Even Geniuses Work Hard

IT TAKES HARD WORK TO MAKE THINGS LOOK EASY
We are all drawn to people who performs things effortlessly — say the person who topped the board with little to no preparation, playing DotA on the side. People want results using the fastest and easiest way. Yet when we try to copy the moves, we find out it’s harder than it appears. Frustrated, one might say, “I just don’t have it.” Then gives up striving for greatness. But before saying some people are just “lucky” to be “geniuses” or “talented,” there’s a hidden side you should know.

Our brains are pattern-recognition machines. People good at something have gone through a process over and over, gathered enough reference patterns until they intuitively learn what to do and what not. Deliberate practice brings efficiency. Underneath, geniuses are way, way experienced. Unlike the beginner who’s moves are slow and stiff, people with lots of experience are fast and smooth. Getting results with little wasted energy, no extra movements — effortless.

EFFORTLESSNESS & POWER
Some people are good at hiding the process. Others unintentional, while some do it deliberately — like your classmate who enters unprepared then miraculously perfects the quiz. This move of masking effort invisible is called sprezzatura; termed by the 16th century courtier Baldassare Castiglione. The art of looking effortless — getting out-sized results while exposing little visible effort — is a technique used since ancient times. People use it for good reason: sprezzatura brings the allure of power.

Effortlessness is a powerful person’s move. A king waves his hand while his followers do the heavy lifting. A martial arts master throws a single punch and knocks his opponent unconscious. The big boss gives orders then plays golf afterwards. The art of sprezzatura, done right, can make an ordinary person big and powerful. Of course, we won’t tell you this when you ask us. But now that you know this secret, use it wisely.

GENIUSES ARE MADE, NOT BORN
No one is born with experience.

What separates the talented from the rest of us? Geniuses persisted through it all when it’s far easier to stop and settle for just-good-enough. Persistence is rare, and it’s worthy of everyone’s admiration.

The best books I’ve read made me see the world differently. I hope this post does the same to you.

Additional Reading:
The Making of an Expert (Harvard Business Review); The 48 Laws of Power (Robert Greene)

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I worked originally in biology. Biology is great, obviously, but also it trains people to think in a specific way which, I argue, is very useful right now.