Genius Explained

For those of you who don't know me, I wax lyrical about a book by Angela Duckworth called "Grit". It is a book that has provided me with much encouragement and also solace in knowing that if you put enough "Grit" into your goals then you are most likely to achieve them. I found this knowledge particularly comforting when setting up my business, particularly at those times when self-doubt came knocking.

I mention "Grit" because the book "Genius Explained" provides even more information on the topic of success, which is sometimes guised as 'Genius'. Those mentioned and explained in the book include Charles Darwin, George Stephenson, Michael Faraday and Albert Einstein, to name a few. What I learnt was that each of these "geniuses" wasn't the result of an unexplainable gift or some magical luck, but that their careers and accolades were the result of Grit and dogged determination to succeed. So here's a précis of some of the points I took away from the book, in particular from Charles Darwin's life.

1) Don't expect everyone to support you and your goals

People may not be aware that Charles Darwin was completely underestimated by his family for most of his youth; they didn't think he was particularly capable as a scientist and had little understanding of his extensive research and knowledge as a naturalist, geologist and biologist. After completing his BA at Cambridge (without honours), Charles' father expected his son to join the Church and vehemently refused for Charles to join the Beagle for its world voyage. It was due to Charles' Uncle persuading his father that Charles was allowed to join the voyage, possibly the catalyst for his Theory of Evolution coming into being. Despite his own family having little support for his chosen passion, Charles was thoroughly committed to expanding his knowledge. He proved his family wrong through his unwavering dedication and commitment to his own passion.

2) Focus on being the best in your field, not on the financial goal

I run a lot of workshops with businesses and teach a lot about Resilience in the workplace. One thing I always teach is for people not to put their focus on the financial outcome of their work and instead strive to hone their craft, build the best network, and make every interaction count. The financial goal will then come to you. Darwin wasn't concentrating on achieving fame and fortune; he was passionate about his area of interest and did as much as he could to be a leader in his field.

3) Timing is everything

Darwin had to be careful about announcing his Theory of Evolution as it disagreed with the general consensus that the world was created in seven days. Bill Gross, CEO of Idealabs, researched start-ups and found that timing accounted for 42 percent of the difference between success and failure, more than team, execution or the idea itself. Darwin waited an astonishing 23 years before publishing his Theory of Evolution, knowing he would be thrust to the centre of the Religion vs Science debate.

Business, like Evolution, sees a Survival of the Fittest, so make sure you have the right tools in place to last; believe in yourself, commit to your goals and evolve.