The ‘Equal’ Odds Rule Reminds Us That Creativity Is A Numbers Game

The ‘Equal’ Odds Rule Reminds Us That Creativity Is A Numbers Game

You have as much a chance of producing a great work as you do creating something useless. That’s what the “Equal Odds Rule” says, and it’s a reminder that the best strategy for creating something important is to produce as much as possible.

Picture: JaseCurtis/Flickr

James Clear explains this theory, developed by Harvard-trained psychologist Keith Simonton:

“The Equal Odds Rule says that the average publication of any particular scientist does not have any statistically different chance of having more of an impact than any other scientist’s average publication.” In other words, any given scientist is equally likely to create a game-changing piece of work as they are to create something average that is quickly forgotten.

Translated to the world at-large: You can’t predict your own success. Scientists, artists, inventors, writers, entrepreneurs, and workers of all types are equally likely to produce a useless project as they are to produce an important one.

If you believe the Equal Odds Rule, then the natural conclusion is that you’re playing a numbers game. Because you can’t predict your success, the best strategy is to produce as much work as possible, which will provide more opportunities to hit the bullseye and create something meaningful.

In other words, keep on trucking and persist.

How to Uncover Your Creative Talent by Using the “Equal Odds Rule” [James Clear]


The Cheapest NBN 50 Plans

Here are the cheapest plans available for Australia’s most popular NBN speed tier.

At Lifehacker, we independently select and write about stuff we love and think you'll like too. We have affiliate and advertising partnerships, which means we may collect a share of sales or other compensation from the links on this page. BTW – prices are accurate and items in stock at the time of posting.

Comments