Learn like Einstein: How to Train Your Brain, Develop Expertise, Learn More in Less Time, and Become a Human Sponge

By Peter Hollins

Wish you could learn and memorize more in less time? Stay focused, quit being frustrated, and absorb info like a human sponge?
If you’re looking to (1) accelerate your learning abilities, (2) improve your memory instantly, (3) pick up new skills efficiently, and (4) fly through material and ace tests – the answers are right in front of you.
Step by step methods and habits to train your brain.
Learn Like Einstein is your scientifically proven field guide on using your brain to its fullest potential like Albert Einstein. This is NOT a boring textbook full of generic tips like “manage your time better and don’t cram at the last minute.” There are specific and actionable tactics to address every aspect of your learning – from memorizing, reading faster, absorbing more, and focusing better.
Become an expert and decipher complexities rapidly.
Peter Hollins has studied psychology and peak human performance for over a dozen years. This book represents the scientifically proven methods he has used to become an expert in multiple domains.
Learn faster and save your valuable time.
•Develop bulletproof focus and concentration.
•Why your current notes are sabotaging your learning.
•Why some people learn by hearing, doing, music, or moving.
•How to rehearse and practice to achieve expertise in record time.
Rediscover your life with laser sharp focus and mental clarity.
Learning to learn is one of the most valuable skills you will ever possess because it unlocks everything you want in life. Imagine learning any skill, hobby, or passion in just days versus months, and becoming good enough to make money with it.
Imagine remembering important dates and appointments, and breezing through tests with less studying time than anyone. What could you accomplish if you could guarantee being able to learn and perfect it? Success in business, personal satisfaction, better relationships and friendships, and overall: creating the life you want.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Publishdrive
• Release date: Apr 21, 2023
• ISBN: 9798391612513

Peter Hollins

Pete Hollins is a bestselling author and human psychology and behavior researcher. He is a dedicated student of the human condition. He possesses a BS and MA in psychology, and has worked with dozens of people from all walks of life. After working in private practice for years, he has turned his sights to writing and applying his years of education to help people improve their lives from the inside out. He enjoys hiking with his family, drinking craft beers, and attempting to paint. He is based in Seattle, Washington. To learn more about Hollins and his work, visit PeteHollins.com.

Book preview

Table of Contents

CHAPTER 1: CURIOSITY IS THE KEY AND HOW TO REMAIN FOCUSED

CURIOSITY UNLOCKS EVERYTTHING

DIGGING DEEP FOR INTRINSIC MOTIVATION

THE ONE LAW OF FOCUS

Chapter Takeaways

CHAPTER 2: BUILDING AN AUTONOMOUS MIND: PARADOXES AND PROTÉGÉS

HOW TO ADOPT THE PARADOX MINDSET

USING THE EINSTEIN DISTRACTION INDEX

WHAT IS THE THE PROTÉGÉ EFFECT?

Chapter Takeaways

CHAPTER 3: THE POWER OF THOUGHTS – THE WORLD WITHIN YOUR HEAD

THOUGHT WALKING

PLAY WITH THOUGHT EXPERIMENTS

IMAGE STREAMING

Chapter Takeaways

CHAPTER 4: THE ART OF LEARNING: FAILING, SOLVING PROBLEMS, AND READING LIKE EINSTEIN

HOW TO FAIL LIKE A SCIENTIST

SOLVE PROBLEMS LIKE EINSTEIN

BECOME A VORACIOUS READER

Chapter Takeaways

SUMMARY GUIDE

CHAPTER 1: CURIOSITY IS THE KEY AND HOW TO REMAIN FOCUSED

Einstein is one of the most celebrated scientists, thinkers, and philosophers of all time. His scientific achievements are nothing short of remarkable, but individuals may be wondering, why should it matter to them? What people don’t realize is that many of his observations about learning are relevant in daily life even today. Learn Like Einstein brings to life the legendary Einstein's many insights into problem-solving, exploring a broad range of topics from curiosity and focus to goal-setting and risk-taking.

In this book, individuals will have an opportunity to unleash their inner Einstein by unearthing their own learning style through practical guidelines, self-reflection, and thought-provoking ideas. All this knowledge is accessible for readers of all ages to explore and become more creative thinkers. This book is akin to a beloved best friend for everyone who wants to maximize their efficiency while devouring complex material with confidence.

Curiosity is a vital asset for lifelong learners. It serves as an innate motivator that encourages people to go above and beyond, playing an integral role in the active pursuit of knowledge and ideas. From the insatiable inquiries of a three-year-old toddler to the intricate theories of world-renowned scientists like Einstein, it is curiosity that drives investigation, allowing people to perceive phenomena from different angles and understand how they are interconnected.

This chapter is going to be all about engaging with this intrinsic motivation, pursuing instinctual inclinations toward new topics and concepts by narrowing one’s focus on no more than a few key objectives, and pushing oneself with dogged determination toward these goals. Individuals can develop skills that allow them to embrace challenges with optimism.

CURIOSITY UNLOCKS EVERYTTHING

Albert Einstein revolutionized the way we view the world, yet he did not consider himself especially gifted. Instead, he believed in the power of imagination over knowledge and credited his success to his immense curiosity. The desire to understand things outside his realm produced a relentless pursuit of answers, questions, and ideas that ultimately shaped mankind’s current understanding of science. So, what is curiosity, why should it be valued, and how does it fuel mankind’s imagination to become better, more vigorous learners?

