Tapping Into Your Inner Genius

What is genius?

If we turn to our friend Merriam-Webster, we’ll learn that it’s “an exceptional natural capacity of intellect, especially as shown in creative and original work.”

Wow. Sounds pretty lofty.

Who’s a genius?

People like Albert Einstein and Stephen Hawking immediately come to mind, but some would argue there are flashes of genius in all of us. They come to light when we lose ourselves in our passion, be it basketball or basketweaving.

Today we’re taking a closer look at an excellent video series designed to help you tap into your inner genius: 30 Days of Genius by Chase Jarvis.

The Series

Chase Jarvis is an award-winning photographer, artist and entrepreneur. He also runs his own YouTube channel where he recently launched the 30 Days of Genius series.

In his words, the series is designed to help you “recognize your passions and achieve your goals...when you're in need of motivation or thinking of your next move.”

Sounds good to us, and the lineup is incredible. Jarvis enlisted a host of household names, from entrepreneur extraordinaire Mark Cuban to actor Adrian Grenier, to take part.

Here, we’re showcasing four of our favorite breakthrough moments of the series, which we think are particularly relevant for entrepreneurs.

Austin Kleon

We talked a bit about author Austin Kleon and his book, Steal Like an Artist, in this post. Kleon is all about helping his readers find their own “inner genius,” which he says can be done by emulating the master creatives you admire most.

In his 30 Days of Genius interview, Kleon says we can all tap into the genius within simply by showing up, day in and day out.

If you’re a writer, write every day. If you’re a photographer, shoot every day. Even when you don’t feel like it, show up and do it. Then, share your work with others, which is the catalyst for inspiration.

To watch Kleon’s full interview, click here.

Sir Richard Branson

When you think of Virgin Group founder Richard Branson, playing it safe is hardly the philosophy that comes to mind.

Branson has carved out his place in the entrepreneurial annals with stunts like dressing up in drag and flying around the world in a hot air balloon (which almost killed him, by the way).

But in this interview with Jarvis, we see a slightly different side of Branson—one where he advocates for mitigating the risk involved with your business.

Take big leaps, Branson says, but don’t risk everything. Some things, like your family, your health and your safety, should never be compromised in the name of winning.

To watch Branson’s full interview, click here.

Dr. Brene Brown

Scholar and author Dr. Brene Brown has long been an advocate for putting yourself out there. In her bestselling book, Daring Greatly, Brown explores how the act of being vulnerable can transform everything from your business to your love life.

In her 30 Days of Genius interview, Brown’s breakthrough moment comes when she discusses how we deal with disasters.

When something bad happens, she says, we feel backed into a corner and our emotions take charge. Logic and clear thinking go out the window, which is a major problem if you’re running a business.

Instead of letting your emotions snowball into your own personal soap opera, Brown advises us to recognize them and take them for exactly what they are: emotions. Only then can we move forward on our path to exposing our creative genius.

To watch Brown’s full interview, click here.

Seth Godin

Marketing expert and entrepreneur Seth Godin is no stranger to forward thinking. He’s written 17 books, two of which are bestsellers, and his blog was ranked the number one marketing blog in the world by AdAge.

In his interview with Jarvis, Godin explains what sets a true artist apart from the everyday painter or writer or creator. An artist, he argues, is someone who changes his audience, inspiring a shift in mindset or a new way of thinking with his work.

And that’s perhaps our most important point to consider from this entire series: are you an artist? Do you simply do the bare minimum required, or is there something deeper behind what you create? Will your work change people?

We highly recommend browsing the rest of the 30 Days of Genius Series. Once you do, come back and leave a comment letting us know which interview is your favorite.

Want more inspirational interviews and resources for running a successful, passion-driven business? Subscribe to our YouTube channel!

Additional Resources

The shutterbugs in the audience will love this behind-the-scenes video, which shows how the 30 Days of Genius series was brought to life from behind the camera.