Elon Musk on Learning New Things: Looking at Knowledge As a Tree
When you’re trying to learn something new, it can be easy to get frustrated. Elon Musk , CEO of SpaceX and Chief Product Architect for Tesla Motors, invites you to approach knowledge like a tree, not give up.
On AMA Reddit, Musk was asked how he learns so much in such short periods of time, and Musk suggested that people tend to underestimate themselves when they try to learn:
I think most people can learn a lot more than they think. They underestimate themselves by not trying.
One quick tip: It’s important to view knowledge as a kind of semantic tree – make sure you understand the fundamental principles, i.e. the trunk and the large branches, before you get to the leaves / details, otherwise they will have nothing to hold onto.
It may sound simple, but we tend to want to dive into the deep end before we learn to swim. Therefore, when you approach a new subject, identify the trunk and branches. Learn these things first, and it will be much easier for you to figure out the leaves and twigs.
I’m Elon Musk, CEO / CTO of the AMA rocket company | Reddit via Business Insider