What has made you smarter?

[jbischke]

I've been giving a lot of thought to this lately. What are the things that have allowed you to think sharper? Be more creative? Etc. Here are what I've found for me personally. Would *love* to hear others' thoughts:

Helped a ton

Hanging out w/smart people - Nothing tops this. I making a conscious effort in my life to spend as much time as I can with people who are ridiculously smart.

Listening to smart people on podcasts - Podcasting is an awesome way to learn. I love podcasts like Venture Voice, Entrepreneurial Thought Leaders, TED Talks, IT Conversations, Calacanis Cast and Steve Pavlina.

Meditation - Meditation clears my mind for better conversations and more creativity. It would not surprise me if there was a strong correlation between the smartest people in our society and some form of meditative practice.

Helped somewhat

Reading - OK, reading has helped a lot but I think it's all about how you read. In order to really help I think you have to take the ideas you read about and put them in practice or teach others using them. If all you do is read and never share what you've read or use it then I think it's of somewhat dubious value.

Exercises like EyeQ - I think there are probably a number of things you can do on a daily basis to sharpen your brain. I've found EyeQ to be helpful for this. Would love to hear others' suggestions.

Chess/poker/blackjack - I've dabbled in each of these in the past and I think they can definitely help sharpen learning quite a bit. In fact, I got heavily involved in blackjack in college in large part because my classes were so boring. Poker might be the king here because there are an unending number of variables to consider, moreso then chess or bj me thinks.

Made me dumber

Television and most movies - It's very rare that I ever sit down in front of TV or a movie but when I do I almost never leave the experience feeling smarter.

Spending time with people who aren't as intelligent - Tough to say much here without sounding like an elitist so I won't. Let's just say that every conversation has an opportunity cost and I'm trying to maximize those precious moments.

OK, would love to hear yours!

[Angela]

Helped a ton:

Letting go of my insecurities -- they were a huge grey screen between me and my life.

Presence -- all the tools I've found that bring me to vibrant presence in the moment.

My relationship with Danger Man -- upward spiral.

Commitment to powerful exercise -- Like Hercules cleaning out the stable by diverting a river, working my body blasts a clean flow of clarity and other good stuff through me.

Drinking water -- makes everything better. See Hercules/stable.

Working for someone who demands I be my best self -- priceless.

Made me dumber:

Pop-celebrity-culture.

The Dark Chocolate Chili Almond Spread and White Chocolate Blueberry Peanut Butter that's sitting on my desk. Honestly, it's hard to think of anything else right now.

[renie408]

Genetics. Both my parents have above average intelligence and we have five Mensa members within my immediate family.

Debating with intelligent people that force you to craft your arguments well and do the research for your arguments.

Reading. Any reading.

Teaching. Through teaching I have had to refine my ability to convey an idea.

Lifestyle. I don't smoke or drink, have a relatively healthy diet and an active life. I also spend a good bit of time out of doors with animals, which is a very meditative activity.




I don't think anything makes me dumber. I am smart enough to know that I can watch a movie or TV and my brain cells will still be there ready to use when I am finished.

[indestructible]

It is surprising how similar our lists are! Being smart is like being strong. You have to work out in order to maintain it.

Helped a Ton
- Reading broadly - I find if I read only on one subject (such as business/economics for example) I become too narrow. I like to read a wide variety of business and fiction books, mixed in with self-help, spirituality and world issues. A lot of my reading counterpoints each other - which is a good thing. I read about a book a week.
- Writing every day - Writing on my blog and my personal journal have forced me to synthesize my thoughts quickly and succinctly.
- Continually learning at work - I keep learning and taking on new projects that I am not comfortable with... until I master them. Also, when I am working with people from other disciplines (such as programming when I am a marketer), I ask them "why" a lot. I also have a side venture which takes me to new places.
- Speaking different languages - I speak French and Japanese, so using those languages helps me stay sharp.
- Giving up TV - I have not had cable in almost 4 years and what I have replaced it with has really helped.
- Exercising and hanging out with smart people - this has already been well-explained .

Makes Me Dumber- Drinking makes me dumber for a few days!
- Hanging out with tedious people, especially for long periods of time.
- Doing tedious jobs at work and in the home.
- Falling in love makes me dumber - since I can only focus on that - but it is worth it!

