I have proven to myself many times that spending roughly 15 minutes a day learning a task can eventually turn you into an expert.

Einstein said it best:

If a person studies a subject for 15 minutes a day, in a year he will be an expert. In 5 years, he will be a national expert."

The Magic of 15 Minutes

One of the most notable ways I applied this concept is by learning German. I had just moved back to the United States from Germany. My language skills were good, but I had serious room for improvement.

Without knowing if I'd ever live in Germany again, I proceeded to work on the language for 15 minutes a day. After doing this for five years, I made it back to Germany.

I had become fluent!

Making Incremental Progress

At the heart of Einstein's method lies the principle of incremental progress. By committing to daily study sessions, learners experience a gradual accumulation of knowledge and skills

Each day builds upon the foundation laid from the day before, leading to growth over time. That's what happened to me with German!

Applying this to Other Goals

I have since applied this to other major goals, such as earning my MBA. Yes, it even worked for that! Focusing on the 15 minutes is comforting, and it prevents procrastination. I also tend to spend more than 15 minutes most days because this 15 minute goal impress focus.

Albert Einstein's timeless wisdom serves as a roadmap for those aspiring to master any subject. I have used this trick more than once, and it has become one of my favorite productivity hacks, especially for big goals!