Stephen Hawking was an iconic man and inspirational to all. The famed theoretical physicist, cosmologist, and author died of progressive neurodegenerative disease at the age of 76.

What struck the most about Hawking was his ability to provide such powerful insights into the meaning of life and work, even when his physical body didn't allow him to do much. Having a purpose in your career is often understated how important it is.

In his lifetime, Hawking spoke about striving for success and happiness. Here are a few of his most powerful quotes.

"Remember to look up at the stars and not down at your feet."
Thinking big and looking up at the stars once in a while will allow you to reflect on your life's accomplishments. A good reminder to keep moving forward and to have a bigger life vision.

Yes, it's okay to put your head down and work, but don't sacrifice your bigger vision. Look at the stars and visualize what your future may hold.

You might think that you don't have enough time to reflect, but your schedule is up to you. Use it wisely. Don't get caught looking at your feet all day.

"Never give up work. Work gives you meaning and purpose and life is empty without it."

If you're lucky enough to have work that you enjoy and gives you purpose, keep going. If you don't know what your meaning and purpose is, then it's time to start looking up at the stars.

Work can be frustrating at times, but don't let it discourage you. It's the path to real meaning in your life.

It's tempting to give up especially when things aren't going well for your business. Startups aren't easy, and it can be really stressful. Take some time off if you have too, but don't give up on work. You started something for a reason, so it's important you see it through.

"Intelligence is the ability to adapt to change."
His inability to speak did not stop him at any point in his life. He used technology not only to overcome barriers but achieve great, great things!

Intelligence is not the intellect you were born with, it is how hard you are willing to work, and have the awareness and astuteness to know things are changing.

Adapting to the environment around you, and using it to reach your goal is the sign of intelligence. Minor hiccups at work should not stop you from moving ahead on your path. Adapt to the change around you, reroute and move towards your ultimate destination.

"Concentrate on things your disability doesn’t prevent you doing well and don’t regret the things it interferes with."
After he had been diagnosed with just a few years of life, he made a family and threw himself into his research and work.

Let nothing stop you from doing what you can do. Obstacles are inevitable and uncontrollable. What you can control is your ability to use your strengths to the optimum, without focusing too much on the hurdles. This is an important tip to keep going as an entrepreneur. A few wrong decisions, some backfires, and a roadblock should not keep you from wanting to achieve something great.

"It is no good getting furious if you get stuck. What I do is keep thinking about the problem but work on something else."
Roadblocks and mental blocks are very common for an entrepreneur. Sometimes, the solution is pretty simple and straightforward, while other times finding that solution could be challenging and time-taking. The key in such cases is to never stop doing what you are already doing. Keep working on something, while you figure out a solution for your roadblock. Never, ever stop doing what you are doing.

"I have so much that I want to do. I hate wasting time."
In Hawking’s research about time, he remarked that it is impossible to turn back the clock. Money comes and goes, whereas, time is something that never comes back. You must use it wisely.

Never waste your time doing things that do not take you forward. Never waste your time doing things that do not help you grow. As important as it is to make your business grow, it is equally important to make yourself grow. If you grow as a person, you will grow as an entrepreneur too.

"I hope I have helped to raise the profile of science and to show that physics is not a mystery but can be understood by ordinary people."
Hawking was a firm believer in sharing knowledge. He made his knowledge and theories on artificial intelligence and astrophysics accessible for everyone out there. He believed, that if you do not share your knowledge by communicating effectively, you are losing out on a golden opportunity.

You must not underestimate the power that give-and-take of knowledge holds in our lives. Exchanging know-how, ideas, insights, and beliefs, is one of the lesser-known but very effective ingredients to help an enterprise grow. As an entrepreneur, you should always be ready to teach and learn something new, not just from your partners, but your resources, your clients, and everyone who works around you.

Networking is of utmost importance for growth, and working out of a coworking space presents you with the opportunity to mingle and collaborate, without any extra effort on your end.

"The past, like the future, is indefinite and exists only as a spectrum of possibilities."
Stephen Hawking never took a day in his life, whether good or bad, for granted. He embraced life as it was and moved ahead, every single day. He advocated the mantra of “living in the now” and “embracing the uncertainty”.

Not all your days are going to be good, and not all of them are going to be bad. All you need to do is embrace the indefiniteness and uncertainty of things and keep doing what you can to do justice to the present with all you have, and hope for the best tomorrow.

"People who boast about their IQs are losers."
When you are the smartest in the crowd and do not go around smothering yourself and people with the fact, that is when you start to move in the direction of achieving something extraordinary.

Always keep your eye on expanding your knowledge, growing, and using that knowledge to get somewhere. This is how you will be able to achieve your goals and reach your destination.

"We have this one life to appreciate the grand design of the universe and for that, I am extremely grateful."
Hawking never took anything for granted, and never felt the fate of his own life or of our universe was anyone's responsibility but his own, and mankind's, and felt grateful for his life, and the opportunities he had to study the cosmos.

Stephen Hawking was more than just a theoretical physicist. His contribution to the world of science, and to those looking for life lessons, has been incredible. He personified “Achieving the impossible”. An inspiration that he will always be, to say that the life and work of Stephen Hawking was a success, would be a gross understatement.

What have you admired most about Stephen Hawking? Let us know in the comments. 😊