Richard Feynman’s approach to learning is famous in some circles. What it amounts to is work. But work relies solely on the ability to focus. I recently ran across a useful definition for genius in Scott Young’s book, Ultra-Learning.

Genius: is the ability to focus intently over long periods of time.

It’s a paraphrase but the point is clear. We spend an inordinate amount of time speculating, practicing, and contriving ways to be more efficient, fast, better, in order to become better off financially. However, our ability to focus is slipping away.

The definition above puts many things into perspective. First, it reminds us that what we do is in most cases not important as how we do it. Secondly, it reminds that no matter what our goals or ambitions are they will always be determined by how we thing rather than what we think. Our greatest tool is our mind but we must be willing to use and perhaps nowadays, protect our minds.

Focus is a lifelong goal. Something that demands our time and is difficult. For those reason many will make excuses for their inability or unwillingness to do such “impractical” things. But for those of us who find value in learning we must remember:

A fool walks away in ignorance. A wise man simply walks away.