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Regarding this topic, I thought of the statement used in Scotiabank’s marketing. “You’re richer than you think.” The concept is quite similar to the Genius Equation, too. You’re closer than you thought to revealing the genius that you are. I’ll explain why that is and what you can do about it.
What Is the Genius Equation?
If you’ve had anything to do with personal development, you might already know the Genius Equation. It’s stated in a well-known quote by Thomas Edison.
“Genius is one percent inspiration and ninety-nine percent perspiration.” – Thomas Edison
Or shown slightly differently, the equation perhaps becomes clearer:
Genius = 1% inspiration + 99% perspiration
Genius = 1% ideas/talents + 99% work/effort/action
The Genius Equation shows that genius is attainable and could be extremely common if correctly applied and acted upon. That’s where you enter the equation. This is where you can begin seeing what a genius you are. All that’s required is for you to show it. So, what’s involved?
1% Inspiration — You Gotta Start Somewhere
It’s not the ideas that matter the most. Ideas are only useful if they’re acted upon. Brainstorming sessions are great, but that can’t be all there is.
I’m sure you’ve got plenty of ideas already. It’s simply a matter of doing something with them and moving on to the next part of the equation, the part that makes all the difference.
It’s helpful to have ideas, and it’s also beneficial to remember that there is more to the Genius Equation. Geniuses aren’t known simply for their ideas. They’re known for their action. This brings us to:
99% Perspiration — You Gotta Go Somewhere
This is what separates the known geniuses from the hidden geniuses. You don’t have to hide anymore, and neither do I. There are methods available for organizing our ideas and making them happen.
One of those methods is The Action Method, described in “Making Ideas Happen” by Scott Belsky. In the book, Belsky explains that everything in life is a project and that each project only has three components: action steps, backburner items, and references.
Action steps are the tasks that you need to do. Backburner items are action steps that may be relevant later. You’ll have to review them periodically to see if they get to be moved into current action steps to take. References give the context for each project so you know your action steps.
Belsky goes into great detail about The Action Method, and you can discover it through the book “Making Ideas Happen.” That’s one resource I can recommend to help you get started and get going.
Your ideas are essential. Give them the life they deserve. The odds are that you’re looking to help humanity with whatever your ideas are, but you’ve got to put the effort in if you’re ever going to give your ideas a chance to survive and maybe even thrive.
It’s up to you to win. You’re the only one that’s in your own way.
Where Has Your Genius Been Hiding?
I’ve been thinking more about the Genius Equation lately, especially over the last two years. I was focusing more on the inspiration, the 1%, than on the perspiration, the 99%. I kept thinking, “For being only 1%, the inspiration must be powerful.” And I’ve wondered what inspiration could be for it to be such a driving force.
Inspiration is essential to look at. In “The Strangest Secret” audio from 1956, Earl Nightingale points out the importance of inspiration for achieving anything worthwhile. And he recommends some inspirational books to read, including The Bible, “Wake Up and Live” by Dorothea Brand, “The Magic of Believing” by Claude Bristol, and “Think and Grow Rich” by Napoleon Hill.
==> Click here to read my review of “The Strangest Secret.” <==
==> Click here to read my review of the “Wake Up and Live” book. <==
==> Click here to read my review of “The Magic of Believing” book. <==
Nightingale does know what he’s talking about, too. “The Strangest Secret” audio is considered the beginning of what has morphed into today’s personal development industry. Nightingale’s company, Nightingale Conant, is still a valuable part of that industry.
As great as inspiration is, the problem is that I was mainly staying stuck there. It doesn’t matter how many motivational videos you watch on YouTube or how much you meditate or whatever else you do for inspiration; what matters the most is the other 99% of the equation.
What are you doing to improve your life and the lives of others?
It’s the action that counts and makes all the difference. This is where you reveal your genius. And it is there, deep inside you. You’ve got to let it out.
Where has your genius been hiding? What activities have you been using to keep it tucked away? And what has given you clues about where your genius can appear?
Carefully consider these questions. If you have to, answer them before you continue reading.
If you had difficulty answering those questions, then ask a re-worded version of them to some people who know you. Their answers might surprise you.
At least then, you’ll know where to start revealing your genius if you didn’t know already.
Go ahead and show the world what a genius you are. Show yourself that you are bigger than you ever thought you could be.
You don’t need anybody’s permission other than your own to reveal what a genius you are. Showing who you are and then acting on it may be the greatest thing you ever do.
Conclusion
The best equations are simple and easy to understand; The Genius Equation is like that.
Genius = 1% inspiration + 99% perspiration
Genius = 1% ideas/talents + 99% work/effort/action
It shows clearly what’s required. Genius is inspiration and action. It’s ideas and effort. 1% of one, 99% of the other. This equation shows that anybody can be a genius. Anybody. Genius is attainable.
By taking action, you activate the power of the giant within you. The giant that you forgot about and locked away deep inside yourself.
Reveal to yourself and to the world that you are a genius. And that’s the beauty of it. You get to live from the reality of who you are. Not for ego or fame or glory. Simply because you care enough about yourself, everybody that you can impact, everybody that they can impact, and so on.
I’ve mentioned various resources you can look to for inspiration and to help you take action. You don’t have to go through everything all at once. A little at a time goes a long way. The importance is in developing your action muscles. A little more action each day makes your action muscles stronger. Small habits here and there add up to huge gains.
“Just as a master musician may cause the most beautiful strains of music to pour forth from the strings of a violin, so may you arouse the genius which lies asleep in your brain and cause it to drive you upward to whatever goal you wish to achieve.” – “Think and Grow Rich” by Napoleon Hill
Get to know yourself better. Ask yourself and ask those who care about you the following questions:
“Where has my genius been hiding? What activities have I been using to keep it tucked away? And what has given clues about where my genius can appear?”
The feedback you receive can inspire you, and you may discover some clear action steps from that. Remember to approach this from the mindset that every problem has a solution and that genius is attainable for you.
The actions that you start with don’t have to be huge. Sometimes, the simplest of actions are the most transformational. Get started and keep getting started each day. That’s all you can do, and that has to be enough.
Allow yourself to be pleasantly surprised at what you discover about yourself as you go on this journey of revealing your genius.
Remember: You’re Closer Than You Thought.
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Until next time,
James Barnett
