COURSE

How Geniuses Think: The 5-Step Process Behind Every Great Idea

Mastering the Aha Moment: The Five Steps to Creative Insight" is a transformative course designed to demystify the process of creative breakthroughs. Drawing on the practices of legendary creators like Leonardo da Vinci, George R. R. Martin, Woody Allen, and James Cameron, this course outlines a structured five-step process—Immersion, Incubation, Aha Moment, Deliberation, and Elaboration—to unlock your creative potential. Through engaging lessons, you’ll explore the neuroscience and psychology behind sudden insights, learn how to immerse yourself deeply in your field, balance work with rest, evaluate ideas critically, and bring your visions to life. Perfect for artists, writers, entrepreneurs, and anyone seeking to harness creativity, this course empowers you to cultivate and execute game-changing ideas.

Creativity Flow Focus Secular Mindfulness Performance Secular

Meet your Teacher

Jon Brooks

Cardiff, United Kingdom

Jon Brooks is a passionate educator and creative consultant with a deep interest in the science of creativity. With years of experience studying the processes behind groundbreaking ideas, Jon has developed a unique approach to teaching others how to unlock their creative potential. Drawing inspiration from history’s greatest minds, he combines neuroscience, psychology, and practical exercises to guide students toward their own ‘aha moments.’ Jon’s mission is to empower individuals across disciplines to transform their ideas into reality through structured, actionable strategies.

6 Days

189 students

4.8 stars

6 min / day

Creativity

English

Lesson 1

Demystifying The Aha Moment

In this opening session, we unravel the mystique of the ‘aha moment,’ exploring famous examples like Newton’s apple and Einstein’s clock tower revelation. You’ll learn that these moments of sudden insight are not random but the result of a five-step process: Immersion, Incubation, Aha Moment, Deliberation, and Elaboration. Through neuroscience and psychology, we’ll break down how the brain creates these breakthroughs, highlighting the roles of alpha and gamma waves and the interplay between the brain’s hemispheres. By understanding this process, you’ll begin to see how you can cultivate your creative insights.

Lesson 2

Immersion: Diving Deep Into Your Craft

Immersion is the foundation of creativity. This session explores how masters like Leonardo da Vinci and James Cameron dedicated years to mastering their domains before achieving their breakthroughs. You’ll learn why deep, focused practice—often requiring 10,000 hours or more—lays the groundwork for creative insights. Through examples from George R. R. Martin and Woody Allen, we’ll see how immersion builds the knowledge and skills needed for ‘aha moments.’ You’ll start identifying your domain of passion and commit to immersive practices to spark creativity.

Lesson 3

Incubation: The Power Of Stepping Back

Incubation is about giving your brain the downtime it needs to make creative connections. In this session, we’ll explore how legends like Thomas Edison and George R. R. Martin used rest, procrastination, and idle time to spark their best ideas. You’ll learn why stepping away from work, whether through naps, walks, or hobbies, can lead to unexpected insights. By examining the balance between immersion and incubation, you’ll discover practical ways to incorporate rest into your routine to enhance creativity.

Lesson 4

The Aha Moment: When Insight Strikes

This session dives into the heart of the ‘aha moment,’ the sudden flash of insight that feels like magic. Using George R. R. Martin’s Game of Thrones as a case study, we’ll explore the neurological steps behind these breakthroughs, from alpha wave ‘brain blinks’ to gamma wave bursts. You’ll learn how immersion and incubation set the stage for these moments and how to create conditions that encourage them. By reflecting on your own experiences, you’ll start recognizing the signs of an impending ‘aha moment.’

Lesson 5

Deliberation: Sifting The Gems From The Rough

Not every idea is a winner. In this session, we’ll explore the deliberation phase, where you critically evaluate your insights to find the ones worth pursuing. Drawing on examples from The Beatles and Woody Allen, you’ll learn techniques like mind mapping, SWOT analysis, and prototyping to assess your ideas. By honing your ability to filter and refine, you’ll ensure your time is spent on ideas with real potential, turning good insights into great ones.

Lesson 6

Elaboration: Bringing Ideas To Life

The final step, elaboration, is where your ideas become reality. This session explores how creators like Woody Allen and Ingmar Bergman turned their insights into tangible works through planning, prototyping, and execution. You’ll learn practical strategies for structuring your projects, iterating based on feedback, and overcoming obstacles. By committing to consistent effort, you’ll transform your ‘aha moments’ into impactful outcomes, completing the creative journey.

4.8 (27)

Recent Reviews

Brady

October 11, 2025

Fantastic deconstruction of the creative process. Super helpful. Thank you!

Anne

June 29, 2025

Interesting and insightful course

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