How Can We Be Geniuses?

How many hours have you wasted in front of your computer watching video after video on YouTube? If you’re like most people, you probably spend several hours a day endlessly clicking away in front of a screen.

That’s not good for your personal growth, is it? Isn’t it time to use your little grey cells and start harnessing one of life’s most powerful creations – the human brain?

Knowing how to become a genius isn’t that difficult. The hardest part is practicing the various methods to increase your intelligence. In fact, simply memorizing facts and figures is not enough. It requires insight, introspection and calmness.

Becoming a “genius” often starts with a different way of looking at learning and mastery. While some people may be born with certain talents, genius usually results from habits, mindset, and deliberate practice rather than innate ability. Here are some steps that can help cultivate genius-level skills:

1. Find Your Passion

Choose a Field You Love:

True genius often comes from deep interest. It’s easier to push limits in something you enjoy and are curious about.

Develop a Sense of Purpose:

Having a mission or reason can keep you focused and driven.

2. Embrace a Growth Mindset

Believe You Can Improve:

The brain is highly adaptable, and skills grow with effort. Embrace challenges as opportunities to expand your abilities.

Learn from Mistakes:

Geniuses often have a high tolerance for failure. View setbacks as valuable learning experiences.

3. Deliberate Practice

Focus on Skill Building:
Practice with specific goals to improve weak areas. Quality practice, not just time, is what makes a difference.

Seek Feedback:

Geniuses often actively seek constructive criticism to refine their abilities.

4. Study Broadly and Deeply

Master the Fundamentals:

Before innovating, focus on the basics. Deep understanding of the fundamentals is often a hallmark of expertise.

Connect the Dots:

Many geniuses excel by connecting ideas across disciplines. Don’t just focus on your field—learn from other subjects and perspectives.

5. Reflect and Innovate

Take Time to Think:

Set aside time to think, reflect, and wonder. Many breakthroughs come from daydreaming and contemplation.

Innovate Boldly:

Don’t just consume knowledge; try to create new ideas or approaches. Experimenting is how genius-level breakthroughs happen.

6. Prioritize Curiosity and Open-Mindedness

Ask Questions:

Curiosity is the foundation of innovation. Keep questioning why things are the way they are.

Stay Humble and Open:

Geniuses often realize how much there is still to learn. Embrace new ideas and remain open to change.

7. Practice Resilience

Stay Persistent:

Genius-level accomplishments are usually a long game. Expect frustrations and challenges, and cultivate resilience.

8. Build Mental and Physical Well-being

Take Care of Your Brain:

A healthy body supports a healthy mind. Sleep, exercise, and a balanced diet can enhance your cognitive abilities.

Manage Stress:

Genius often requires focus and creativity, which thrive when stress is low.
Genius is not only about intelligence; it’s a result of consistency, open-mindedness, resilience, and a passion for learning.

Do geniuses have good memory?

Yes, many geniuses are known for having excellent memory, but it’s not just about raw recall. Their memory is often enhanced by the way they organize, process, and relate information. Here’s how memory plays a role in genius and what we can learn from it:

1. Deep Understanding over Rote Memorization

Focus on Meaningful Connections:

Geniuses tend to remember information better because they understand it deeply and see connections between ideas. They link new information to concepts they already know, which strengthens memory.
Big Picture Thinking: Instead of just memorizing facts, they often focus on broader principles and systems, which helps them remember underlying patterns rather than isolated details.

2. Memory Techniques and Strategies

Mnemonics and Visualization:

Many people with exceptional memory use visualization techniques, mental images, or stories to reinforce information. For example, physicist Richard Feynman used vivid mental imagery to remember complex equations and physical phenomena.

Chunking:

Breaking information into “chunks” is common among people with high memory skills. They group related ideas, which helps them retrieve information faster. This is why chess grandmasters, for instance, remember entire chess games as patterns rather than individual moves.

3. Interest and Motivation

Memory for Things They Care About:

Geniuses often remember things related to their field of passion exceptionally well, because they’re highly engaged. Interest activates the brain in ways that enhance memory, creating a natural motivation to remember details.

Curiosity Fuels Memory:

Since geniuses are usually driven by curiosity, they engage deeply with the material, which creates a stronger memory trace. When we’re genuinely curious, the brain releases dopamine, which strengthens memory connections.

4. Continuous Practice and Repetition

Active Recall:

Geniuses often review and actively recall information, either through problem-solving or teaching. This “active recall” strengthens memory better than passive review.

Distributed Practice:

They often revisit information over time rather than cramming, a technique known as “spaced repetition,” which has been shown to improve long-term retention.

5. Working Memory and Focus

High Working Memory in Some Fields:

In areas like mathematics, music, or language, having a good working memory can help geniuses hold and manipulate information. This allows for mental juggling of complex ideas or multi-step calculations.

Intense Focus:

Many geniuses have strong attention control, allowing them to focus on tasks for extended periods without distractions. This focus helps them retain information because the brain remembers things better when it’s undistracted.

6. Metacognition

Self-Awareness of Their Memory:

Geniuses are often good at metacognition, meaning they understand their memory’s strengths and weaknesses. They know when they need to review something, when to focus on understanding deeper, and when to ask for help.

So, while good memory can be a part of genius, it’s not just about innate ability. The way geniuses process, connect, and engage with information tends to enhance their memory, making it a powerful tool rather than an isolated talent.
Anyone can improve memory by using similar strategies, especially through meaningful connections and active learning.