The best way to approach physics as far as my experience is considered is to understand the basic idea that physics is the study of Nature. I call it "the mathematics of nature". Once you have this idea that physics is a study of nature using mathematical concepts to calculate magnitudes and directions as it relates the various interactions between forces, energy and matter in the universe, you may not need picking up a physics book before you begin doing physics. Physics is all around you. When you walk, you can observe your body changes position with time and the rate of this change varies from time to time. That's physics there. When you observe light and begin wondering it's nature and properties, that's the curiosity of a physicist pressing your mind. That curiosity ultimately drives you into applying mathematics, logic and much more than you bargained for initially. Remember take it step by step and fall in love with it. Don't be too hard on yourself. Recall you have all the time in the world, you are not tasked with rush associated with examinations and a need for a certificate, you are only interested in knowing nature in a scientific way.

Once you understand the basic idea of physics being nature, you can get books and drill into this very deep well. Bottom line is that any man can take the reverse of the step Poul Anderson took and be a brilliant physicist without a degree in physics. You just need some mathematics and some physics books and most importantly a patient look at nature. Good luck.

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