Quoted: Einstein's Fantasy

“When I examine myself and my methods of thought, I come close to the conclusion that the gift of fantasy has meant more to me than my talent for absorbing absolute knowledge.” – Albert Einstein

While most people may imagine that Einstein was very scholarly and focused on studying concrete numbers and science, his quote sends a very different message. 

The gift of fantasy may mean that mathematical formulas may have been secondary to him. Much of the science and theories that he created never existed before. He had to invent that knowledge rather than apply what he already knew.

His ability to imagine an outcome was primary and may have been his greatest gift to society.

The ability to fantasize about the end first instead of the process to get there is more valuable according to Einstein. Many people spend an enormous of amount of effort thinking through the process of accomplishing a goal. That method is arduous because it requires you to always have to solve the problem before you know the outcome. If you know the outcome first, the process may be very different and be wrought with less problems than it at first appears. 

For example, imagine you are speaking to a group. Instead of figuring out what you want to say to them, have the desired result in mind first. What do you want people to think when you finish speaking? What actions do you want them to take after hearing you? How should they feel? If you understand those outcomes first, it becomes much easier to prepare what to say.

Create your fantasy first and become an inventor of new and satisfying outcomes.