Rigor is the art and practice of remaining fixed on a method or a way of doing things. In politics, it means staying on message. In art, it means adhering to the core principles of that art. In science it means disciplined adherence to scientific method, without taking shortcuts. In team sports, it means executing the game plan.

The essence of genius is the ability to contribute to the whole by departing from established methods: to see what no one else has seen and act on it. Yet it is the genius’ mastery of the discipline that allows her to see beyond it. For example, Einstein understood the prevailing theories in physics of his time but was able to see beyond, transcend and transform them. A person becomes a genius by rigorously mastering the discipline first.