On Practice

Albert Einstein reportedly said "It's not that I'm so smart, it's just that I stay with problems longer." I think he was saying two things: one, that he loved math; and two, because of this, it was easy to keep working on the mathematical puzzles he encountered.

When you find something you love, it is easier to stay with the problems for longer. It is easier to get lost in the puzzles and enjoy the process of figuring it all out.

Another way of putting it is, when you find what you like to do, practice, practice, practice. Until you get good. Then practice some more.

That is not to say that it is easy. Just easier. It still takes learning. It still takes work. It still takes discipline and commitment. But these don't feel like burdens. They might feel urgent, but not burdensome. Because when you enjoy it, progress happens and then success happens.