Perhaps it was his ability to break free from the traditional thought of his field. He refused to be a victim of cognitive entrenchment.
The Pursuit of Interests
Cognitive entrenchment is a concept in psychology that explains the ruts we sometimes find ourselves in.
