The 20 Best Stephen Hawking Quotes That Apply to Business
Stephen Hawking was a theoretical physicist, cosmologist, and author who was born in Oxford in 1942. In his career, he has held various roles in universities in both the UK and the United States, despite the challenges he faced due to suffering from motor neuron disease. Hawking is known for his academic career, and as the author of the books’ A Brief History of Time‘, ‘Brief Answers to the Big Questions,’ and several other books. His books focus on cosmology and theoretical physics, with a focus on the theory of relativity. Despite his death in 2018, Hawking remains one of the most influential scientists of his time. Here are the 20 best Stephen Hawking quotes that apply to business.
20. On Using Other People as Inspiration
“Exploration by real people inspires us.”
In business, you do not have to work everything out for yourself as you can use others for inspiration and observe their business behavior as a way of learning. You can learn from their mistakes to avoid making the same errors yourself, and you can learn about what has worked well for them in business so you can enjoy the same success.
19. On Not Letting Things Hold You Back
“My advice to other disabled people would be, concentrate on things your disability doesn’t prevent you doing well and don’t regret the things it interferes with. Don’t be disabled in spirit as well as physically.”
Once you have set your mind to achieving business goals, you should not let anything stand in your way. You will face various challenges, some that are situations out of your control, and some that are caused by other people. Something else that may stand in your way is yourself, as it is common for people to apply limitations to themselves or to lack self-belief. Make sure that you are not the factor that holds you back.
18. On Time Management
“I have so much I want to do. I hate wasting time.”
If you have things to do, then stop wasting time and get on with it. Time is a limited resource, so you should make the most of the time you have available. Plan your time carefully to make sure you use it effectively.
17. On Having a Positive Attitude
“People won’t have time for you if you are always angry or complaining.”
According to Brainy Quote, this is one of the best Stephen Hawking quotes that apply to business. As a businessperson, you need to get your team o your side, and this involves having the right attitude. Similarly, you are a representation of your business, so your attitude can impact on what potential customers think about the company. Therefore, adopting a positive attitude is vital.
16. On Taking a Cautious Approach
“I have noticed that even people who claim everything is predestined, and that we can do nothing to change it, look before they cross the road.”
Sometimes, you may need to take risks in business. However, it is essential that these are calculated risks and that you have all the information you need and weighed the pros and cons of your options before taking potentially risky actions. Using a cautious approach can prevent you from making bad decisions that have negative outcomes.
15. On Setting Goals That Challenge You
“My goal is simple. It is a complete understanding of the universe, why it is as it is, and why it exists at all.”
Stephen Hawkins had big ambitions, and he did not let his disability stand in his way. If your goals are easy to attain, then you will not have sufficient motivation to drive you forward to reach your full potential. Therefore, you need to have goals that challenge you and stretch you a little. In turn, this will motivate you to work hard and achieve more.
14. On Getting the Right Balance in Life
“Just because I do a lot of thinking doesn’t mean I don’t like parties and getting into trouble.”
Although he was an outstanding academic, Hawking also liked to have fun in his personal life. Getting the work-life balance right is important if you want happiness and contentment in both your professional and your personal life, then this balance is vital. Although you need to work hard to achieve professional success, focusing on your personal life is equally crucial. You need time away from work to do the things you enjoy and spend time with the people you love. Doing so will give you more focus during the time you spend at work.
13. On Increasing Your Knowledge
“Humanity’s deepest desire for knowledge is justification enough for our continuing quest. And our goal is nothing less than a complete description of the universe we live in.”
Your knowledge will continue to expand, as learning is a lifelong process. You must take any opportunities to increase your knowledge that come your way, as this helps you to advance in business. Although you can gain knowledge in academic situations, you can also learn by reading, observing others, and through your own experiences.
12. On Making the Most of Your Time
“We should seek the greatest value of our action.”
This Stephen Hawking quote is listed by Reader’s Digest. It is about making sure that all your actions have value, as this will make the most of your time. Therefore, you should make sure that every action you take has a purpose and will contribute something positive to your business.
11. On Recognizing Your Weaknesses
“Without imperfection, you or I would not exist.”
