There’s a popular quote often attributed to Albert Einstein: “The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.” It’s catchy, widely shared, and frequently invoked in self-help and business contexts. But did Einstein actually say it? And more importantly, is the statement even true?
Let’s unpack the origins of this quote and explore whether the idea holds up in real-life scenarios.
Did Einstein Really Say That?
Despite the quote’s popularity, there’s no evidence that Albert Einstein ever said or wrote it. The phrase first appeared in print in the 1980s, long after Einstein’s death, in a pamphlet for Alcoholics Anonymous. It has since been misattributed to Einstein, as well as to other figures like Benjamin Franklin and Mark Twain.
Einstein was a brilliant physicist, not a psychologist or philosopher. While the sentiment of the quote aligns with certain common-sense ideas about change and adaptability, there’s no historical basis for linking it to him.
Is the Quote True?
On the surface, the quote seems logical. If you keep doing the same thing without making any changes, you’re likely to get the same result. However, framing this as “insanity” is overly simplistic—and in some cases, outright misleading.
The reality is that repeating the same action can lead to different results if the circumstances or context change. More importantly, improvement often comes not from abandoning the action itself but from adjusting what you do in between repetitions.
Why Repetition Isn’t Insanity
Take running as an example:
- If you participate in a weekly 5K race and always come in at the same time, you might expect the same result week after week.
- But if you change your training in between—by incorporating speed work, building endurance, or improving your diet—you can reasonably expect to run faster over time, even though the race itself is the same.
Similarly, consider a football team. They might lose several games in a row, but each week they return to the field expecting to win. The difference is what happens during the week: analyzing plays, improving techniques, or shifting strategies. Repeating the act of playing the game isn’t insanity; it’s the process of learning, adapting, and applying new insights.
The same principle applies in work:
- A sales pitch might fall flat multiple times, but if you refine your delivery, adjust your approach based on feedback, or tailor your message to different clients, the outcome can change. The act of giving the pitch stays the same, but the preparation and process evolve.
The Real Lesson
The real takeaway is that change doesn’t always mean abandoning the activity itself. It’s about making adjustments, learning from experience, and improving incrementally. Progress often requires repetition—whether it’s practicing a skill, refining a strategy, or building endurance.
Instead of avoiding repetition, focus on what you do in between to ensure growth:
- Reflection: Analyze what went wrong or could be improved.
- Adjustment: Try new techniques or strategies based on what you’ve learned.
- Commitment: Keep showing up and putting in the work.
Repetition is the foundation of mastery. Whether you’re training for a marathon, perfecting a sales pitch, or building a business, the key is not to avoid repeating actions but to make the most of the time between attempts.
Beyond the Quote
So, is the definition of insanity doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results? Not really. True insanity might be doing the same thing repeatedly without learning or adapting.
Progress requires persistence, and success often comes from embracing repetition while making thoughtful adjustments along the way. Whether it’s in sports, work, or personal development, consistency combined with deliberate change is what leads to different—and better—results.
So next time you hear someone repeat this misattributed Einstein quote, feel free to challenge it. Insanity isn’t about trying again—it’s about refusing to grow.