How To Learn Physics Like Albert Einstein

Albert Einstein was the greatest physicist in the world.

The discoverer of the Theory of General Relativity, winner of the 1921 Nobel Prize in Physics, and posthumous Time Magazine “Person of the Century”, he accomplished more in his life than most people could in ten lives.

How did he do it?

It all began in 1884. Little Albert was just five years old.

In a seemingly insignificant moment, Albert’s father showed him a small pocket compass, and Albert’s curiosity was piqued.

At an age when most children are not even close to considering a life purpose, Einstein – perhaps unknowingly – was already embarking on his. At ten years of age, this future world changer began to study science, and, within two years, he became engrossed in the study of calculus.

His first scientific work, “The Investigation of the State of Aether in Magnetic Fields” clearly showed his continuing curiosity in the workings of a compass. He wrote that paper when he was only fifteen, and things simply continued from there.

How This Applies To Us

While Einstein certainly had an above-average mind to start with, his real genius came from the power of focus. From an early age, he found something that he loved – something that challenged and captivated him – and devoted himself to it.

1. Choose One Thing

Prayerfully and thoughtfully, decide what you should master. Without a clear goal in mind, you will never succeed in getting there.

As you make various shorter-term choices, make your decision based on the effect it would have on your goal. Focus on the things that get you closer and ignore the rest as much as possible (and, no, that’s not a valid reason to skip washing the dishes).

2. Obsess Over Your Goal

The average internet user spends eight hours a month on Facebook – and that does not even count the average twenty-two hours spent on other websites. While some socializing and web browsing can be relaxing or even educational, a future Albert Einstein must be very careful to not overdo it.

Cut out as much fluff in your life as you can stomach and re-allocate that time to reaching your goal. If it takes 10,000 hours to master something, you need as much time as you can get.

3. Build a Strong Foundation

While focusing on the “critical path” (things directly on the way to your goal) is crucial to success, you must first build a strong foundation.

When learning violin, new students often can make the mistake of focusing on how they sound while ignoring the fundamentals of posture, bowing angle, and fingering. This can lead to a terrific start, but it soon comes to a sudden plateau. Now, sometimes years later, the disappointed student must backtrack and learn the basics.

Avoid this problem by building a strong foundation early in the race. Remember, even Einstein needed to know enough grammar to clearly communicate his ideas about science and mathematics.

4. Perfection is a Lifestyle

When you come up short and feel like a failure, be encouraged by this. When you feel like you have “arrived”, be motivated by this.

Mastery is a continuing process. With hard work, you may someday be the best on earth, but you can always be better.

Even Einstein’s ideas have been improved.

Conclusion

If you remember only one thing, let it be this:

Choose one goal and focus. Then focus some more.

What will you master?

Nate Desmond I'm a Christian young man working on my BSBA in Accounting and writing blog posts in my spare time. I enjoy learning how to do things faster and better... whether through new keyboard shortcuts, world record holding shoelace knots, or motion study.

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