In Every Work of Genius

In a world seemingly starved for innovation and creativity, there's no shortage of great ideas; our minds are unavoidably crowded to bursting with them. The shortage is in our ability, and perhaps in our courage, to assist them through to fruition.

It takes courage to presume that no person, prior to us, has had the thought that just sprung forth. In fact, some would suggest that it's arrogant to claim to have an original thought, given how many have gone before us. Yet, even old ideas are new again when placed within a different context. If your organization isn't using a tried and true idea, then there's value in getting them to look at ideas from the past with a new perspective.

Every negative thought, every question unvoiced, every objection to something new or unusual, is a self-erected defense against inner genius. It isn't that some have greatness thrust upon them while others are passed by the wayside; it's that some have stopped thrusting greatness aside, and embraced their own rebellious thoughts.

We can't not think; we're programmed for the task. It's hardwired and permanently installed inside us. Thoughts will out. Try it for yourself: Sit still for a moment and count slowly to five. Each time a thought -- any thought -- intrudes on the simple act of counting, drop back to one (especially thoughts of pride, like "I'm almost at five!"). Most of us never get to two. Like bees to flowers, raindrops to the ground, and rivers to the sea, thoughts are destined to assault us.

For a more childish example, I dare you not to think of thundering herds of black and yellow elephants. We can no more not think of bumblebee pachyderms than we can kill ourselves by holding our breath. Thinking, like breathing, is a symptom of life. Revel in it.

There is a need to filter our great ideas from the mumbling noise. Not every thought should be voiced, not every brain burst is worthy of our attention -- but in a flood of ideas some stand out and shine like stars. Any thought that starts "If only..." or "What if..." or even "Why don't they..." is a call to action, if only we'd recognize its value before it shuns our inattention and seeks another, more welcoming mind.

The title of this essay comes from Ralph Waldo Emerson's quote, "In every work of genius we recognize our own rejected thoughts." All of us, to our chagrin, have experienced the frustration of seeing one of our thoughts break into the market: flat wall plugs, heated windshield wipers for snow, shaped pillows for the weary traveler, and a thousand other missed opportunities. All of them common to all of us, born out of little frustrations and annoyances, and left hanging in the shadows of our mind, ignored and unloved. Ideas lost for the wanting.

Genius isn't about conceiving an idea; it's about giving birth to one, and nurturing it. It is about defending an idea from attack, and supporting it until it is ready to change the world.