Currently Viewing
Your Genius Adores Solitude
Share This Article
The greatest gift you can give your child, or your spouse, or your client, or your co-worker is the gift of the fullness of your attention. When you focus your presence and your energy and your attention on another human being, you make that person bigger.
You validate that person. One of the greatest gifts you can give another human being is the gift of pristine listening. If you're checking your phone, well, then again, you're taking your attention and you're leaving attention residue on your phone, which
means you have less attention for the conversation. And if you have less attention for the conversation, then you're not really listening to that person. And if you're not really
listening to that person, the deep place within them knows it and they're going to trust you less. And you're going to miss data that would allow you to serve your client or build the teammate or dominate your domain.
So, no phone conversations professionally and personally. Just turn off your phone, turn off your device before the meeting, and go all old school and have a real conversation. The best leaders are curious. You don't get that if you're worried about your incoming digital messages.
The second excellent habit that will allow you to beat digital distraction, construct your own Menlo Park. I'm a big fan of Thomas Edison. He's one of the greatest, if not, arguably, the greatest inventor in the history of humanity. I mean, over a thousand patents to his name, came up with amazing, amazing things. How did he do it? Isolation.
You can be out in the world, you can be a history-maker and a productive legend. You don't get to do both. One thing all great geniuses do is, they spend a lot of time in solitude. Solitude has a bad reputation in our society right now. We think if we're
not with the cool crowd, if we're not checking our devices, if we're not posting selfies or other images, we are losing out. We have all these fears. And here's what really happens.
As you start to play with your phone, as you start to get hooked on likes, as you start to spend most of your best hours of your greatest days, posting, checking, playing with apps, getting hooked, you actually become addicted. We all know about technological addiction. And it's literally a dopamine. Dopamine is the inspirational neurotransmitter. And every single time you check for a like, there's a shot of dopamine. And it becomes this addiction. Every single time you check for a like, the hook grows stronger. Every single time you pick up your phone, you build the neural pathway to check it even more often. Every single time you see that if someone's liking you, and is your following growing, you tap into that reward system that every human brain has. Because when we were tribal, thousands of years ago on the savanna, we wanted to be liked by the
people in our tribe. We wanted to follow the herd. And if we weren't being followed by the herd, we would stray from the herd and get eaten by saber-toothed tigers. We would starve or we would be captured by warring tribes. And now here it is in modern society, but we still have that neurobiological instinct, it's a part of who we are, to check for likes, so we fit into the crowd. Well, the true nature of a leader is you're not a follower, and so you absolutely have to do the inner work required to break that hook of being liked. I mean, that's what leadership is all about. That's what being a great artist is all about. That's what dominating your domain is all about. That's what changing
the world is all about. It's about saying, here's who I am. I have my own mission, my own vision, and I'm going to break free from the crowd. So, an addiction to distraction is the death of your creative production. Your phone is costing you your fortune. If you look at the great geniuses of the world, the Shakespeares and the Basquiats and the Beethovens, and the great chefs and the great titans of industry, and the great humanitarians, all great thinkers have one thing in common: They spent long periods of time away from diversions, distractions, trivial interruptions.
Latest Articles
Blog
The 5 Things Brilliant Leaders Do Differently
The finest leaders understand that their highest calling is not to create more followers—but to grow more leaders. They see leadership as a relay race: the measure of their greatness is how well they pass the baton. Research in Harvard Business Review confirms that organizations with “leader-makers” outperform those without them in both innovation and employee engagement.
Exceptional leaders are not threatened by talent; they are excited by it. They shine a bright light on the gifts of their people, bringing hidden genius into the open and helping others step into their own native and original leadership.
Second, as they live to what I emphasize in my leadership keynotes to the world’s best companies: brilliant leaders turn problems into possibilities and adversity into results.
Where victims surrender their power in difficult times, real leaders hold their ground and turn challenges into stepping stones.
According to the Harvard Business Review, reframing problems as opportunities increases creative solutions by up to 45%. Fascinating right?
The finest leaders use tough seasons as crucibles for growth, understanding that storms reveal strength, sharpen resilience, and clarify what truly matters.
I love the Mexican proverb that says: “They tried to bury us; they didn’t know we were seeds.”
Third, the greatest leaders are inspirationalists. They see what everyone sees but think what few dare to think. They disrupt outdated norms and are willing to endure criticism to attempt the impossible.
