Principles from Richard Feynman
Mastering Self-Deception: The Key to Personal Growth: Lessons from Richard Feynman
Estimated reading time (3 minutes)
Happy Friday, everyone.
Welcome to Principles Friday, where I share one principle that can help you in your life or business, one thought-provoking question, and one call to action toward that principle.
If you also like to listen to the episode, here is an audio version.
Principle of the Week
“You must not fool yourself, and you are the easiest person to fool.” by Richard Feynman.
Richard Feynman was an American physicist who made significant contributions to the development of quantum electrodynamics. He was also known for his work in the field of particle physics, as well as his involvement in the investigation of the Space Shuttle Challenger disaster. He was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1965 for his work in quantum electrodynamics.
In the 1980s, Feynman became interested in the topic of safe-cracking and decided to test the security of the safes at the Los Alamos National Laboratory, where he had worked on the Manhattan Project during World War II. He enlisted the help of a friend and former student, a safecracker named Howard Cannon, to assist him in his experiment.
To the surprise of many, Feynman successfully cracked several of the lab's safes using a combination of his intuition and Cannon's expertise. In one instance, he could break a safe without even turning the dial, simply by tapping the side of the safe with his hand and feeling the vibrations of the lock tumblers. Feynman's experiments led to significant improvements in the lab's security measures and cemented his reputation as a brilliant and eccentric problem-solver.
This story exemplifies Feynman's curiosity, ingenuity, and willingness to approach problems from unconventional angles. It also shows how his desire to take risks and push boundaries led to unexpected breakthroughs and solutions.
Question to Ponder
How can we avoid self-deception and see our blind spots more clearly to make better decisions in life and business?
Call to Action
Take some time this week to reflect on your actions and decisions. Be open to feedback from others, take a personality or skills assessment, and challenge yourself to step outside your comfort zone. By doing so, you may discover some blind spots and take steps toward personal growth and development.
Finding your blind spots can be challenging but crucial for personal growth and development. Here are a few ways to discover your blind spots:
Seek feedback from others: Ask for honest feedback from friends, family, colleagues, or mentors. Be open to receiving constructive criticism and suggestions.
Reflect on your actions and decisions: Take time to reflect on your behavior and decision-making process. Look for patterns and inconsistencies that may indicate a blind spot.
Take personality and skill assessments: Self-assessments can help identify areas where you may have blind spots. For example, a personality test can reveal traits you may not be aware of, while a skills assessment can highlight areas where you need to improve.
Step outside your comfort zone: Challenge yourself to try new experiences or learn a new skill. This can reveal blind spots by highlighting areas where you struggle or need improvement.
Video of the Week
Here is a video where Richard Feynman explains how to answer a “Why” question.
The First 100 Podcast
If you want to learn more principles, I interview founders on my podcast, The First 100, where they share how they acquired their first 100 paying customers. This week:
Episode 59 - The First 100 with Lloyed Lobo, founder of Boast | Community Marketing | Podcast Marketing
Episode 58 - The First 100 with Khalil Alami, Founder of Telr
Interesting Newsletters I recently followed
The Psychology of Business: A community of over 200+ leaders exploring big ideas at the intersection of psychology and business.
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