Nobody is perfect, as every person has both strengths and weaknesses. Recognizing your weaknesses is vital if you want to achieve great things in life. If you acknowledge your weaknesses, then you can often do something about them as you can work on these areas during a process of self-improvement. This will have a positive effect on both you and your business.
10. On Getting Out of Difficult Situations
“Black holes ain’t as black as they are painted. They are not the eternal prisons they were once thought. Things can get out of a black hole both on the outside and possibly to another universe. So, if you feel like you are in a black hole, don’t give up- there’s a way out.”
Everything will not always run smoothly in business. At times, you may face obstacles and challenges. When this happens, you may find it difficult to find a solution and get yourself out of the situation. However, things are usually not as bad as they seem, and there are solutions to most problems. If you are having trouble finding a solution, ask someone else’s opinion as they may look at the problem from a different perspective.
9. On Having Ambition
“Remember to look up at the stars and not down at your feet.”
Stephen Hawking believed in aiming high, so he told his children they should look up at the stars and not down at their feet. He said this so they would take notice of the wonders around them, and not miss any opportunities in life. You can also apply this quote to business as you should always aim high if you want to become successful.
8. On Finding Positives in Mistakes
“Next time someone complains that you have made a mistake, tell him that may be a good thing. Because without imperfection, neither you nor I would exist.”
Making mistakes is part of being human, and mistakes are not always a bad thing. On many occasions, mistakes are part of the learning process. When you make mistakes, take the opportunity to learn what you should not do in the future and assess how you could do things better. A further reason that mistakes are sometimes good is that they can make you stronger as a person.
7. On Setting an Example for Your team
“I find that people, in general, are very ready to help, but you should encourage them to feel their efforts to aid you are worthwhile by doing as well as you possibly can.”
Your team will see you as an example and follow your lead. Therefore, you should act in a way that you want your team to emulate. You should work hard, as this will inspire and motivate them to put in the same effort. On the other hand, a lack of effort on your part is something that your team will notice, and it will impact negatively on the effort they put into their work.
6. On Having a Positive Attitude
“One has to have a positive attitude and must make the best of the situations one finds oneself in…”
This Stephen Hawking quote is listed by Mental Floss. Although he was referring to coping with his disability, the quote also applies to business. Having a positive attitude is important, as this will impact on the attitude of your team. On the other side of the coin, having a negative impact will make your team feel negative, which will have a detrimental effect on their motivation levels.
5. On Work Giving Your Life Meaning
“Work gives you meaning and purpose, and life is empty without it.”
One piece of advice that Stephen Hawking gave his children was always to work hard as it would give their life purpose and meaning. You can also find purpose and meaning in your life if you work hard and put effort into making your business a success. Many business people find that their business success is something that defines them as a person.
4. On Embracing the Unknown
“The past, like the future, is indefinite and exists only as a spectrum of possibilities.”
The unknown is something that many people fear, and it is something that can hold many people back in business. Their fear of the unknown is linked to their fear of potential failure. However, nobody knows what will happen in the future, so you should not let this hold you back. You should embrace the unknown and view it as possibilities and opportunities that have yet to reveal themselves.
3. On Having a Passion for Your Work
“I have found greater enthusiasm for science in America than here in Britain. There is more enthusiasm for everything in America.”
Having a passion and enthusiasm for your work is essential if you want to become a success. If you are not passionate about your work, you will find it difficult to remain motivated and positive. It will then have a negative impact on your business, and you will have difficulty making progress. On the other hand, a passion for what you do will keep you motivated and help you to reach your full potential. It is also better for your enjoyment of life in general if you are happy in the workplace.
2. On Adapting to Change
“Intelligence is the ability to adapt to change.”
Change is inevitable, so it is something that you need to accept. Your ability to adapt to change has a direct correlation with the progress you can make in your business. Rather than seeing change as a challenge, view it as an opportunity to do something new and start a new chapter in your business. Change is often positive, as it can help you make necessary improvements that will contribute to your professional success.
1. On Believing You Can Succeed
According to Inc.com, this is one of the best Stephen Hawking quotes that apply to business. It is about the importance of self-belief and the impact this has on your chances of business success. Having self-belief is vital as this will motivate you to keep going. Another reason that self-belief is so important is that others will only have belief in you if you have faith in yourself.