How to use the force! and improve your Research
“The Force is what gives a Jedi his power. It’s an energy field created by all living things.”
— Obi-Wan Kenobi
Growing up with Star Wars was more than just watching a sci-fi saga unfold — it was a philosophical education wrapped in robes, lightsabers, and space battles. As someone who now works in research, I find myself continually drawing lessons from this epic universe. Yes, I’m a nerd — and proudly so. But there’s truth in the stories of the Jedi, and wisdom in the trials of the Sith.
What Star Wars gave us is not just entertainment. It gave us a framework to understand persistence, discipline, belief, and the value of failure — all core tenets of being a good researcher. In fact, when you look closely, the Force becomes a metaphor for knowledge, intuition, and the unexplainable drive to explore the unknown. And that, my friends, is science.
Here’s how the teachings of the Force helped shape not just my thinking, but my entire approach to research.
“Do or do not. There is no try.”
— Master Yoda
This quote from Yoda isn’t just legendary; it’s foundational. In research, hesitation and half-hearted effort won’t get you far. You either commit to exploring your question or you don’t. Research is not about trying in the casual sense — it’s about executing your ideas with full resolve.
When you have an idea, treat it with seriousness. Don’t delay. Start drafting that experiment, building that model, or diving into that dataset. It might not always be perfect, but unless you take it all the way, you’ll never know what it could have become. As Richard Feynman once said, “You do your experiment, you get your results, and you see what happens.”
At the same time, the inverse is also true: it’s okay to not pursue an idea if it derails your core mission. Some ideas may look brilliant but end up being distractions. Recognize that timing and alignment matter — not every good idea belongs to this moment. Choosing not to act is also a form of discipline.
“Trust the Force, Luke.”
— Obi-Wan Kenobi
Research is often lonely. You will have days when your simulations fail, your hypotheses collapse, or your advisors raise doubts. In those moments, belief becomes your anchor. Trust in your process. Trust in your vision. Trust in yourself.
Doubt corrodes momentum. That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t question your methods or be critical of your results — that’s part of science. But you must never doubt your ability to complete the journey. Research requires a stubborn kind of faith. Without it, you’ll stop halfway through and never get back on track.
Let the Force be a metaphor for that inner belief. It’s not mystical — it’s psychological resilience.
“No longer certain that one ever does win a war, I am.”
— Yoda
Research is not a neat path to victory. It’s a messy, chaotic war against ignorance, uncertainty, and your own limitations. Often, there is no grand prize — just a better question, a sharper insight, or a slightly improved result.
You won’t always feel like you’ve “won.” And that’s okay. The goal isn’t to win every time, but to learn. To persist. To chip away at the unknown with each attempt. And as in war, you will lose battles. Papers will be rejected. Experiments will fail. Collaborations may fall apart. But the war continues — and so must you.
“The greatest teacher, failure is.”
— Yoda
No lesson in science is complete without failure. In fact, failure is often more instructive than success. When something doesn’t work, you’re forced to understand why. That understanding deepens your expertise and strengthens your next effort.
Most breakthroughs are born from repeated failure — from Edison’s countless attempts to find a working filament to NASA’s aborted missions that taught us how not to die in space.
Take notes when you fall. Revisit your assumptions. Sharpen your methods. Failure is painful, but it is honest. And in research, honesty with oneself is everything.
“Your focus determines your reality.”
— Qui-Gon Jinn
This teaching from Qui-Gon Jinn resonates deeply. Focus is not about tunnel vision — it’s about clarity. The research world throws information at you like meteor storms: papers, datasets, citations, conferences, distractions. If you don’t establish priorities, you’ll be lost in the noise.
Defining your research question early — and revisiting it often — is key. Organize your work around it. Use tools, notes, and planning systems to keep track of where you’re headed. Focus doesn’t mean giving up on life either. It means learning when to say yes and when to say no — not just in your work, but in how you balance your time, health, and relationships.
Reality isn’t objective — it’s shaped by where you point your energy.
“Great, kid. Don’t get cocky.”
— Han Solo
Humility is a virtue rarely talked about in academia — but absolutely vital. When your models work or when your paper gets accepted, celebrate — but stay grounded.
Arrogance blinds you to constructive criticism. It shuts out interdisciplinary collaboration. It convinces you that your way is the only way. That’s dangerous. Instead, be open to new perspectives. Talk to researchers from different domains. They may offer solutions or challenges you never considered. Value their insights, even if they challenge your ego.
Confidence is good. Cockiness is a liability.
“You can’t stop change any more than you can stop the suns from setting.”
— Shmi Skywalker
Change is inevitable in research. New tools emerge. Old theories are replaced. Funding dries up. Personal lives shift. The sooner you make peace with change, the smoother your path becomes.
Don’t resist the changing tide. Learn new frameworks. Accept new methods. Adapt your questions. Let go of outdated habits. A good researcher is not just curious — they are fluid. Use change as your teacher, not your enemy.
“The dark side is a path to many abilities some consider to be unnatural.”
— Palpatine
Let’s talk about AI. It’s the most powerful tool researchers have today — and like the dark side, it’s tempting. It promises speed, precision, and insight. But don’t let it replace your thinking. Let it augment your mind.
AI can analyze, summarize, and optimize. But it cannot create meaning, or understand the why behind a problem. That’s your job. Use AI tools — but don’t become dependent. Remember, what makes a good researcher is not the code they run, but the questions they ask.
The dark side has its uses — just don’t lose your soul to it.
“Patience, my young Padawan.”
— Obi-Wan Kenobi
Perhaps the most underrated quality in research is patience. We live in a world of instant results and rapid rewards — but research doesn’t play by those rules. Good science takes time. A lot of it.
You may spend months debugging, reading, writing, revising. And still not get a clear result. But patience will take you further than talent. It will carry you through dry spells, reviewer comments, and code crashes. Let it become your constant companion.
“This is the way.”
— The Mandalorian Creed
If there’s one takeaway, it’s this: research is not just a profession. It’s a way. A way of asking, of wondering, of growing. A way of being curious, humble, resilient, and daring.
The Force — as I see it — is the drive to uncover truth, the connection we share with ideas, and the light that pulls us out of confusion. And through these Star Wars teachings, I’ve found a deeper, richer philosophy for navigating the hardest — and most rewarding — parts of my work.
So keep learning. Keep failing. Keep questioning.
With training, a Jedi Master you may yet be.
“The Force will be with you! Always!”
— Obi-Wan Kenobi