8 ways thinking like a physicist can change your life
The wisdom of chisoku
Hello everyone,
Postanly Weekly is a reader-supported smarter living newsletter. To support my work, you can upgrade to a paid subscription for $7 per month or $40 for an entire year. With a modest yearly contribution you’re not only helping keep Postanly Weekly going, you also get free access to Thinking Toolbox (mental models for life) and Mental Wealth Toolbox (practical concepts for smarter decisions). Christmas discount: 50% off today (get free instant access to Thinking Toolbox (mental models for life) and Mental Wealth Toolbox.
Use this special link or the button below.
How thinking like a physicist can change your life
Life is a game. The outcome is determined by how well we strategise and use our skills. But life isn’t always a fair game. Winning doesn’t have to be impossible, though. With the right mindset and ingenuity, anyone can succeed, even without luck or natural talent. You don’t necessarily need talent or luck to win the game of life. You can approach life’s challenges with the mindset of a physicist.
Physics teaches us to think in terms of cause and effect, which can help us make informed decisions and find ways to make the most of any situation. In other words, by taking a scientific approach to life, you can discover the knowledge necessary to win the game of life. Physicists are experts at solving complex problems by breaking them down into smaller, more manageable parts. They are renowned for their ability to use logical reasoning, deduction and experimentation to solve complex problems.
By applying these same principles to our lives, we can develop powerful insights, principles and mindsets to succeed in almost every area of life. Here’s the physicist’s approach to achieving success in life:
1. Break your problems into manageable parts
Just like physicists break down complex systems into smaller, more manageable parts, break down your life goals into smaller steps. It will help you avoid feeling overwhelmed and give you a clear roadmap for achieving success. Before you can start breaking down a problem into manageable parts, you must clearly define the problem.
The first step to solving any problem is understanding it.
Take some time to think about what’s troubling you and write it down in clear, concise terms. Once you clearly understand the problem, try to identify the key components that contribute to it. For example, if you’re struggling with time management, the key components might include your work schedule, your personal responsibilities, and your ability to prioritise.
Once you’ve broken the problem into manageable parts, prioritise them based on their importance and urgency. Focus on the most critical parts first, then move on to the less urgent components. For example, if you’re improving your time management, you might experiment with different scheduling methods to see what works best for you.
2. Experiment and observe
Physicists use experiments and observations to test their hypotheses and develop new theories. In life, experimentation is just as necessary.
“We are trying to prove ourselves wrong as quickly as possible because only in that way can we find progress,” says Richard P. Feynman, a famous theoretical physicist known for his work in the path integral formulation of quantum mechanics.
“All life is an experiment. The more experiments you make, the better,” Ralph Waldo Emerson said. Try new things and observe the results. Learn from your successes and failures and adjust your approach accordingly.
3. Leverage uncertainty
Embracing uncertainty is a vital part of the physicist’s mindset. Many unknowns and variables are often difficult or impossible to control in physics. Physicists have learned to work with these uncertainties and use them to their advantage.
Instead of being intimidated by the unknown, physicists often find it exciting and motivating. They recognise that there is always more to learn and discover, and they relish the challenge of exploring the unknown.
Physicists understand that uncertainty is a fundamental part of the universe. They embrace it and use it to their advantage. Similarly, in life, a natural and inevitable. Despite our best efforts to plan and control our circumstances, there will always be unknown factors and unexpected events that arise.
Uncertainty can be challenging and uncomfortable, but it can also provide opportunities for growth and learning. When faced with uncertainty, we can practice resilience, adaptability, and problem-solving skills. We can also learn to be more patient and accept situations beyond our control.
4. Use data and evidence to make informed decisions
Physicists rely on data and evidence to support their theories and hypotheses. In life, use data and evidence to inform your decision-making. Don’t rely solely on intuition or hearsay. Seek out facts and information to make informed choices. Designing a better life involves a complex and multifaceted process that requires careful consideration of various factors.
Data and evidence play an important role in this process by providing a solid foundation for making informed decisions. For example, one could use data to track your spending habits to identify areas where you can save money or monitor your sleep patterns to identify ways to improve your sleep quality.
Scientific studies have shown that regular exercise and a healthy diet can improve physical and mental health outcomes. By incorporating this evidence into your lifestyle choices, you can design a healthier and more fulfilling life.
5. Test your assumptions, beliefs and mental models
Physicists use data and experimentation to test their ideas and theories and are willing to revise or discard their assumptions in light of new evidence.
Apply this same approach to your life by questioning your own assumptions and beliefs. “The first principle is that you must not fool yourself and you are the easiest person to fool,” says Feynman.
Just as physicists rely on data to test their hypotheses, we can gather data daily to test our assumptions. For example, if we assume that we don’t have enough time to exercise, we could track our time usage for a week to see where we can carve out more time for physical activity.
6. Think long-term
In physics, many phenomena occur over long time scales, and physicists often have to consider the long-term implications of their work. Applying this mindset to our lives can help us make more thoughtful, informed decisions that benefit us over the long haul. When we set long-term goals, we can focus on what we want to achieve in the future and make decisions that move us closer to those goals.
