Over coming genetics

[phoenixmama]

I don't know if this has been discussed before but how does PD deal with the issue of traits being hard wired due to genetics. How do you break free from bad habits that seem to be something you are just born with? It is possible?

For instance, I am an INTP, pretty sure I have Adult ADD although undiagnosed. I am completely unorganized and unfocused and no matter how many books I read, can't seem to change this pattern. I am also impulsive which leads me to make bad decisions often.

What about intelligence? If a person is born with below average IQ, how can they overcome that to be whatever they want in life.

I don't know I am just sort of doubting PD can really work for everyone. It seems like its only for people who already have certain traits to build upon to make them successful.

[sadavis00]

Funny, I was about post to a similar thread after I got back results for my IQ test (pretty low!). So, you can stop reading if you think advice from a "stupid" person is not valuable. But, you will probably keep reading, because you want to hear what I might say. By your actions you have given my opinion value, not your judgment of my stupidity.

Instead of obsessing about whether you are low in intelligence, looks, etc. and hence unlikely to "succeed", just take action. You will find it worth you time, it will be valuable to you - "Success" always has a very personal meaning. It has a social meaning in terms of wealth/love etc. and at these things you can fail, and being "unsuccessful" in these things does hurt, but only if you choose to value what you do too much for its social meaning, and too little for its personal meaning.

Personal "success" can be had just by taking action towards your goals. The goals themselves may be unattainable, given your genes, but that really doesn't matter unless you make it matter. In any case, it has not been proven that a person of a given ability is "incapable" of accomplishing any task given enough time and guidance. Just keep trying and learning from PD material or any other source.

[RT Wolf]

Originally Posted by phoenixmama

I don't know if this has been discussed before but how does PD deal with the issue of traits being hard wired due to genetics. How do you break free from bad habits that seem to be something you are just born with? It is possible?

For instance, I am an INTP, pretty sure I have Adult ADD although undiagnosed. I am completely unorganized and unfocused and no matter how many books I read, can't seem to change this pattern. I am also impulsive which leads me to make bad decisions often.

What about intelligence? If a person is born with below average IQ, how can they overcome that to be whatever they want in life.

I don't know I am just sort of doubting PD can really work for everyone. It seems like its only for people who already have certain traits to build upon to make them successful.

What a negative post!

Do you think you're the only one that has to overcome inborn adversity? I don't mean to belittle your problem (which, btw, more often than not, self diagnosed ADD just turns out to be a result of poor diet, poor sleeping habits, poor excersizing habits and/or watching too much tv or other forms of hyper intense media), but have you ever heard of Helen Keller? If she can become an inspiration to so many, I think you can definitely find a way to improve your life.

Intelligence is not 100% genetic. If I recall from my psych class, there is a sort of consensus among researchers that intelligence is about 70% hereditary, the rest is in our hands. And it also depends on how you define intelligence, is it how well you do on an IQ test (which, btw, is a terrible measure for life success, but a decent measure for academic success, guess why its so popular?). Conscientiousness is a slightly better indicator, mre info here:
Conscientiousness - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

That said, unless you're taling about intelligence in the mentally challenged range where you literally can't take care of yourself, you'll be fine and you won't be the first person to overcome (as if its an obstacle) lack of intelligence. Hard work, perseverance, discipline and patience are character traitsthat virtually garuntee success and anyone can develop those.

I'm going to be blunt here: You're not doubting whether PD can work for everyone, which is definitely arguable, you're doubting your own efficacy and ability to effect real change in your life and overcome these limits that you are telling yourself are bigger than they actually are. Take responsibility for your life and realize that if anything's going to happen in your life, its going to be because of YOU and YOUR actions (action is a key here). Try giving yourself the excuse of not being smart enough or not being able to focus enough in ten years and see how little consolation that is. And that's all what've said are, excuses. You think they're real limitations? Go meet people who are missing arms and legs and find out what real limitations are.

Start excersizing if you don't already, you'll mood will improve. Excersizehelps self-esteem, mood, mental clarity (which you're going to need) nad god knows what else.

Yar, tirades of positivity are fun, cause they energize me to take action, too.

[phoenixmama]

Originally Posted by RT Wolf

What a negative post!

Do you think you're the only one that has to overcome inborn adversity?
Yar, tirades of positivity are fun, cause they energize me to take action, too.

Wow, I guess I really deserved that. It was a silly question now that I think about it. I just always feel so powerless over my life, I guess I was looking for an excuse for my lack of progress with PD.