Curiosity can be defined as the desire to learn or know more about something. It is a powerful motivator for exploration, discovery, and learning, and it is a fundamental part of human nature. When people are curious about something, they are driven to seek out new information, to ask questions, and to explore the world around them. This process of exploration and discovery is essential for learning and personal growth, and it is what fuels mankind's imagination to become better and more vigorous learners (Grossnickle, 2016).

Furthermore, curiosity can help people develop a growth mindset (Purdy, 2020). A growth mindset is the belief that people can continuously learn and improve themselves, no matter their skillset or knowledge base (Dweck, 2016). It's based on the idea that hard work and effort can be used to overcome difficulties and failure, helping people grow as individuals.

Those with a growth mindset embrace their curiosity and don't fear failure; instead, they see it as an important part of the learning process. In his childhood, Einstein was considered to be a complete failure. He did not learn to talk until he was four years old, and at the age of sixteen, he failed the admission test to the Swiss Federal Polytechnic School in Zurich (later the Eidgenössische Technische Hochschule ETH). But he never gave up on trying to make sense of the universe, so if he didn’t, why should anyone?

By embracing natural curiosity and seeking out new knowledge and experiences, people can become better, more vigorous learners and ultimately lead more fulfilling lives. One real-life example of curiosity driving innovation is the story of Marie Curie. Marie Curie was a physicist and chemist who is famous for her work on radioactivity. Her curiosity and drive to understand the world around her led her to become one of the most influential scientists of the twentieth century. She was the first woman to win a Nobel Prize and the first person to win two Nobel Prizes in different fields of science (Jardins, 2011).

Curie's work on radioactivity paved the way for the development of nuclear physics and led to many important discoveries in the fields of medicine and energy. Her curiosity and dedication to science drove her to seek out new knowledge and to push the boundaries of what was known at the time. In this way, Curie's curiosity fueled her imagination and allowed her to become a better, more vigorous learner. Her legacy continues to inspire scientists and learners around the world to pursue their curiosity and to explore the unknown.

From the above example, it’s palpable that a curious mind is an inquisitive one—constantly seeking new knowledge, questioning existing assumptions, and finding innovative solutions to problems. Curious people are often risk-takers and can think outside the box, all necessary skills for navigating life's puzzles, both big and small. Albert Einstein understood this well and placed a premium on curiosity. He postulated: "I have no special talent. I am only passionately curious." True to his words, he unlocked many mysteries and revolutionized how people understand physics, proving again that being inquisitive pays off!

Albert Einstein famously emphasized the importance of curiosity in learning, noting that it was the precursor to imagination and creative processes. This sentiment is well supported by the fact that all his revolutionary discoveries were driven by an insatiable interest and passion to understand more of what was unknown.

From theories on light and time to questioning the basics of quantum mechanics, Einstein's expansive knowledge was motivated by a thirst for knowledge and an enthusiasm to delve deeper into new realms. His findings make it clear that there exists a positive correlation between curious pondering and meaningful discovery. Therefore, curiosity undoubtedly remains essential for progress in thought and exploration today (Stagl, 1995).

Einstein believed that knowledge was finite but not static, meaning that it could be expanded and deepened over time through the discovery of new information and the development of new ideas. However, he also recognized that ignorance was infinite, meaning that there would always be more to learn and discover. This belief motivated him to continually seek out new knowledge and to question his own assumptions and beliefs in order to deepen his understanding of the world around him.

Put simply, Einstein believed that expressing one’s ignorance and asking questions was the key to unlocking new knowledge and discoveries. By acknowledging what one doesn't know, one can motivate themselves to seek out the answers to their questions and to explore the unknown.

Einstein's view of knowledge and ignorance highlights the importance of curiosity and questioning in the pursuit of knowledge and understanding. By embracing ignorance and asking questions, people can continually expand their understanding of the world around them and make important contributions to the benefit of humanity.

He believed that curiosity and a willingness to question the status quo were essential for scientific and intellectual progress. Einstein's emphasis on curiosity and questioning was a rejection of dogma and blind adherence to tradition or authority. Therefore, by challenging assumptions and exploring new ideas, people could discover new truths and make important advances in science, technology, and society.

In essence, Einstein was urging people to embrace a spirit of intellectual curiosity and open-mindedness. He believed that this approach to learning and discovery was not only essential for scientific progress but also for personal growth and fulfillment. But how does one showcase this intellectual curiosity?

By being interested in the world around them and asking questions, people can deepen their understanding of themselves and the world they live in. They can discover new ideas and solutions to problems and contribute to the greater good of humanity.

When it comes to unlocking one’s potential for great new ideas, it’s all about learning how to ask the right questions. Warren Berger, co-founder of The Marmaduke Writing Factory, investigated some of the world’s best designers and found one major common factor: They asked smart questions and lots of them. Asking good questions can lead to fascinating ideas and developments, a prime example being Polaroid photography.

Creator Edwin Land was inspired by a question his four-year-old daughter posed when she asked why pictures took so long to be developed, and this question eventually led him to discover what we now know as instant Polaroid photography. Asking better questions will open up our minds to amazing possibilities, both in design and beyond!

Let's look at an example of how asking better questions can improve an individual’s curiosity and lead to new insights and discoveries. Suppose a person is interested in learning more about climate change and its impact on the environment. They might start by asking a basic question such as What is climate change? But to deepen their understanding and spark their curiosity, they need to ask more specific and targeted questions.

For example, they might ask: what are the main causes of climate change? How is climate change affecting different regions of the world? What can be done to reduce the impact of climate change? How