What makes a genius?

‘An invention is 10 percent inspiration and 90 percent perspiration’, said Thomas Alva Edison. He knew what he was talking about, for the famous American inventor was granted more than 1,000 patents during his life time. From his laboratories in New Jersey, Edison poured out a steady stream of invention that included the gramophone, the incandescent light bulb, the first electrical generating and distribution plant, the electric valve and talking motion pictures.

But even the most brilliant idea and the greatest creative act is normally preceded by an extensive process of collecting knowledge. Neither a dream nor an association alone will make a great work of art, a solid scientific theory or a labor saving technical innovation. Every writer, artist, scientist and engineer must first understand and know his or her field, which often means many years of toil, frustration and boredom.

Everyone who creates something new takes stock, both before and after the creative act, and orders their new ideas in the context of their particular line of work.

And yet, as all know, mental routine is not really enough to bring forth something brilliant. Most people find that routine stifles their creativity and blocks up the mind. If you don’t dismantle your mental blockages, remove your inner stumbling blocks and disregard the demands of routine, it is unlikely you will ever achieve anything out of the ordinary.