Albert Einstein said, “Everybody is a genius.”
The man considered the epitome of genius said that. Which got me thinking about this quality or state of being we call genius.
gen·ius
– a natural ability or capacity; strong inclination: Synonyms: gift, talent, aptitude, faculty, endowment, predilection; penchant, knack, bent, flair, wizardry
So yeah, I’m with Einstein on this one.
Everybody is a genius.
You. Me. Everybody.
Right here, right now. Your gifts, your superpowers, your genius. Yours and yours alone.
Are you willing to declare what your genius is?
I’ll start. . .
My genius is the ability to call bull shit on your someday thinking, rattling your cage such that you can no longer stand it and find yourself compelled to take action.
Your turn. . .
Start thinking about it right now, so that by the time you get to the end of the post you’ll be able to declare it in the comments.
And to get you fired up about your genius even more, a few inspiring words from our pal Albert.
14 Quotes to Fire Up Your Genius
“Insanity is doing the same thing, over and over again, expecting different results.”
Oh yeah baby, I’ve been quoting this one for years! Over and over, we take the same damn actions expecting not only different results but a transformation of epic proportions. Yeah, good luck with that.
Want new results in life? You’ve got to say and do new things. Not rocket science (sorry Albert).
“There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle.”
It’s all about your perspective and you’ll find evidence for whatever it is you believe and then look for. So why not look for the miracle? Start here with the bright spots.
“If you can’t explain it to a six year old, you don’t understand it yourself.”
Ever notice how complicated you make things? Don’t hide behind professional jargon and mumbo jumbo. Say it cleanly and clearly. Notice how good that feels in your body. Bonus – it will feel that good to your perfect people and attract them to you like flies to honey!
“Reality is merely an illusion, albeit a very persistent one.”
Look, if Einstein says your stories are made up, you’ve finally got to take notice! Let me say it again. . .your stories are all made up. They’ve persisted throughout your life because you keep telling them.
Cut it out. And write yourself a new story.
“I have no special talents. I am only passionately curious.”
I know you’ve often thought there’s nothing special about you. I don’t agree, but that’s not the point. The point is it’s time to get curious. You were born curious and then it was conditioned out of you.
Fuck that. Bring on the questions and wonder and curiousity that has children be so fully alive they don’t want to go to bed at night.
Bring it on NOW!
“You never fail until you stop trying.”
Imagine you’re about a year old. So cute, right? First you roll around on the floor, then you crawl. Eventually, you get up and take your first step. Bam! On the floor in seconds. You get up over and over and over. . .until one day you take your first walk into your mama’s arms.
You know what to do. Keep doing it and don’t give up.
“The best way to cheer yourself is to cheer somebody else up.”
OK, this one’s short and sweet. . .
Get your head outta your ass and go make a difference for someone else! That is the best way to get back to the essence of who you are.
“In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity.”
Holy truth blast Einstein! This is so true it hurts. Who cares if it’s hard? Quit whining about what you can’t do and take one action on what you can do.
Your dreams deserve this level of commitment. Opportunities will follow.
“It is not that I’m so smart. But I stay with the questions much longer.”
Oh how I love this quote. This is license to continue moving forward. You can stop comparing yourself to others who seem smarter, wiser, more experienced than you. They’ve just stuck with their questions longer.
Uninspired? Ask a new question.
Stuck in a rut? Ask another question.
See how this works???
“I never think of the future – it comes soon enough.”
Well, that just blew your someday thinking outta the water, didn’t it?
Thanks Albert!
“The important thing is not to stop questioning. Curiosity has its own reason for existing.”
Back to the questions! Gotta love how Einstein stuck with a good thing yeah?!
Never, never, never stop asking questions. They are the life-force of existence.
“Genius is 1% talent and 99% percent hard work.”
Why does hard work get such a bad rap? I guess it’s much easier to blame your rut on lack of talent than own up to your inertia.
Just do the work and you can’t help but produce results. Any results are better than waiting for that someday when the planets align and you finally, maybe will take a chance.
“I’d rather be an optimist and a fool than a pessimist and right.”
This can be paraphrased by Wayne Dyer’s belief that you can be right or you can be happy. The thing to get here is that it’s a choice. Every single time you choose being right over being happy you lose.
