How to make the Feynman Technique work for you?
The Feynman Technique is a system for understanding complex concepts. Today, let’s find out more about this method which could benefit you both in work and personal life.
Richard Feynman was one of the greatest scientists of the 20th century. He won the Nobel Prize in 1965 for his path-breaking work in Quantum Electrodynamics. He is known as the ‘great explainer’ for his brilliant lectures at Cornell and Caltech.
Yes, Feynman was an intelligent man. But what made him unique was his ingenious way of explaining complicated topics in simple words, free of jargon. He would convert high-level scientific ideas into simple and elegant pieces that anyone could grasp.
He believed that jargon and complexities are often used to hide a lack of understanding.
If you cannot explain anything in simple terms, you do not understand it.
The Feynman Technique is a learning workflow that helps you develop a deep understanding of any topic. It involves the following steps-
Step 1: Select your topic
Step 2: Teach it to a child
Step 3: Identify your knowledge gaps
Step 4: Simplify, Organize and tell your story
1. Select your topic
Choose the topic that you want to learn about. Write down everything that you know about the topic based on your initial knowledge.
Continue to research and know more about the topic. Once more information is analyzed by your brain, add it to your notes.
If you hit a complicated word while describing the process, break it down into simple words.
2. Teach it to a child
This is where the magic happens. Now, attempt to explain the concept to a child. This will force you to refine your understanding of the topic.
While explaining it to a child, you will have to be brief and use simple words.
3. Identify your knowledge gaps
Teaching gives you access to feedback about your knowledge.
This is the crucial step where one masters the subject. If there are gaps in your understanding, it will come out in the open. Remember to keep adding to your knowledge to improve the whole story.
4. Simplify, Organize and tell your story
You can now go back and fill the gaps in your story. Revise and improve your grasp of the topic.
You will be able to make simple analogies to better explain difficult concepts.
Continue to refine your narrative till it is perfect.
I love the Feynman Technique and I use it every day. It is a powerful way of breaking down complex ideas into simple stories and making them stick.
A lot of people use complicated words and jargon to mask their lack of understanding. Don’t be fooled.
