Embrace Your Inner Child: Why I Quit my 9 to 5 and The Feynman Technique 2.0: How to Level Up Your Learning

Embrace Your Inner Child: Why I Quit my 9 to 5 and The Feynman Technique 2.0: How to Level Up Your Learning

Life is short. This is a phrase we often hear, but do we truly understand the weight of its meaning? The average human only lives for around 30,000 days, a mere fraction of the universe's current lifespan. When we subtract the time spent with our parents before college and the necessary activities like sleeping, eating, and exercising, we are left with a mere 10,400 days. That's only 28 years.
So, if we were to imagine that we only had 28 years left to live, how would we choose to spend that time? Would we continue to sacrifice our precious moments for the pursuit of success, or would we embrace our inner child and follow our true passions?

In today's society, we often prioritize money over everything else. We believe that financial success equates to a fulfilling life. However, the truth is that money can be earned back, but time is irreplaceable. We must understand that time is the most valuable asset we possess.

Many of us have fallen into the trap of believing that we must sacrifice our time in order to achieve success. We work long hours, neglecting our inner desires and passions, all for the sake of societal expectations. But is this truly the path to fulfillment?

In the Ted talk "How to Find Work You Love" by Scott Dinsmore, he asks the audience a thought-provoking question: "Have you tried your best to figure out who you are and why you exist?" This question resonated with me deeply because it made me realize that life is too short to work on someone else's dream. We must pay attention to our inner child, for it knows us best.

Our inner child holds the key to our true passions and desires. It is the part of us that gets excited when we engage in activities that bring us joy and fulfillment. It is the spark in our eyes when we create something meaningful that helps others or brings happiness to those around us.

If we only have 28 years on Earth, how would we choose to spend that time? How would we want people to remember us? What are the things that, if left undone, would leave us with regret on our deathbed?

Now, let's shift our focus to the realm of learning and personal growth. The Feynman Technique 2.0, inspired by the original Feynman Technique, offers a unique approach to mastering a subject. It highlights the idea that the more we teach a subject, the better we understand it ourselves.

The first step of the Feynman Technique 2.0 is to study the subject. But it's not just about mindlessly absorbing facts. It's about breaking down and categorizing what we learn. This allows us to structure our studying and prioritize certain aspects over others. By limiting the scope of our learning, we can focus on the most important aspects and create a curriculum with modules and lessons. Setting clear learning objectives for each module and lesson helps us measure our progress and identify areas where we need to improve.

The second step is to teach the subject. When we teach, we must consider our audience. How motivated are they? What do they already know? How much simplification is necessary? By tailoring our teaching to the needs of our audience, we not only help them understand the subject better but also deepen our own understanding.

Identifying knowledge gaps is the third step of the Feynman Technique 2.0. It is crucial to differentiate between knowledge gaps in terms of the subject matter and our teaching skills. Sometimes, we may be unaware of our lack of knowledge in certain areas. This concept of "unconscious incompetence" reminds us to remain humble and open to continuous learning.

Finally, the fourth step is to simplify further. The goal is to unclutter our minds and present the subject in the simplest terms possible. This not only helps our audience grasp the concepts better but also forces us to truly understand the topic ourselves. By taking responsibility for our own learning and the learning of others, we gain a deeper understanding of the subject matter.

Incorporating both the embrace of our inner child and the Feynman Technique 2.0 into our lives can lead to a more fulfilling and enriching existence. By prioritizing our passions and desires, we can ensure that we are spending our limited time on Earth doing what truly matters to us. And by adopting a teaching mindset, we can deepen our understanding of the subjects that interest us, while also helping others along their own learning journeys.

To conclude, here are three actionable pieces of advice:

1. Take the time to reflect on your passions and desires. What activities bring you joy and fulfillment? How can you incorporate more of these activities into your life?
2. Embrace the role of a teacher in your own learning process. Whether it's sharing your knowledge with others or explaining concepts to yourself, teaching can enhance your understanding and deepen your knowledge.
3. Simplify complex subjects to their core essence. By uncluttering your mind and presenting information in a simple and understandable manner, you not only aid your own learning but also help others comprehend the subject better.

Remember, life is short, and time is the most valuable asset we possess. Embrace your inner child and follow your passions, while also adopting a teaching mindset to deepen your understanding of the world around you.