By thinking ahead and anticipating potential challenges, we can prepare for the future and make proactive choices that will benefit us long-term.
When you embrace the long-term mindset, like a physicist, you can make decisions grounded in a deep understanding of your goals and values. That will benefit you over the long haul.
7. Focus on continuous improvement
Physicists always look for ways to improve their work and refine their understanding of the world.
Continuous improvement is a central tenet of the physicist’s mindset. There is always more to discover, and physicists are constantly working to refine their understanding of the world.
Applying this approach can help us grow, develop new skills, and achieve our goals. We can adopt this same mindset by focusing on continuous improvement in our lives and seeking opportunities for learning and growth.
To improve continuously, practice deliberately.
That means setting specific, challenging goals, seeking feedback, and improving specific skills or areas of knowledge.
8. Be curious, like a beginner
“Fullness of knowledge always means some understanding of the depths of our ignorance; and that is always conducive to humility and reverence,” says Robert Andrews Millikan, an experimental physicist honoured with the Nobel Prize for Physics in 1923. Physicists are known for their insatiable curiosity about the workings of the universe and their ability to use scientific methods to uncover its secrets. They are always asking questions, both big and small.
They seek to understand the fundamental principles governing the universe's behaviour and ask specific questions about how things work. To embrace curiosity like a physicist, explore new ideas to solve old problems. Read books or articles about topics you’re interested in, take up a new hobby, or try a new skill that can advance your life.
By taking a cue from the world’s most outstanding scientists, you can learn how to make the right decisions and take informed actions for a better life. You don’t need talent or luck to succeed in life; you need the right mindset. Thinking like a physicist can help you understand complex phenomena, identify patterns, and design a practical framework to gain an edge in life.
You’ll also learn how to make rational decisions, assess risks and rewards, and recognise opportunities for success. Thinking like a physicist can be a great way to master the game of life.
Food for thought
“In Buddhism we say Chisoku, which means “Be satisfied.” Knowing how much is enough is about finding satisfaction in what you already have. Human desire is endless. Once we acquire one thing, we desire ten of them. And when we acquire ten things, we want a hundred. Even though we know we don’t need it, we are unable to rein in our desire. Once engulfed by these feelings, there is no way to satisfy ourselves. There will be times when we want something we do need. There is nothing wrong with this. But once we acquire the minimum necessary amount, we must learn to tell ourselves, “Ah, this is enough for me.” — Zen Buddhist monk Shunmyo Masuno, The Art of Simple Living
A concept worth pondering
Scout Mindset
We tend to approach discourse with a "soldier mindset"; an intention to defend our own beliefs and defeat opponents'. A more useful approach is to adopt a "scout mindset"; an intention to explore and gather information.
“The best description of motivated reasoning I’ve ever seen comes from psychologist Tom Gilovich. When we want something to be true, he said, we ask ourselves, “Can I believe this?” searching for an excuse to accept it. When we don’t want something to be true, we instead ask ourselves, “Must I believe this?,” searching for an excuse to reject it.” — The Scout Mindset: The Perils of Defensive Thinking and How to Be Right More Often
Thoughts to ponder
Common causes of bad decisions:
1. Not asking, “what are the first and second order consequences”
2. The tendency to overlook broad patterns (blind spots).
3. Making assumptions and opinions based on limited data.
4. Conforming to expectations/authority/herd mentality.
5. Believe what you desire to be the only truth, regardless of reality.
Scott Adams: if you want an extraordinary life, you have two paths:
“Become the best at one specific thing.”
“Become very good (top 25%) at two or more things.”
“The first strategy is difficult to the point of near impossibility. Few people will ever play in the NBA or make a platinum album. I don’t recommend anyone even try. The second strategy is fairly easy. Everyone has at least a few areas in which they could be in the top 25% with some effort. In my case, I can draw better than most people, but I’m hardly an artist.”
Book summaries I recommend
Derek Sivers Book Notes: Derek has summarised over 200 of the best books on wealth, health, productivity and happiness. It’s an insightful collection.
Two more things
1. Meco: A new year, a new inbox
Read all your awesome newsletters on a single app. Your inbox wasn’t built for reading. Meco helps you move your newsletters to a space built for reading and declutter your reading experience in seconds. Get started with the newsletter aggregator built for reading. It’s Free.
2. > My personal growth newsletter recommendations
Check out our favourite picks → Topics covered: productivity, better living, self improvement, mastering skills for life and career growth.
Selected newsletters for life and career growth.
Thanks for reading!
Happy New Year!
Thomas
Medium | All Courses | The Write Life | Philosophy For Modern Life
Postanly Weekly is now a reader-supported publication. To support my work, you can upgrade to a paid subscription for $7 per month or $40 for an entire year. With a modest yearly contribution you’re not only helping keep Postanly Weekly going, you also get free access to Thinking Toolbox (mental models for life) and Mental Wealth Toolbox (practical concepts for smarter decisions).
Christmas discount: 50% off today (get free instant access to Thinking Toolbox (mental models for life) and Mental Wealth Toolbox.
Use this special link or the button below.
I knew right away that I needed to read the whole article.
I read your first sentence and knew I didn't care to listen further.