Powerful ideas from top nonfiction
Try Blinkist to get the key ideas from 7,500+ bestselling nonfiction titles and podcasts. Listen or read in just 15 minutes.
Start your free trial
Blink 3 of 8 - The 5 AM Club
by Robin Sharma
Listen to the Intro
The Hidden Habits of Genius summary
Craig Wright
Beyond Talent, IQ, and Grit – Unlocking the Secrets of Greatness
21 mins
Brief summary
The book 'The Hidden Habits of Genius' by Craig Wright explores the common habits and behaviors of famous geniuses. It offers insights on how anyone can cultivate these habits to unlock their own potential for creativity and innovation.
Table of Contents
The Hidden Habits of Genius
Summary of 6 key ideas
Audio & text in the Blinkist app
Key idea 1 of 6
Look at the world through the eyes of a child
There are few Halloween villains more familiar than Dr. Frankenstein’s famous monster – but did you know that his creator, Mary Shelley, was only 19 years old when she finished writing her iconic novel?
In fact, she actually began work on the novel Frankenstein when she was just 18. After making a bet with her soon-to-be husband, poet Percy Shelley, and his friend Lord Byron about which of them could create the scariest story, the idea for the book suddenly seized her – and like that, a literary classic was born.
There’s no denying that writing Frankenstein as a teenager is evidence of Mary Shelley’s genius – but maybe we’re wrong to look at Mary Shelley’s age as an obstacle she overcame. Maybe the fact that she wrote when her childhood wasn’t far behind her actually proved to be an advantage.
The key message here is: Look at the world through the eyes of a child.
Whereas Mary Shelley produced her finest work as a teenager, another genius, the artist Pablo Picasso, produced masterpieces even as he grew old. Unlike Shelley, Picasso isn’t primarily remembered for just one youthful creation – but that doesn’t mean that he can’t teach us something about the value of a childlike point of view.
As a child, Picasso was mentored by his artist father, whose teaching helped the young Picasso to produce astounding and technically brilliant works of art from an early age. But there was a problem.
For all his paintings’ precision, they still lacked something key: real creativity and innovation – exactly what we mean when we use the word “genius.” So how did Picasso break out of the mold his father had set for him and begin painting in the daring way we’re familiar with today? It’s simple: he embraced a kind of childishness.
Picasso himself said, “It takes a lot of time to become young.” The great artist had to learn how to channel childlike impulses in his art, and began experimenting with bold lines, cartoonish figures, and daring colors.
So maybe we should think twice before encouraging children to grow up. As the examples of Mary Shelley and Picasso prove, a fresh, young, and somewhat childlike view of the world is often closer to genius than a grown-up perspective.
Want to see all full key ideas from The Hidden Habits of Genius?
Key ideas in The Hidden Habits of Genius
More knowledge in less time
Read or listen
Get the key ideas from nonfiction bestsellers in minutes, not hours.
Find your next read
Get book lists curated by experts and personalized recommendations.
Shortcasts New
We’ve teamed up with podcast creators to bring you key insights from podcasts.
What is The Hidden Habits of Genius about?
The Hidden Habits of Genius (2020) is a guide to the traits that set geniuses apart from the rest of us. Drawing on the lives of extraordinary creatives, thinkers, and disruptors from ancient Greece to modern Japan, it traces the factors that make up the complex and fascinating phenomenon that we call “genius.”
The Hidden Habits of Genius Review
The Hidden Habits of Genius (2021) by Craig Wright uncovers the secret habits that have propelled geniuses throughout history. Here's why this book is definitely worth reading:
- Packed with fascinating insights and real-life examples, it provides a deep understanding of the unique habits that drive extraordinary achievements.
- By identifying the common patterns and practices of geniuses, the book offers actionable strategies for unlocking our own potential and enhancing creativity.
- With its engaging storytelling and surprising revelations, it transforms the topic of genius into a captivating exploration of human potential.
Who should read The Hidden Habits of Genius?
- Embryonic geniuses who want to reach their full potential
- Students of human nature wondering what makes a genius tick
- All those looking to boost their creative abilities
Categories with The Hidden Habits of Genius
Book summaries like The Hidden Habits of Genius
People ❤️ Blinkist
Sven O.
It's highly addictive to get core insights on personally relevant topics without repetition or triviality. Added to that the apps ability to suggest kindred interests opens up a foundation of knowledge.
Thi Viet Quynh N.
Great app. Good selection of book summaries you can read or listen to while commuting. Instead of scrolling through your social media news feed, this is a much better way to spend your spare time in my opinion.
Jonathan A.
Life changing. The concept of being able to grasp a book's main point in such a short time truly opens multiple opportunities to grow every area of your life at a faster rate.
Renee D.
Great app. Addicting. Perfect for wait times, morning coffee, evening before bed. Extremely well written, thorough, easy to use.
People also liked these summaries
Breaking The Habit of Being Yourself
Joe Dispenza
How to Lose Your Mind and Create a New One
16 min
4.5
The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People
Stephen R. Covey
Powerful Lessons in Personal Change
23 min
4.6
4.7 Stars
Average ratings on iOS and Google Play
35 Million
Downloads on all platforms
10+ years
Experience igniting personal growth
The Hidden Habits of Genius FAQs
What is the main message of The Hidden Habits of Genius?
The main message of The Hidden Habits of Genius is understanding the unique habits that geniuses possess.
How long does it take to read The Hidden Habits of Genius?
The reading time for The Hidden Habits of Genius varies depending on the reader's speed, but it typically takes several hours. The Blinkist summary, however, can be read in just 15 minutes.
Is The Hidden Habits of Genius a good book? Is it worth reading?
The Hidden Habits of Genius is worth reading for anyone interested in uncovering the secrets of geniuses. It offers fascinating insights and practical takeaways.
Who is the author of The Hidden Habits of Genius?
The author of The Hidden Habits of Genius is Craig Wright.
What to read after The Hidden Habits of Genius?
If you're wondering what to read next after The Hidden Habits of Genius, here are some recommendations we suggest:
- SuperLife by Darin Olien
- Hyperfocus by Chris Bailey
- Manage Your Day-To-Day by 99U and Jocelyn K. Glei
- Great Thinkers by The School of Life
- The Science of Getting Rich by Wallace D. Wattles
- How Not to Die by Michael Greger and Gene Stone
- The Science of Living by Stuart Farrimond
- The Success Principles by Jack Canfield
- Simple Truths of Leadership Playbook by Ken Blanchard & Randy Conley
- The Upside of Your Dark Side by Todd Kashdan and Robert Biswas-Diener