In the book, Originals: How Non-Conformists Move the World, Adam Grant introduces the concept (mental method) of “kissing frogs.” Kissing Frogs is, 
of course, is symbolic of the familiar fairy tale of the princess kissing the frog, transforming into a strapping young prince. Grant uses this analogy to highlight the importance of persistence – experimenting with numerous ideas until one proves successful. His theory stems from his research showing that innovation thrives on trial and error, requiring consistent effort and resilience to uncover breakthroughs.
Psychologist Dean Simonton’s research reveals that creative geniuses excel not because of consistent brilliance but through sheer volume. By producing more ideas, they increase their odds of creating something extraordinary. As Grant write, “Across fields, Simonton reports that the most prolific people not only have the highest originality; they also generate their most original output during the periods in which they produce the largest volume.
Grant also quotes Ira Glass, the producer of This American Life and the podcast Serial, saying:
“The most important possible thing you could do, is to do a lot of work. Do a huge volume of work.”
The “Kissing frog” mindset extends beyond creativity. It also extends to entrepreneurship, science and even personal growth. Modern innovators, from Silicon Valley startups to scientific pioneers, embrace the “kissing frog” mindset through iterative processes and relentless experimentation. Grant’s philosophy also dispels the myth of the instant genius. It reminds us that behind every breakthrough lies a trail of discarded drafts, failed experiments, and relentless effort. Kissing frogs is not just about generating volume, but also embracing the journey of discovery; it’s where persistence unlocks the potential to transform ordinary efforts extraordinary achievements.
Notable Examples:
- William Shakespeare: Across two decades, he wrote 37 plays and 154 sonnets. Yet, his enduring masterpieces including Macbeth, King Lear, and Othello, while the rest remain lesser-known.
- Classical Music: The London Philharmonic Orchestra’s 50 greatest classical pieces include:
- Mozart: six compositions out of 600 totals works.
- Beethoven: Five compositions from a lifetime total of 650.
- Bach: Three pieces from over 1,000 works.
- Pablo Picasso: He created 1,800 paintings, 1,200 sculptures, 2,800 ceramics, and 12,000 drawings. A small fraction defines his legacy.
- Maya Angelou: Out of 165 poems, only Still I Rise receives notable recognition.
- Thomas Edison: He filed 1,903 patents but is remembered for only a handful of major successes.
- Albert Einstein: He revolutionized physics with general and special relativity, but most of his 248 publications had little value.
Why Quantity Breeds Quality:
Contrary to the belief that quantity compromises quality, research demonstrates that prolific output enhances originality. This principle rests on three core ideas:
- Volume Expands Possibility: Generating more ideas increases the odds of uncovering exceptional ones.
- Mistake Fuel Growth: Failure exposes weaknesses, enabling refinement and improvement.
- Patterns Emerge Over Time: Iteration uncovers hidden insights, leading to breakthrough concepts.