Richard Feynman wasn’t just a Nobel Prize-winning physicist - he was one of history’s greatest learners and teachers. His technique for understanding complex topics is deceptively simple yet profoundly effective.

The Core Principle#

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

The Feynman Technique exposes the gaps in your knowledge by forcing you to teach what you think you know.

The Four Steps#

Step 1: Choose a Concept#

Write the concept at the top of a blank page. Be specific.

Step 2: Teach It to a Child#

Write out an explanation as if teaching a 12-year-old. Use:

  • Simple language
  • Short sentences
  • Common words
  • Concrete examples

Step 3: Identify Gaps#

When you struggle to explain something simply:

  • Note where you use jargon
  • Mark where you get stuck
  • Highlight vague explanations
  • Circle missing connections

These are your knowledge gaps.

Step 4: Simplify and Use Analogies#

  • Go back to source material
  • Fill the gaps
  • Create analogies that connect to everyday experiences
  • Refine your explanation until it flows naturally

Why It Works#

Forces Active Learning#

Reading and highlighting are passive. Explaining is active. You can’t hide behind memorized phrases when you have to teach.

Reveals Hidden Complexity#

Technical jargon often masks incomplete understanding. When forced to use simple words, you discover what you really know versus what you’re parroting.

Builds Neural Connections#

Creating analogies and simple explanations forces your brain to build new connections between concepts.

Real Example: Understanding Derivatives#

Poor Explanation (Jargon-Heavy): “A derivative represents the instantaneous rate of change of a function with respect to one of its variables.”

Feynman-Style Explanation: “Imagine you’re driving a car. Your speedometer shows how fast you’re going right now - that’s like a derivative. It tells you how quickly your position is changing at this exact moment. If you graphed your trip (time vs. distance), the derivative at any point would be your speed at that moment - how steep the curve is right there.”

Common Pitfalls#

Using Jargon as a Crutch#

Wrong: “Mitochondria undergo oxidative phosphorylation” Right: “Mitochondria are like tiny power plants in your cells that burn food to make energy packets your body can use”

Being Too Abstract#

Wrong: “Democracy is a system of governance by the people” Right: “Democracy is like a classroom where students vote on the rules instead of the teacher deciding everything”

Skipping the Gaps#

Don’t gloss over parts you don’t understand. The whole point is finding these gaps.

Advanced Applications#

For Professional Skills#

Use it for:

  • Programming concepts
  • Business strategies
  • Design principles
  • Engineering problems

For Personal Growth#

Apply to:

  • Emotional intelligence concepts
  • Relationship dynamics
  • Financial planning
  • Health and fitness principles

The Meta-Application#

I used the Feynman Technique to write this very post. I asked myself: “Can I explain the Feynman Technique as if to someone who’s never heard of it?” Every time I caught myself using educational jargon, I simplified.

Feynman’s Secret Weapon: Curiosity#

Feynman called himself “an ordinary person who studied hard.” His superpower wasn’t raw intelligence - it was relentless curiosity combined with the discipline to truly understand, not just memorize.

He would say: “Study hard what interests you the most in the most undisciplined, irreverent and original manner possible.”

Practical Exercise#

Try it now with something you think you know well:

  1. Pick a concept from your field
  2. Get a blank sheet of paper
  3. Spend 10 minutes explaining it simply
  4. Circle every piece of jargon
  5. Rewrite without the jargon

You’ll be surprised what you discover.

The Ultimate Test#

Can you explain your work to your grandmother? Can you make a child interested in your field? If not, you might not understand it as deeply as you think.

Resources#

  • “Surely You’re Joking, Mr. Feynman!” - Feynman’s autobiographical stories
  • The Feynman Lectures on Physics - See a master teacher at work
  • “The Pleasure of Finding Things Out” - Feynman on the joy of discovery

“I learned very early the difference between knowing the name of something and knowing something.” - Richard Feynman