The book "The Boy Who Could Fly, or The Path to Freedom" was originally written in Russian and published in the Soviet magazine Student Meridian. These editions enjoyed phenomenal popularity, with the magazine’s circulation reaching a record 1,100,000 copies in 1989. However, the knowledge contained in these publications did not achieve widespread dissemination and eventually got lost in the depths of the internet. Fortunately, I was able to rediscover this treasure and revive it.
For English readers, it's important to note that this book was originally written in Russian and is available online for free. However, it’s a significant body of work, and translating it was no small task. Using ChatGPT, I was able to translate it into English. If you're interested, I can share the translated version via a link. Additionally, ChatGPT can assist in explaining the main concepts from the book. The central idea revolves around talent: talent is not something inherent or inaccessible—it is a state of mind that anyone can achieve with the right approach.
The purpose of this chapter is to introduce you to the core ideas and simplify the formula for talent development as it was originally described. My goal here is to share how I understood this formula when I first encountered it and began applying it.
In the next chapters, I will refine and expand upon this foundation using my personal experiences and deeper insights. My aim is to help you understand how to apply these methods and principles to unlock your own talent and genius.
This is also my way of expressing gratitude to Viktor Klimenko and Igor Akimov for their visionary work. Their efforts, though rooted in a different time and language, hold universal truths that continue to inspire. This chapter sets the stage for your journey into the transformative power of talent as a state of mind. Thank you for joining me.
Just as a machine requires fuel, wires, and an engine to function, unlocking creative potential and achieving talent as a state of mind relies on developing three critical elements: mental energy, skills, and critical thinking. Each element plays a unique role, and they must work together as a cohesive system.
Mental energy is a characteristic of a developed mind. To build mental energy, you must complete projects. With each completed project, you gain experience and develop your mind. A well-developed mind enables you to tackle increasingly complex tasks with ease.
Imagine mental energy as a container. By completing projects, you expand this container, filling it with physical health and positive emotions. The larger the container, the more energy you can store, enabling you to learn, overcome challenges, and persist in your efforts even when results take time to manifest.
Mental energy allows us to wait patiently for results.
The first project is always the hardest, and it’s unlikely anyone will have the energy to create something extraordinary right away. However, by completing project after project, you accumulate mental energy that makes it easier to wait for results.
Illness can drain your energy, causing you to lose the motivation to create or move forward. You might lose the "state of talent" due to illness and depleted energy. However, once you recover, you may feel an urge to create again—that’s your energy seeking expression.
To build mental energy, you must complete projects. Think of completing projects as an exercise for your mind—it’s a practice that strengthens and develops your abilities. However, like any exercise, it must be done properly to be effective. This means there are specific principles to follow to ensure you're getting the most out of each project.
The most impactful growth happens when you work on projects that genuinely interest you and feel relevant to your goals. Even small shifts in how you choose your projects can lead to significant development over time. For me, everything changed when I started coming up with my own project ideas and selecting tasks that felt personal and meaningful.
That said, there are times when you’ll need to work on other people’s projects. In these cases, treat them as if they are your own. This approach is incredibly important—and while it may be difficult, it can be a game-changer in your personal growth. When you take ownership of a project, your mind operates differently. You engage more deeply, solve problems creatively, and grow faster and more effectively. This mindset of ownership is one of the most powerful tools for accelerating personal development.