Add up enough ‘rights’ and you’ll end up with a life devoid of love and fulfillment. Sad but true.
“The tragedy of life is what dies inside a man while he lives.”
Imagine your funeral. . .now consider it’s not death you fear. It’s that you’ll die with your someday dreams intact partnered with an unacceptable dose of regrets.
If you’re reading this there’s still time to make a difference in your own life. That life you most desire in your heart of hearts is possible.
Just take a chance on your genius and let it lead you forward.
Love this post Sandi!!!! I especially loved the quote: “In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity.” My genius is teaching others how to embrace & enjoy life even when it’s messy. In order to do that, you need to find the opportunity or “golden nugget” in the mess!
Oh my God Randi, your genius is so needed!!! Cuz life is messy, and yet we stumble around in some fantasy that someday when it’s not messy…THEN I’ll take action on my dream. Doesn’t work that way and your work will help people see that!!!
Oh my God Randi, your genius is so needed!!! Cuz life is messy, and yet we stumble around in some fantasy that someday when it’s not messy…THEN I’ll take action on my dream. Doesn’t work that way and your work will help people see that!!!
Wonderful!
This one is just perfect: “The important thing is not to stop questioning. Curiosity has its own reason for existing.”
One of the things I constantly promote over at the Studio is to constantly ask, it’s what really drives powerful conversations and beautiful lessons. 🙂
Wait, is that another hat I wear?
@EnsoJourney I think you’re now the Chief Question Officer Alex! Questions always drive powerful conversations. That’s why I love coaching so much 🙂
My favourite Einstein quote: http://pinterest.com/pin/83809243035479185/
Do not worry about your difficulties in Mathematics. I can assure you mine are still greater.
My favourite Einstein quote: http://pinterest.com/pin/83809243035479185/
Do not worry about your difficulties in Mathematics. I can assure you mine are still greater.
@icecolbeveridge Ha, saw that one but couldn’t figure out a way to work it into the post. Cuz I’m all maths shy you know 😉
@Sandi Amorim I always understood it as something along the lines of “don’t worry if you’re struggling, we all do that, even the experts.”
(I thought the 99% perspiration one was Edison, though…)
@icecolbeveridge Hmm, could be and that does sound vaguely familiar. But it was on the Einstein page when I Googled. Damn! 🙂
“Genius is 1% talent and 99% percent hard work.”
I take a lot of comfort from that one. I can’t clearly articulate what my genius is, but I’m certain it’s connected to my ability to see and do the work.
@Peter Crowell That genius is priceless!
@Peter Crowell That genius is priceless!
I *love* quotes…they remind me of what others are capable of and have accomplished and that we are all in “this” together.
My genius is: I am able to find the beauty, love, peace, joy, magic of a moment and reflect that to you in your setting, regardless of external..and then to apply gratitude to grow it. Life truly is as magical as we allow it to be:)
And, your energy is amazing, something about this re-ignited a spark within…love that!
@Joy Holland , that is beautiful! Love your genius!
@LynnHess Thank you. It took me quite some time to own it and then create and share it..but it is a beautiful gift to have and gratitude guides me in all ♥
@Joy Holland Love your genius Joy and can only imagine how awesome it is for people fortunate to work with you!
@Joy Holland Love your genius Joy and can only imagine how awesome it is for people fortunate to work with you!
I love the quote about explaining things to a six year old. Maybe because as a Nana I have had to do that more than a few times lately. I love the other ones too.
My genius is the ability to put people at ease. This gives them the comfort to reveal where they need support.
@Joanna Saunders Imagine a world at ease…
Starting with one person at a time, that’s where your work is Joanna. xoS
I am a quote freak, so I had seen some of these before…but I had NEVER seen “I’d rather be an optimist and a fool than a pessimist and right.” I LOVE that! It basically sums up the theme of my life! When I was younger I was so concerned about not believing anything that wasn’t “true” or trusting too much and ending up feeling like a sucker that I missed so much happiness and magic. My life changed completely when I decided that I was going to live as a happy optimist with trust and faith whether it was “true” that life is on our side or not. (Which reminds me of one of my other favorite quotes: “The most important decision we make is whether we believe we live in a friendly or hostile universe.” — also Einstein! He was so cool — he was such a genius in so many different ways.)
