There are many ways to classify a genius.

But if you look at the historical figures whom most people would consider geniuses, such as Albert Einstein, Leonardo Da Vinci, and Beethoven, you can see one thing they all share in common: they were all able to think in a way different from the mainstream, and thus made connections that no one else did. Based on that pattern, this article will address some of the ways you can think like a genius.

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Become a knowledge glutton. Read, listen, observe, and remember. The more information you can store in your mind, the more connections you can make. That does not necessarily mean you should spend most of your time reading! You can take an active approach to learning no matter what you are doing. Anyone can watch a cartoon and be none the wiser. A genius can watch a cartoon and think about what kind of animation is used, how the characters are developed, how the plot relates to real life, why the cartoon is popular, and practically write a dissertation discussing various facets of that single cartoon!

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When you learn something new, try to apply it and connect it to what you already know. You will remember the information better and you might come up with a new idea. For example, if somebody shows you a new kind of jam, think about how it would taste on your favorite type of sandwich. If you're trying to learn a language, use what you have learned to write or say new sentences that aren't in the book.

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Learn about Bloom's Taxonomy. Bloom's Taxonomy is a breakdown of the six levels of thinking, from the lowest level to the highest. Can you challenge yourself to think about everything in your life at the deepest level?

Knowledge: Accepting and believing a fact. Knowing 2 + 2 = 4, doesn't mean you know what 2 + 2 = 4 means.

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Application: Knowing how to use the fact. You can determine that 2 cats plus 2 cats equals 4 cats. You don't know what 2 + 2 = 4 means, but you can apply it. Comprehension: Understanding a fact: You understand the concept of addition and how 2 + 2 = 4. Analysis: Breaking down information into its parts. 4 - 2 =2 ; (1 + 1) + (1 + 1) = 2 + 2 = 4 Synthesis: Creating something new. (2 + 2) + (2 + 2) = 4 + 4 Evaluation: Discussion of the merits of 2 + 2 = 4.

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Learn how you learn. Different people learn differently. Major ways of learning include seeing, hearing, talking, listening, touching, manipulating, reading, interpreting ideas and writing. Feel free to doodle, talk out loud, or touch and play with the item you're thinking about. Any of these activities can help facilitate your thought process. See How to Make the Most of Your Learning Style

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Embrace change, uncertainty, and doubt. It is on these edges of knowledge that innovation and discovery happen. Question conventional wisdom. Most people will violently oppose challenges to "conventional" wisdom. They will ignore facts that challenge their beliefs. Geniuses think critically. They do not ignore facts, even when they conflict with conventional wisdom. Below are some examples.

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People once believed the world was flat. Eratosthenes (400 B.C.) showed it was round. Ptolemy's view of the solar system held sway for 2000 years. Galileo was forced to recant his view that the Sun was at the center.

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Be prolific. Try for quantity before quality. To produce exceptionally good work, do a lot of whatever you're doing. It increases your chances for success and it means you will get more practice along the way. It also takes the pressure off, knowing that while an effort may be your first, it will likely not be your last. Most geniuses in history, whatever they were doing, did a LOT of it, and not all of it was genius!

There is a theory that to become a "master" in any subject, you need 10,000 hours of practice. Professional orchestra players, computer programmers all demonstrate this idea. (Citation: Malcom Gladwell's book Outliers, 2009, but see also Creativity: Genius and other Myths, Weisberg, 1986)

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Think differently. You are different. You think differently. Every kind of genius IS different and individual. And every kind of opinion (even if it sounds completely stupid) has something true. If you are the first with anything you are ALWAYS called an idiot by someone. And if your idea is successfull you are called a genius. Being a genius depends on societys view.

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If people who are older call you stupid or so think about it. But it does not have to mean that they are right. You have only another point of view. You do not see the things they see with their life experience. But you are not influenced. Everyone is a genius in some kind because everyone is individual.

Edit Tips
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Read about geniuses, especially in the field(s) that interest you. What made Richard Feynman great? What about Thomas Edison?

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Do not read only about geniuses, but also read what geniuses wrote, so that you can see how they were thinking. Always search for primary sources. Learn to take suggestions and criticisms in a positive way. Many things can be learned from intelligent people if you listen to them. Don't "act" like you're smart; Showing off is not so much of a good thing unless you really know what you're doing. Do not boast on what you achieve. Think forward not back because there is nothing you can do if you do think backwards, except to see what failures you have committed.

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Featured Article Last edited: March 13, 2011 by Mdotley Categories: Featured Articles | Thinking Skills Recent edits by: Meg, Oliver, Mike Massaroli (see all)