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The Genius Licence

Guest post by: Gisela McKay

Article Overview: How to stop letting fear of other people's opinions prevent you from living your best life: come claim your Genius Licence.

The Genius Licence

I've realized that the single biggest gift in being "gifted" is this licence it gives you. From the minute someone decides you are a genius, in their eyes, you're allowed to be as weird as you like. And by "weird" I mean being absolutely true to yourself without second-guessing yourself or having anyone question what you are doing in the moment.

I think it may actually give you more licence to be eccentric than being obscenely rich does. (I'm looking forward to testing that theory.)

I think everyone needs to have this in their lives, so I am granting you a Genius Licence. Think of it like borrowing your cousin's licence to get in the bar, only different.

So the next time someone attempts to limit you by declaring their judgment, ask yourself these questions:

1. Do I know this person?

2. Does this person's opinion matter?

a) Am I ever going to see this person again?

b) Is this person in a position of financial authority over me?

c) Has this person kidnapped someone I love?

d) Is this person holding one or both of my cats hostage?

3. Will I be heartbroken if this person never forgives me?

If I answer most of the questions with a Yes, I consider not doing it. However, if the overall answer is No, I promptly continue on my merry way.

So, what are you going to use your Genius Licence for next? Want to take an improv class but worried that your coworkers will mock you? Have you been thinking about going back to school but your sister won't approve? Want to start a book club but afraid your friends will think you are uppity?

Why would you let someone else' limitations diminish your ability to create an interesting life for yourself?

Still not sold on the value of the Genius Licence? Here's a bonus exercise:

Go to a window or anywhere else you can see people from at least 10 feet away.

Look at the size of someone's head (preferably not someone who is looking at you, unless you are doing this exercise with a partner). I want you to truly think about the amount of space it takes up.

Now consider how much space it takes up relative to the volume of the room or area it is in. What percentage of the space does it occupy?

Now consider the percentage of the block of the street you are on that it would occupy.

Now consider the percentage of the city or the town you are in that it would occupy.

Pretty small, isn't it? And to think, you are giving weight and importance to one single thought inside of that tiny amount of space.

Seems strange to let something so small in the grand scheme of things change your behaviour, doesn't it?

So, go ahead: take your Genius Licence and go do something meaningful that you have been putting off.

Gisela

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Article Tags: be brilliant, courage, inspiration, living your best life



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Re: About: product production! - Kevin, When was the last time you were in a fight? Copying artwork is a crime. If you copyright or register a trademark for your work your case will be a slam dunk. Don't be afraid to go toe to toe with a thief. I have been amazed at how fast people will back off when they realize they are dealing with someone that understands their rights. True the patent office is nothing more than a place of registry and does not enforce the law. Times and attitudes change I recommend you watch "Flash of Genius" Fifty years ago if you said America will have a black President people would have laughed you out of the room
Where to print a book - [quote:39vg8s93]So, writing a chapter a day, I finished in a month, and Kidpreneur: Genius Ways for Kids to Pay For College was born. Currently my book is self published -- I just printed up 100 copies to give to all the people featured in the book, teachers, and some more to sell at $20.00 a piece (it costs $10.00 a copy at Kinko's, so it's not really an outrageous price). [/quote:39vg8s93] If at all possible, you need to stop using Kinko's now and go price some real printers. It should cost only a couple of dollars a piece, if that, to print your book. Admittedly you'll have to buy in bulk, but the overall savings - selling a $2 book for $20 so that you make an $18 profit instead of a measley $10.... is something every kidpreneur should think about!
Re: About: product production! - [quote="terrycan":9tqf6l92]Kevin, When was the last time you were in a fight? Copying artwork is a crime. If you copyright or register a trademark for your work your case will be a slam dunk. Don't be afraid to go toe to toe with a thief. I have been amazed at how fast people will back off when they realize they are dealing with someone that understands their rights. True the patent office is nothing more than a place of registry and does not enforce the law. Times and attitudes change I recommend you watch "Flash of Genius" Fifty years ago if you said America will have a black President people would have laughed you out of the room[/quote:9tqf6l92] All of this is new to me as far as patents etc goes, bit I have one question. If someone copies you patented item, but changes one or two details on it, can you still claim that they have stolen your patent? MichelleJ


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