If you possess these traits, you could share the intelligence of geniuses like Bill Gates or Leonardo da Vinci

What if becoming a genius had less to do with your IQ score and more to do with knowing when to hit pause?

That’s the argument made by British neuroscientist Joseph Jebelli, who specializes in mental health. According to Jebelli, raw intelligence isn’t the defining trait of “superintelligence.” Instead, it’s the ability to step back, rest, and give your brain the space it needs to create.

Why rest fuels creativity

For decades, society has celebrated IQ as the ultimate marker of human potential. But Jebelli says science tells a different story. Recent research suggests that when your brain isn’t focused on a specific task, it doesn’t shut down—it switches gears.

In these moments, the brain activates what scientists call the default mode network, a system that sparks new connections, reorganizes information, and generates fresh insights. Far from wasted time, this mental downtime can be the birthplace of innovation.

The power—and risk—of solitude

Some of history’s brightest minds relied on solitude to fuel breakthroughs.

• Bill Gates made a ritual of retreating to a secluded cabin twice a year during his time at Microsoft. He called it Think Week. Surrounded by stacks of books, he reflected, strategized, and sometimes hatched game-changing ideas—like Internet Explorer.
• Leonardo da Vinci was famous for spending hours in silent contemplation. Accounts from his life describe him staring at tiny details of The Last Supper before ever touching a brush.

Both men understood that stillness wasn’t wasted—it was a tool.

But solitude can be a double-edged sword. Left unchecked, it risks turning into isolation. Jebelli advises approaching it in moderation, weaving short moments of mindful quiet into everyday life rather than retreating from the world completely.

How to practice “genius downtime”

You don’t need weeks in a cabin to spark creativity. Jebelli suggests simple practices that allow your brain to reset without overstimulation:

• Going for a walk
• Practicing yoga or meditation
• Reading for pleasure
• Exercising or engaging in a sport

The goal isn’t to cut yourself off, but to balance social interaction with intentional solitude. In doing so, you create space for your brain to reorganize and innovate.

The real secret to “superintelligence”

To think like Gates or da Vinci, you don’t need an IQ above 140—or endless hours chained to a desk. True cognitive breakthroughs often happen when the mind has room to wander.

Sometimes, the smartest thing you can do is also the simplest: step back, breathe, and let your brain surprise you.

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