Some of my greatest accomplishments seemed almost effortless when they happened.
Some people call it "Flow" while others call it "Being-In-The-Zone". You've probably experienced the same thing.
Genius may be related to that. As I think of it, some of my best ideas seemingly came to me fully-formed.
For example, in 2003 I had a breakthrough discovery resulting in an algorithm now used in a series of trading systems. Leading up to that point, I had spent quite a long time thinking about every little aspect in detail; and the progress had come slowly and painfully. Then, whoosh, it's like the whole thing came all at once. I say (and I believe) that it came to me, through me, and from me. But I still don't know how or why it happened. It is almost like I was television
or radio receiver that somehow got turned into a channel broadcasting something worthwhile.
Since then, I've tried to re-create the environment, my work process, anything to bring back that feeling of inspiration, innovation and progress. And I have had moments like that from time-to-time.
The Ted Talk Video on Genius:
This video is about the process I described above. It is about "Genius" and whether it's something you "Have" or something you "Are".
While this video does not provide answers, hopefully it will stimulate a thought process and provoke some ideas and discussions that you find helpful and enjoyable. I know it did for me.
Here is the direct link.
Elizabeth Gilbert, the author of Eat, Pray, Love, muses on the impossible things we expect from artists and geniuses -- and shares the idea that, instead of the rare person "being" a genius, all of us "have" a genius.
Also, here's a link to a website that lists the daily routines and work process that various famous people have used. I found some interesting things there.
