57 Quotes by Barbara Oakley

This is precisely why one significant mistake students sometimes make in learning math and science is jumping into the water before they learn to swim.

Learning is often paradoxical. The very thing we need in order to learn impedes our ability to learn. We need to focus intently to be able to solve problems – yet that focus can also block us from accessing the fresh approach we may need. Success is important, but critically, so is failure. Persistence is key – but misplaced persistence causes needless frustration.

The harder you push your brain to come up with something creative, the less creative your ideas will be.

It’s important to transform distant deadlines into daily ones. Attack them bit by bit. Big tasks need to be translated into smaller ones that show up on your daily task list. The only way to walk a journey of a thousand miles is to take one step at a time.

Also remember that the better you get at something, the more enjoyable it can become.

Tomorrow is another day, we rather hope it will be better but better it won’t be unless self-foibles are examined.

Welcome to the psychiatric hotline: if you are obsessive compulsive press one repeatedly. If you are schizophrenic listen closely and a little voice will tell you which number to press. If you have borderline personality disorder hang up; you have already pushed everybody’s buttons.

A Mind for Numbers is an excellent book about how to approach mathematics, science, or any realm where problem solving plays a prominent role.

Persistence is often more important than intelligence. Approaching material with a goal of learning it on your own gives you a unique path to mastery.