There are plenty of ways to figure out if you’re smart — you can think back to your grades in school or consider if people look up to you as a leader. Those can be rewarding experiences, but they hardly tell the whole story. How do you know if you’ve got an above-average level of intelligence? See if you naturally do any of these everyday habits — if you don’t, you might want to adopt them to hone your intellect.
1. You keep an open mind when reading things.
Reading offers people new information through fictional storylines with themes, textbooks, or even newspapers. When you’re reading, do you consider new information equal to your own viewpoints? Highly intelligent people look forward to learning when they absorb books and articles. You might already be doing this by reading this very paragraph — ha!
2. You maintain a schedule.
Sometimes, being smart means making life easier for yourself. Scheduling is the best way to do that. Start using a daily, weekly, or monthly planner to keep track of responsibilities and deadlines. You’ll become an expert at maximizing the hours in your day in no time, just like intelligent people juggling their work and personal lives. As Tony Robbins explains, time management skills make everything in your life easier and more full of potential.
3. You make strategic decisions in relationships.
Being intelligent doesn’t mean letting go of your emotions, but it does involve strategy in relationships. Picture yourself feeling uneasy about your partner spending time with people you don’t know. Someone operating on emotional instinct might recognize their unease as confirmation that their partner is already cheating. A highly intelligent person would analyze that discomfort, reflect on the facts, and see if the facts of the situation match their feelings before acting on them.
4. You save time for your passions.
Working harder in school isn’t the only way to get smarter and maintain your intellect. People with high IQs also reserve time for their greatest passions in life. Research shows that spending time on leisure activities boosts cognitive abilities by exercising all parts of the brain. Save time for your hobbies each day to hone your mind and have more fun.
5. You keep an open mind to different ideas and perspectives.
Most people would likely agree that it isn’t logically possible to understand everything. No one will ever know everything, and people with an above-average level of intelligence accept that. They remain humble enough to listen to ideas without feeling defensive. Instead, they grow alongside the new information to get more joy or understanding out of life.
6. You welcome problem-solving opportunities of all sizes.
If anyone has ever noted that you’re resilient, you’re likely more intelligent than others. It’s a key trait in people who welcome problem-solving opportunities. You’ve got the tenacity and determination to see your way through to a solution, even if it takes a while. Instead of seeing problems as proof of a character flaw, you solve them like puzzles that don’t carry emotional weight.
7. You don’t keep a running list of your mistakes.
Another bonus of problem-solving is letting things go. It’s easy to take mistakes personally, especially for anyone with low self-esteem. As your intelligence grows, mistakes won’t feel as personal. You’ll either learn from them and keep growing or feel better after making things right with anyone involved.
Letting go of mistakes also shows that you’re not afraid to fail. Failure is mostly scary to people who have perfectionist tendencies and low self-compassion. If you work on those parts of yourself, your intelligence will flourish as you maintain a healthier distance from your mistakes.
8. You protect your sleep routine.
Intelligent people understand the value of sleep. It lets their minds fully recharge so they can tackle complex problems, figure out solutions and learn every chance they get. You might be among them if you protect your sleep routine. Boundaries like putting electronics away before bed or keeping a consistent bedtime are just a few ideas that bolster long-term sleep habits for people of any intelligence level.
9. You note your energy levels throughout the day.
Staying in touch with your energy levels throughout the day is crucial if you’re always using your brain to its maximum abilities. Do you check in with yourself and slow down when necessary? People who do this regularly know what drains or boosts them. Try keeping a log when you feel tired after a phone call or energized after hanging out with friends to find the best energetic balance for your well-being.
10. You embrace the challenges presented by distractions.
No one can eliminate all distractions forever. People with above-average intelligence accept that because it’s another learning opportunity. When a distraction occurs, you might note how frequently it steals your attention and try solutions to find the most effective way to dismantle that distraction. Otherwise, you’d feel frustrated that you couldn’t put your entire focus into a task that benefits your work or personal life.
11. You occasionally talk yourself through parts of your day.
When was the last time you talked to yourself? Whether it happened out loud or in your head, it’s a clear sign of above-average intelligence. Inner dialogue helps people focus so they find effective solutions faster. It’s also an opportunity to fortify your self-image with positive self-talk. Encouraging yourself while working through something reduces your overall stress and builds your self-confidence while sharpening your problem-solving skills.
12. You ask yourself why.
Learning is all about staying curious. Maintaining your intelligence requires the same skill. You’re likely very smart if you’re always asking why. The question encourages people to dig deeper into things like what makes interpersonal connections work and why they enjoy certain hobbies. It also develops greater empathy for people with different viewpoints, fostering better relationships with anyone.
13. You enjoy daydreaming sometimes.
When you allow yourself to daydream, the habit improves your creativity and makes problem-solving easier. You can imagine how you’d solve scenarios, communicate with others or find greater happiness by trying different ideas without any real-world repercussions. Highly intelligent people daydream during breaks or free time more often than others, making it a helpful habit in settings where it doesn’t count as procrastination.
14. You savor moments alone.
Bonding with and learning from others is invaluable, but spending time alone is wise too. People with above-average intelligence levels sometimes prefer their solitude. It allows them to recharge their social batteries, giving their brain a much-needed rest. They also use that time to process emotions or reflect on things that happened recently.
15. You look up to role models.
Everyone deserves to have role models. Think about who you look up to, either in your personal life or in general. Those people likely exhibit your core values or represent what you want in your personal growth. Intelligent people value this form of personal reflection because role models make life more fun while serving as internal guideposts.
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