FEYNMAN TECHNIQUE – HOW TO LEARN FASTER

Table of Contents
About the author .............................................................................. 3

Introduction ...................................................................................... 4

What is the Feynman Technique? ................................................... 6

How to apply the Feynman technique ............................................. 7

Example of the Feynman Technique ............................................. 10

The two types of knowledge .......................................................... 14

Conclusion ..................................................................................... 16

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About the author

Maxim Dsouza a self-improvement,
productivity, and time management
enthusiast. He spends every day of his life
trying to find better ways to do things. Many
of my experiments fail and some of them
succeed.

He loves to share what works for him and

what hasn’t on his blog, Productive Club. His
resources are practical and actionable. You
can access them for free here.

On this blog, he shares his thoughts, ideas and tips on:

• Goal Clarity
• Productivity
• Time Management
• Decision Making

He is the author of the book, the Magic of 2 Seconds. Your mind can do
amazing things in 2 seconds. This book is all about learning how to become
self aware by improving your decisions and avoiding mistakes in less than a
couple of seconds.

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Introduction
The Feynman Technique is a method to learn, understand, and remember
better using 4 steps. It was designed by the renowned physicist Richard
Feynman.

Do you struggle to understand a topic? To make that worse, you can’t

remember what you read either.

If you face such problems, don’t worry. You’re not alone. I had similar issues
earlier before I learned about the Feynman Technique. In this book, I will
cover the 4 steps of the technique which will help you learn any topic faster
and understand better.

You might be wondering, “this sounds too good to be true.” But here’s the
deal. The method was not invented by any common man.

The method was devised by Richard Feynman, a theoretical physicist,

known as one of the best scientists in the world. The man was a genius. He
even won a Nobel prize in 1965 for his contribution to quantum
electrodynamics.

Not only did he have the ability to grasp and understand complex
information, but he also had the rare talent of breaking down sophisticated
concepts into a simple explanation. For this innate ability of his, Feynman
earned the nickname of “The Great Explainer.”

He has contributed to various topics in physics such as quantum mechanics,

quantum aerodynamics, superfluidity, particle physics, and more.

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When scientists were unable to explain particle physics with ease due to the
complexity of the concept. Feynman came up with diagrams which for the
first time that conveyed the information in an understandable fashion.

His diagrams helped many other scientists grasp the underlying theory.
Other scientists learned to track particle movements instead of remaining
stuck at the theory. Scientists consider those diagrams as one of the best
explanations of particle physics even today.

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What is the Feynman Technique?

Feynman technique is a way of learning better which helps anyone facing a

situation similar to those mentioned below:

• a student who has to study for an exam or certification

• a business professional who has to understand a topic

• a baker who has to remember the recipe for a cheesecake

• a mechanic who needs to remember how an automobile functions

In short, the Feynman technique serves as one of the useful self

learning techniques for every single person.

The process helps you solve any of the three common problems faced during
learning:

• Not able to understand the concept well enough

• Forgetting what you learned

• Failing to learn effectively

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How to apply the Feynman technique

You can apply the Feynman technique in 4 steps. Not only are these steps
simple to understand but also easy to follow. This integration works for any
field or expertise of study.

Step 1: Write down the topic to study

As the first step, write down the topic you want to learn on the top of a
sheet of paper.

If you are yet to learn the topic, proceed to study in your style. The technique
does not provide any special tactics to learn information when you are
reading it for the first time.

If you have already studied the topic, write down everything you know
about the subject. You do not have to write down the detail. Bullet points
on the topic will suffice.

Step 2: Teach the topic

Imagine teaching a student the topic you learned. Assume an invisible
student sitting in front of you waiting for your lessons with a notepad and a
pen. Play the role of a good teacher and teach your virtual student.

As an alternative, you can use a mirror to teach yourself too. Watching

you teach yourself will help you gain confidence and even make you a better
presenter.

Choose the teaching style which suits you best. Any approach works as long
as you teach.

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While you teach the topic, you will realize the gaps in your
knowledge. When you read through the information, your mind tricks you
into believing that you understood every inch of the subject. When teaching,
you face some hiccups on some parts of the topic. When that happens, note
it down because you stumble on what you do not know well enough.

For your brain, you are the easiest person to fool.

Step 3: Review what you do not know

Look at all the gaps in your understanding of the topic identified in the
previous step. Go back to the study material, re-read the parts you are
unclear about and brush up your knowledge.

Do not try to rush through the material. You will only fill the gaps halfway
leaving a smaller hole still pending to cover. When you teach the next time,
you will realize you do not know in-depth yet.

Put an effort to understand as much as possible. You might still need a

second or third revision, but at least the loop of returning to revise will reduce.

Knowing the gap helps you fit the missing pieces together into one jigsaw
puzzle. After reviewing what you missed while teaching, your knowledge on
the subject will no longer remain shaky as earlier.

Step 4: Explain the topic to a kid

As the final step, you must be capable of explaining the subject in the
most simple fashion. The best way to achieve simplicity is assuming
that you are teaching a kid. Since the little one does not have enough
knowledge in all areas, you are forced to break down the information using
simple language.

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Use simple words, real-life examples, easy to understand pictures or

relatable analogies.

Feynman used to say, “If I cannot explain in a simple way, the problem
lies in my understanding of the topic, not my teaching abilities.”