As far as MY genius….hmmmm…..I have what I think is the pretty rare ability to step out of the story (mine and other people’s) and observe what’s going on objectively, apart from the emotions and drama — and to find the gifts in the difficulties. In other words, I can reframe the hell out of anything (quite literally!).
@LynnHess Wow! And as a writer imagine the difference your genius will make for countless folks and businesses!
And I’m with you on the Einstein crush 😉
@LynnHess I came from a family that didn’t believe there ever was any water in the glass, and if there were, it was probably poisoned. Met my hubby who is super-shiny-positive and instantly labeled him a sucker.
Well…one day when I was telling him he was a fool, he looked at me and said that he realized not everyone had the best of intentions, but instead of dwelling on that, he was choosing to be happy. Floored me. And I noticed how much happier he was. At that point I went on a quest to become more positive because I wanted me some o’ that! Not as far in rainbow unicorn land as he is, but I’m a whole lot happier now!
Sandi, you are on fire with this post! You lifted the lid and let it rip. By the way, I think you have another genius that just has to be said — especially after the Einstein quotes you selected — you are a genius at posing the questions that are going to make your people grow like the proverbial weed.
My genius is polishing your personal and professional star until you are shining your light more brilliantly on the world and loving yourself and your life more passionately than you ever thought possible.
@Carol Hess Ah well, like Einstein, I have a soft spot in my heart for questions and curiousity!
And just for a moment, I want you to imagine a world where your genius wasn’t shared (like a world without Einstein)…
That’s the impact that we all have to get so we stop getting in the way of our greatness.
@Carol Hess Ah well, like Einstein, I have a soft spot in my heart for questions and curiousity!
And just for a moment, I want you to imagine a world where your genius wasn’t shared (like a world without Einstein)…
That’s the impact that we all have to get so we stop getting in the way of our greatness.
@Carol Hess I’ll second that emotion. That’s a true genius quality in our Sandi!
My genius is to hug the hearts of all who cross my path. To stroke their souls and leave them feeling loved, powerful, ALIVE. My genius is my truth, which is to connect and embrace. Me. You. Us. As we are. For who we are. As we walk, and run, and soar together. When we’re ready. When we must. When we’re free.
@otitiovuewhorie “As we walk, and run, and soar together.”
I suddenly have this vision of the future and I like it!
Aren’t you tired of hearing about my genius by now? She is devoted to showing everyone the power of Beauty, the power of small, the gateway to the Infinite and true bliss through intimate details. I’m here to show you this. Again and again and again.
Thank you for another fabulous post, Sandi!
I NEVER get tired of hearing about and from your genius!!!
My genius? I have laser-beam vision to see where people are stuck, call bullshit on their excuses, and help them find their voice and power. BOO-YAH!
My genius? I have laser-beam vision to see where people are stuck, call bullshit on their excuses, and help them find their voice and power. BOO-YAH!
@Ellen Berg Oh yeah, sister from another mother…this is SO your genius!!! BooYah Baby!
My genius is to intuitively create safe spaces filled with love and compassion that shine light on fear and inspire others to be and do all the can be and do. Do be do be do. 😉
@Sabrina at MyMiBoSo Love it! Now imagine the next 10 years sharing your genius and helping people with theirs 🙂
@Sandi Amorim I just got chills I’m so excited!!!
🙂 Right now my genius is being here on your site! Oh yeah – my genius is 100% positive thinking and spreading positivity, being there for my friends and family. Because in life, there are no strangers. Only friends we haven’t met. Yet. 🙂 Loving this post!
@Vidya Sury “Only friends we haven’t met. Yet.”
Love that Vidya and welcome! I think we’ve crossed paths in lorigosselin ‘s amazing community but I’m delighted to see you here.
Keep on spreading that joy and positivity! It’s contagious 🙂
My genius lies in writing comments with invisible ink.
@TheJackB Ha! Your genius lies in writing with intelligence, wit and humour. Own up buddy!
My genius is to entertain, inform AND inspire with my words, to get people laughing while they are getting inspired to find their OWN genius.
@saraho Love the laughing part! So much easier to learn and make changes when we can see the humour and playfulness in life!
My genius is in noticing and honoring what other people have to offer, asking questions, and distilling blah-blah-blah into a well articulated summary. 🙂 (Quite a bit like your genius, but I have not developed your signature cage-rattling skills.)