Simple yet valuable advice for every scientist

(Modified from Richard Freynman)

1. See failure as a beginning, opportunity, a nudged in the right direction. 

2. Never stop learning, but never let the knowledge get on the way of your imagination. 

3. Assume nothing, question everything. Not only your ideas but also the context that gives your ideas form. 

4. Teach others what you know. Never be afraid of sharing your fears and confusion. 

5. Analyze objectively. Never rush to make conclusions.

6. Practice humility at all times. Always see your colleagues as your brothers in arms, not as your enemy or competition. 

7. Respect constructive criticism. Value the chance to see your work from someone else perspective. 

8. Take the initiative. 

9. Always give credit where it’s due. 

10. Love what you do. If you don’t, don’t do it. 

11. Try to remember that the way you learned how to do it, is neither the only way to do it nor the best way to do it.

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Some “ideas” we like…

The greatest enemy of knowledge is not ignorance, it is the illusion of knowledge

DANIEL BOORSTIN

Measure twice, cut once

Carpenter’s mantra

It is easy to think about problems, for it is a task of memory. Thinking about solutions is much harder because it is a creative exercise.

Do not make the “perfect” the enemy of the “good”.