I want to tell you about two people who, on the face of things, don’t seem to have much in common. And then I’m going to suggest that both these men also share these same commonalities with you too.
First, about the two men.
One was born in Europe in 1879, the other in South America over a hundred years later (1987).
One is a symbol of genius, the other is known as the GOAT (Greatest of All Time) of football.
One is Albert Einstein, the other is Lionel Messi.
Both certainly come from a different time, but they also seem to inhabit different universes. Yet despite the chasm between their fields of expertise, they share a profound connection both to one another and to Anaïs Nin’s famous (and fabulous) quote…
“We don’t see things as they are, we see things as we are.”
Anaïs Nin
The quote essentially means that the way in which we perceive the world is filtered through our inner beliefs, experiences, and values. Einstein and Messi transformed their respective worlds by seeing possibilities others could not. As you can too. Like them, you possess the same potential to reshape your world.
How Einstein and Messi reframe reality
Einstein and Messi are masters of reframing reality, seeing challenges as opportunities and reimagining what’s possible. The former turned conventional physics on its head, the latter transformed football through vision and resilience.
As a young man, Albert Einstein wasn’t considered a prodigy by traditional standards. His teachers found him to be easily distracted, lazy even. He struggled to conform to the rigid academic structures of the day, eventually taking a job as a patent clerk – a role many would see as a career setback for an aspiring scientist. Yet Einstein, crucially, didn’t let societal expectations dictate his path. Instead, his unconventional perspective allowed him to see the world differently.
While others followed established theories, Einstein asked, “What if?” His thought experiments (such as imagining what it would be like to ride alongside a beam of light) led him to develop his groundbreaking theory of relativity. His ability to reimagine the nature of time and space didn’t come from being better at maths than others; it came from seeing the universe through the lens of his curiosity and creativity.
Lionel Messi, on the other hand, was diagnosed with a growth hormone deficiency as a child, and thus faced an uphill battle in pursuing his dream of becoming a professional footballer. His small stature was seen as a disadvantage in a sport often dominated by physicality. Messi, however, didn’t see his size as a limitation. Instead, his unique perspective on the game allowed him to turn his supposed weakness into a strength.
His low center of gravity gave him both agility and balance, allowing him to outmaneuver larger defenders. But more importantly, his creativity and instinctive understanding of the game enabled him to see opportunities that others simply could not. Where others saw a wall of defenders, Messi saw pathways. His genius lies not just in his technical skill but in how he perceives the game – intuitively, creatively, uniquely.
What Einstein and Messi teach us about ourselves
Einstein and Messi didn’t succeed simply because they were more skilled or talented than others in their fields. They succeeded because they saw the world through lenses shaped by who they were – Einstein through curiosity and questioning, Messi through resilience and creativity. And you share this potential too.
The way you see the world is already unique to you. The way you approach challenges, think about solutions, and find meaning in your experiences can become the foundation for something extraordinary. But it can also hold you back if your beliefs become self-limiting.
The key is to recognise that your perspective shapes your reality and, with it, your ability to innovate, grow, and achieve.
Three commonalities between Einstein, Messi, and you
1. Turning obstacles into opportunities: Both Einstein and Messi faced challenges that could have derailed their paths, but they reframed these obstacles as opportunities.
• Einstein: Stuck in a patent office, he used his “ordinary” job as a chance to think deeply and independently, free from academic constraints.
• Messi: Viewed as too small to succeed, he turned his size into a competitive advantage, building a playing style based on agility and precision.
• You: Think about your own challenges. Are they roadblocks, or can you reframe them as opportunities to grow? Perhaps a career setback is a chance to pivot toward something more aligned with your passions, or a personal struggle can be the source of newfound strength and empathy?
2. Creativity as a superpower: The thinker and the footballer relied on creativity to achieve their greatness.
• Einstein: His thought experiments weren’t just technical; they were imaginative, allowing him to question assumptions others took for granted.
• Messi: His play on the field is nothing short of artistry, creating moments of brilliance that defy logic.
• You: Creativity isn’t limited to art or science. How can you think differently about your daily life or challenges? Maybe there’s a better way to approach a problem at work, a fresh way to communicate with a loved one, or a new perspective that shifts how you view yourself?
3. Inner vision shapes outer success: Both Einstein and Messi saw possibilities others did not because this vision stemmed from their inner qualities which others could not see.
• Einstein: His curiosity and willingness to challenge the status quo gave him the freedom to explore uncharted territory.
• Messi: His resilience and instinct helped him view the football field as a canvas for innovation, not just a place to compete.
• You: Your inner beliefs (about what’s possible for you, about your own potential) shape how you see the world. What if you started seeing yourself as someone capable of extraordinary things? How might that change the way you approach your goals, your life?
Applying their mindset to your life
Here are three ways to bring Albert’s and Lionel’s mindset into your own thinking:-
1. Reframe your challenges: The next time you encounter an obstacle, ask yourself, “How can I see this differently?” Rather than focusing on what’s wrong, focus on what you can learn or how you can grow.
2. Embrace your unique perspective: Stop comparing yourself to others…..now! Your strengths and experiences shape a perspective that’s entirely your own. Lean into it. Whether that’s at work, in relationships, or in personal growth, trust that your way of seeing things has value.
3. Cultivate curiosity and creativity: Like Einstein, ask “What if?” more often. Like Messi, think outside the box and trust your instincts. Approach problems with a sense of wonder and a willingness to experiment.
You are more like them than you think
Albert Einstein and Lionel Messi didn’t achieve greatness because they had superhuman abilities. They achieved it because they embraced their unique ways of seeing the world. They reframed their challenges, leaned into their creativity, and trusted their inner vision to guide them toward extraordinary outcomes.
Anaïs Nin’s quote reminds us that how we see the world reflects who we are. If you start seeing yourself as someone who is capable of high creativity, resilience, and greatness – as Einstein and Messi did – you’ll begin to unlock new possibilities in your own life.
So actually, the question isn’t whether you share commonalities with Einstein or Messi. The question is: how will you use them?
Please do get in touch if you have any comments or questions on this article, or if you’d like to suggest a topic for another piece.
Nathan Wood Consulting 