Besides, children love asking the question “Why?” You cannot state
facts to a kid and expect him to accept it. Most kids will ask you why. You
need to know your subject well enough to answer why. If you tell a child the
sky is blue, prepare yourself to answer the question, “Why is the sky blue
after all?” No, it is not because the sky reflects the color of the ocean.

If you want to understand a subject well, explain it in a plain vanilla flavor. If

you can, you have a good handle on the topic. If you cannot, grab your book
again.

Assuming you are teaching a kid is the best way to self teach, even if the kid
does not exist in reality. Here are some alternatives to teaching a kid:

• Teaching the topic to yourself in front of a mirror

• Finding a friend or your spouse who is willing to listen

• Going on a video chat with a buddy who has the time and the patience
to listen
• Teaching just about anywhere assuming there is a student

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Example of the Feynman Technique

Here is an example of learning why we make bad decisions when angry due
to the Amygdala Hijack. The guide below provides step by step guidelines
along with screenshots on how to self teach.

Step 1: Write down the topic

The human brain makes a decision using the sensory cortex. When you
receive any information, your thalamus sends it to the cortex for processing
followed by your brain taking the action. Such a flow takes time to complete
due to the processing involved.

But during danger, the brain has to act quickly. Such a state of the body is
called the flight or fight response, which requires quick action. Therefore, the
thalamus short cuts the decision to act fast. For increased speed, the brain
compromises on the quality of the action.

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Step 2: Teach the topic

Next, I stood in front of a mirror to teach the topic to myself. I decided to go
through each element little by little. The depth of the context was not
necessary, but I decided to go deep to test my understanding.

While I was teaching the topic, I fumbled in a few places. I realized I was
unaware of why and how the neocortex decides to take the shortcut. I did
not know what the amygdala does as a part of its normal routine either.

What was the trigger for the shortcut? Why couldn’t the neocortex take the
usual slow path? Why did the amygdala have to interfere only in this situation
but not always?

At that moment, I was at a point of knowing but not understanding.

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Step 3: Review what you do not know

I read through again and understood amygdala plays a key role in the
processing of emotions. The neocortex is responsible for processing logic. It
executes all the smart decisions but due to the processing involved, it needs
more time.

In life or death situations, the brain does not have enough time to dwell on
emotions because it chooses survival first.

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Also, human beings went through an evolution from reptiles, followed by

mammals. As a result, some parts of these brains remained as is to perform
basic body functions and keep us alive. During a flight or fight response, the
amygdala, a part of our primitive brain takes over to avert the danger as soon
as possible.

Step 4: Explain the topic in simple terms

I managed to explain the topic in a diagram that shows how the brain reacts
during anger or danger.

If I have to teach a kid I am a far better position to answer the “why’s” that
will pop up. Even if they don’t I can simplify the topic enough for a little child
to understand without knowing anything about the biology of the brain.

If you can’t explain it simply, you don’t understand it well enough

- Albert Einstein

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The two types of knowledge

Knowledge falls under two buckets - knowing something and understanding
something.

Feynman's technique helps you understand the reason behind the facts you
know. For example, you know that a stone dropped from the top of the
building will hit the floor. Understanding involves why does the stone move
downwards instead of going towards the sky.

You might laugh at the thought of a stone moving upwards. But can you
explain why the stone falls to the ground with an answer other than just
gravity? In space, the stone will float around. Why? Because space has no
gravity you say.

Yes, gravity is the reason behind the stone falling towards the earth or
floating in space, but do you know why? Saying that gravity causes the stone
to fall from the top of the building to the ground is knowing something.
Knowing how and why gravity causes the effect is understanding the topic.

Many a time, you and I assume knowing a topic as understanding. The

Feynman technique helps you learn a topic to great depths and retain it for
a long time. By teaching a concept in simple terms, you will realize your own
grasp of the topic and the problem areas you need to work on.

If you want to learn how to be good at studying, you must understand the
subtle difference between knowing and understanding.

I learned very early the difference between knowing the name of something
and knowing something.

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- Richard P. Feynman

How the Feynman Technique came into existence

Richard Feynman had cultivated a habit of deliberate learning, where he
used to connect what he knew with what he did not know. The scientist
decided to notch it up and improve the effectiveness of the process. So,
Feynman started writing down every topic that was important for him to know
which he had no knowledge about. He kept a notebook for the purpose. He
called it 'the notebook of things I do not know'.

Next, he started gaining expertise on the topics from the notebook and
started teaching them. During his teaching, he realized he understood the
topic better and learned more about what he did not know clearly.

From there, Feynman went on to frame a series of steps to increase his

understanding of the subject and the Feynman technique of learning was
born.

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Conclusion

Learning involves using your brain. What we know about the brain, for now,
is fairly limited. Reading a book for hours is not the best method to help your
brain understand. Our brain does not think linearly because it contains
billions of neurons.

Every action, decision, and thought involves multiple neurons firing into
action to make it possible. Therefore, teaching, reviewing and explaining in
simple terms brings a larger part of your brain into the act of learning. The
more creative you are with your learning, the better you will understand and
recall.

If you have always wondered how to learn something complex with ease, the
Feynman technique is your answer.

Keep learning, keep teaching and keep simplifying.

I would love to know your thoughts on how the Feynman technique worked
for you. I would be all ears to your feedback because I am eager to find ways
to improve. I will listen to negative comments with an open mind and make
an effort to fix your concern.

Drop me an email on maxim_dsouza@productiveclub.com. I look forward to

hearing from you.

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