Their courage inspires teams to break free from mediocrity and aim for extraordinary results. They don’t just speak about vision—they embody it, showing what’s possible when conviction outweighs caution.
Fourth, great leaders move from being “busy being busy” to being monomaniacally focused on the few things that matter most. In a distracted world, they are disciplined executors. They choose depth over speed, completion over motion, and impact over appearance. They make the hard decisions to prioritize what truly moves the mission forward—and they inspire others to do the same.
Finally, brilliant leaders measure their worth not by personal gain, but by the value they deliver to others. They push our civilization forward by creating products, services, and ideas that make life richer, more humane, and more beautiful. They are legacy-driven—leaving behind a world that is better, stronger, and wiser because they lived.
Lead this way, and you’ll not only transform your organization—you’ll elevate everyone you touch. That’s the true work of leadership.
IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT: If you’re looking for one of the world’s best and most valuable masterminds to cause explosive growth to your business while you learn exactly how to make your personal life happier, healthier, more soulful and of more meaning, keep reading…
…I’m doing the final, last, never again edition of The Mogul Accelerator [TMA] — my premium program for serious entrepreneurs who want to build a domain dominant business while enjoying a life of deep purpose, rare-air adventure and overall health.
…It’s a one year process starting with a life changing 3 day live summit with me in London at The Mandarin Oriental on December 6th, 7th, and 8th 2025. This alone is worth your investment as you’ll learn insights, systems and tools that you won’t learn anywhere else and meet some of the most amazing people in the world. Sometimes a live event changes everything. This is that event.
…for the rest of the year you’ll be guided through an advanced, fun and super tactical online program as well as be transformed via 10 live sessions with me (on a monthly basis).
…expect to make superb gains in your business success, rewire your thinking and productivity, maximize your leadership, income and impact and have the best year you’ve ever had.
The places that remain in TMA are VERY limited and we’re headed to yet another completely sold-out event so you really should claim your spot right now so you’re not disappointed by not getting in. Get your spot here while you still can.
Again, this is my LAST TMA ever! Get your place here.
With respect and vast encouragement,
Robin
Blog
I want to be a rockstar
One of the curses that must be made into blessings, as a creative producer, is that of critical attack.
What I’m trying to say to you is that the very nature of pushing your mastery into the marketplace means that you’ll be guaranteed to face the arrows of people who don’t like what you do. And don’t understand what you’ve made.
If you listen to the critics and believe the comments of the naysayers, you’ll lose your confidence. And dim your game—retreating from your genius and surrendering to what’s average.
DO. NOT. ALLOW. THIS. EVER. Please.
Because when you present your brilliance to the world you do your part to make the world more brilliant.
I’ve faced the meanness of critics.
From those who said The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari was not worthy of publication when I first started out to the few who have said my new book The Wealth Money Can’t Buy is a work of zero talent (even though it’s currently at #1 on bestseller lists in 13 countries).
I pray you trust the silent whispers of the wisdom within you and produce what feels right, great and heroic to you. Yes, this is my prayer for you.
To not do so would be to betray the best of you. And to DENY all of us the wonders of your gifts.
Which brings me to the famed Canadian rock group Nickelback. They’ve sold tens of millions of albums, toured the world and topped the charts.
But they were often known as being the band people loved to hate.
In their documentary (called “Love to Hate”) frontman Chad Kroeger said something that I find to be profound. And worthy of your consideration…
“I write Nickelback songs for Nickelback fans.”
He suggested that he didn’t really care about the venom of the critics because his focus was to please the people who appreciated what he did.
Vibing off his insight, I must say that I write my books for my beloved readers. I’m not here to please all people because when you work to please all people you end up pleasing no people.
So, remember who you’re here to serve. Know who puts food on the family table and obsess upon the human beings who love what you do. And then go all in for them.
Give your heart and soul—via the mastery of your craft—for them. Underpromise and overdeliver for them. Respect them, encourage them, appreciate them and honor them. Their reply will be a lifetime of loyalty. And rewards you simply cannot put a price tag on.
Love,
Robin
Don't Miss Any of My Article
Robin Sharma's blog is one of the most widely read digital resources
New to Robin?
Robin is one of the top leadership experts in the world.
Claim Your Digital Copy of The World-Changer's Manifesto
Free for a Limited TimeOnly $19.99 Value
