A 7-Day Backstage Pass to a Genius Brain

Our journey starts with the foundational skill of a genius: learning how to learn. This book, by a child prodigy in two different fields, is the essential starting point for understanding the deep, universal principles of mastering any hard skill.

After learning the mindset of mastery from Josh Waitzkin, this book gives you the scientific method. It introduces 'deliberate practice,' the specific technique all experts use to get better. This is the 'how-to' guide for the principles you learned yesterday.

Now that you have the method of practice, you need the right attitude. This memoir of a Nobel-winning physicist is a masterclass in the power of relentless curiosity and playful irreverence—the emotional fuel for all brilliant thinking.

Building on Feynman's wide-ranging curiosity, this book makes a powerful case against over-specialization. It shows that many geniuses have broad interests, and that breakthrough thinking often comes from connecting diverse fields of knowledge.

After learning the power of 'range' yesterday, this book gives you a framework to connect those diverse ideas. Thinking in systems is a hallmark of genius—the ability to see the big picture and understand the hidden relationships that others miss.

With your new ability to see systems, you must now learn to see your own flaws. This book is a genius-level look at the cognitive biases that trip up even the smartest people. Understanding your own mind's weaknesses is a critical step to clear thinking.

For our finale, we learn that genius is often a team sport. After a week of honing your individual mind, this book from the co-founder of Pixar is a masterclass in how to build an environment where a group of smart people can do brilliant, creative work together.