New Year Plan!

Watching children grow is a fascinating experience. As I observe my son grow up, I often find myself missing earlier stages of his childhood—his laughter, his innocence, his little quirks that once defined him. Yet, it’s equally exciting to witness new facets of his personality emerge as he grows older. With time, however, their focus shifts more toward studies, and unknowingly, guiding them through this journey becomes one of our greatest responsibilities.

I often remind my son that studying is about gaining knowledge, not just preparing for exams. But I also understand that exams are important milestones to be cleared. Helping him balance conceptual understanding with exam preparation has been one of our greatest challenges.

To address this, we stumbled upon a simple yet powerful strategy. Before reading any chapter, we first go through the questions at the end. This small change worked wonders. When my son begins reading with those questions in mind, he can focus more effectively and find answers readily within the text. The words haven’t changed, but his approach has—he now reads with purpose, scanning the material with a sharper focus.

This experience reminded me of the incredible physicist Richard Feynman. Known for his groundbreaking discoveries in theoretical physics and quantum mechanics, which earned him the Nobel Prize in 1965, Feynman’s life was much more than just science. He taught physics in Brazil, became a skilled bongo and conga drummer, traveled the world to explore different cultures, and even played a crucial role in investigating the Challenger space shuttle disaster. Along the way, he wrote several books that continue to inspire generations.

People often wondered how Feynman managed to do so much in life—how he balanced his passions, hobbies, and scientific pursuits. His answer, revealed in an interview, was both simple and deep: he always carried a dozen questions in his mind. These weren’t demands for immediate answers. They were just there, waiting. Whenever he encountered something new—be it an idea, an experience, or a conversation—he tested it against those questions. And sometimes, he’d find answers just because he was prepared with the right questions.

This insight resonated deeply with me. Feynman’s approach mirrors something universal: we all have questions, and we all have recurring problems. Life has a way of repeating patterns. Some of us may find ourselves overwhelmed by work and responsibilities, caught in cycles of burnout. Others may repeatedly struggle with financial decisions, relationships, or personal goals. And yet, what if life is presenting us with solutions all along? What if the answers are there, but we fail to see them because we aren’t ready with the right questions?

I believe this is worth experimenting with. When I feel troubled, overwhelmed, or lost, I plan to articulate my problem and write down a clear question to accompany it. Then, I’ll carry that question with me—in my mind and heart. I’ll remain open to solutions that life might offer, whether through a conversation, a book, a passing observation, or even a quiet moment of reflection. Perhaps, like Feynman, I’ll begin to notice answers more readily when I’m equipped with the questions.

This is how I plan to navigate the coming year, carrying questions in my mind and waiting for the answers offered by life, finding solutions, learning something new, and making the journey fulfilling. How do you plan your new year to be?

– Amit.