Too many people think that intelligence is a gift of nature and there is not much anyone can do to improve theirs. IQ tests have managed to confuse us, leading us to believe that intelligence is largely fixed. It's not.
Just like swimming, cooking, dancing, and just about everything else, being smart is a skill that requires training. Unfortunately, our schools neglect to give us some of the most essential tools for being smart.
So how did I find out about these tools? It happened when I started working on my doctorate. I didn't just want to do any kind of research, I wanted to do research that mattered. The problem was that I didn't know how to do research, let alone research that mattered. So I decided to try to understand the teachers who were doing important work. For years, I watched and learned, and I'm proud to say I got it - and it wasn't what I expected.Because I got it, I was able to produce about four times the amount of work required to complete a PhD and still spend a lot of time with my family, friends, and hobbies. I will now share with you some of what I learned.
Practice self-critical thinking
We are all familiar with critical thinking, the act of questioning the assumptions of arguments presented to us. Critical thinking is an invaluable skill – without it, we all become gullible and easily manipulated. The problem is that we usually only apply critical thinking to other people's ideas. When we apply critical thinking to our own ideas, its power reaches a whole new level. I call it self-critical thinking . Once you've found a flaw in your argument, see if you can come up with a better idea. If you practice self-critical thinking, you will find flaws in your arguments before anyone else. By practicing self-critical thinking, your intellect will amaze you.
Be persistent
Smart, successful people don't give up. They believe they can do it and so keep trying until they finally succeed. You may know that Thomas Edison failed thousands of times before he succeeded. What you might not know is that almost all scientists regularly experience failures. They spend months, even years, trying to find answers, until finally something happens. So if you want to be smart, be persistent.
Learn to present your ideas
Two people can have the same ideas, views and opinions, and yet only one of them can be considered intelligent. We often forget that everyone is busy with their own life; they don't have time to reflect and analyze everything we say. If we don't sell our ideas, hardly anyone will recognize their merit. So if you want others to know you're smart, learn to present your ideas. Speak clearly, articulate your words, and most importantly, let your enthusiasm for your ideas shine through. Enthusiasm is very contagious. Some of the most brilliant scientists spend half, yes, half their time presenting. If they think it's worth it, so should you. Finally, learning how to sell your ideas is not only good for your reputation, but it can also help others. If you have something to say, say it well, so others can benefit from your message.
Finally, let me add that to be intelligent, you also have to believe in yourself. We are all much more similar than it seems. Those who seem smarter than you simply had the right tools and used those tools to exercise their minds. Exceptional intelligence is at your fingertips.
You are smarter than you think.
