Bill Gates codes programs on a sheet of paper that he will later punch into the computer; Feynman scribbles equations describing a spinning plate (related to his Nobel Prize) in the school cafeteria; Sherlock Holmes; The guy working out in the garage vs. at equinox; XKCD uses stick figures to express complex points; David Goggins; MacGyver. No fancy equipment needed. Just a burning obsession.
You may be thinking: But I’m not a billionaire, Nobel Laureate, or Savant. Heck, I’m not particularly obsessed with anything.
You might start by taking as inspiration that the structure of your brain is virtually identical to those mentioned above. These were not Gods, but very fallible humans.
Obsession is a dinghy in high wind. You are alone in the cockpit. No land in sight. Perhaps you find yourself flailing, overwhelmed, ducking for cover as sails thrash around you. That’s a stressful place to be. But take comfort that the basic levers, ropes and pulleys are all there.
Feel the chaotic wind. Experiment and learn to harness it into controlled motion. Trust that if you put in the work, eventually you will have full wind in your sails. Then you can draw up arrows on a map and set sail with force. Control the ship first. Navigate later. Fancy tools come last.
Making Principles