Our goal in life should be to let others know how smart we really are, right? We spend our time taking tests, applying for awards, and interviewing all in an attempt to justify our skill set. But how do we define “smart”? It appears we have arrived at this definition: A core competency in a narrow area. This area consists of individuals far more knowledgeable than us and our aim becomes to seek and interact with these individuals. The focus on this specific area creates a habit of socializing with like-minded individuals while ignoring others with diverse skill sets.
Here is the Success Secret: Every single person is smarter than you in at least one regard (if you’re like me than probably more).
The intense focus on our one area of interest needs to be toned down. To escape this end, I propose a 5 day challenge. Each day in the challenge spend 10-15 minutes with a person you have always overlooked. Dig out that area where they surpass you and just listen. At the end of those 5 days you will find yourself a more complete individual in areas that never even occurred to you. That’s intelligence!
How did this go for you? What were those 5 encounters like?
Great post!
“What is this magic requirement? Just this: a deep, driving desire to learn, a vigorous determination to increase your ability to deal with people.” -Dale Carnegie
Excellent quote. It has just been added to the Success Quotes section.
I think that he makes a valid point in that determination and desire will take your far further in life than above average intelligence. School does seem to reward the latter though doesn’t it?
Good stuff. I always argued about what intelligence really was.
“Action is the only true measure of intelligence” – Napoleon Hill
I have always differentiated Intelligence and Intellectualism.
I consider intelligence no more than the natural speed and breadth of your cognitive ability. It is something you are born with, and barring accidents/drugs/etc. lowering your intelligence, something that you will have the same amount of your entire life.
Intellectualism is the pursuit of what is right. Pure and simple. Not what someone thinks is right, not what someone wants to be right, but the natural state of what will be, or what is, independent of observation.
I have met in my life some very intelligent people who severely lack the drive to seek out answers and instead use their intelligence only to master what they know and come across. On the flip side I have also met several people of moderate intelligence who once engaged in debate are capable of blowing my mind with their depth of understanding on a given topic.