[bellbird]

Getting the grey cells in gear by:
Studying and acting on it
'Smart' people (family/friends/forum) interacting> thinking> speaking
Reading info books and forum
Joining a local business group> focus + education
Getting dumber by:
Having the occasional bourbon and wine> weekends
fast food (not often at all so that's good)
Less action at work (own initiative breaks the potential zombie status looming)
Watching tv (don't watch news or shows anymore, only dvds)

[songwriter]

Makes me smart:
The will to adapt to the environment
Makes me silly
Popular beliefs.

[annie]

Made me smarter:

started reading PD books since I was in High School(26 years ago) (average 2 a month)
decided to get an education through travel and experience rather than an institution
homeschooled my children
started 4 business and failed MISERABLE at them
started 2 more that were very successful (FINALLY)
never touched alcohol or tobacco
gave up on romance novels after only 1
giving up TV

Things that made me dumber

kept the same friend for 20 years that did nothing for me (still learned a valuable lesson, but wouldn't do it again)

TV watching in JR High
An internet addiction a few years back
Going to High School my senior year with a schedule that included: swim team, cheerleading, religion class, pottery and I think 1 solid (WHAT A WASTE!)

[Liara Covert]

This is a great thread. Recognizing that I always have more to learn motivates me to continue learning in ways that grow exponentially.

[soccer7]

made me smarter :

mediation
decision to grow
summoning courage to face my fears, so i get experieces that i normally don't get.
reading and learning off other smart people like steve and erin

made me dumb:

hmmm, i didn't really think of this till now, i guese the only thing that is coming in now is Ignorance, Denial and Fear.
Fear is the trigger for growth, but its also the thing that holds most of us back from valueable life experience that would otherwise help us to grow.
growth = smarter

thats all i got

[Jes]

The two things that I can truly say have made me smarter are refusing to acknowledge my intelligence in a public manner (i.e. through conceit, condescension, elitism, etc.) and limiting my association with those who participate in such behavior. To me, there is no greater form of ignorance than assuming you are ahead in a non-existent race to become the supreme being. It's a basic life lesson taught time and time again (Lucifer and the Bible, anyone?), and ignored by every generation. What's also really important to remember, I find, is that even the wisest of the wise are on the same level as those who are failures by society's standards (the drug addict, the dropout, your bankrupt neighbor, etc.). There are some very low lows in life, and I've hit quite a few of them, but now that I'm back "on top," it's only become clearer to me that I have been the same person throughout the whole journey---I just happen to make better choices now to ensure my survival.

[RT Wolf]

I've found being dumb really, really helps me become smarter. Because we learn from our mistakes, often more than we learn from our successes.

[Alvin]

Originally Posted by RT Wolf

I've found being dumb really, really helps me become smarter. Because we learn from our mistakes, often more than we learn from our successes.

Ditto that. Making dumb-ass mistakes has made me a whole lot smarter

Having friends who are also committed to personal development who will be honest enough to give it to you when you're not being your all.

Reading about other people's dumb-ass mistakes - hey, anything to shortcut your own learning curve

[renie408]

Originally Posted by Jes

The two things that I can truly say have made me smarter are refusing to acknowledge my intelligence in a public manner (i.e. through conceit, condescension, elitism, etc.) and limiting my association with those who participate in such behavior. To me, there is no greater form of ignorance than assuming you are ahead in a non-existent race to become the supreme being. It's a basic life lesson taught time and time again (Lucifer and the Bible, anyone?), and ignored by every generation. What's also really important to remember, I find, is that even the wisest of the wise are on the same level as those who are failures by society's standards (the drug addict, the dropout, your bankrupt neighbor, etc.). There are some very low lows in life, and I've hit quite a few of them, but now that I'm back "on top," it's only become clearer to me that I have been the same person throughout the whole journey---I just happen to make better choices now to ensure my survival.

I think the first thing is being humble. I am not sure being humble has any effect on your intelligence. I think what you are describing is that you feel smarter because you lack arrogance. 'Not acknowledging your intelligence in a public manner' would have meant that Einstein would have had to keep his theories to himself. I don't *think* that would have made him smarter.

Being humble might make you easier to be around, I dunno. Personally, I find it annoying. If you're smart, be smart. I also find it interesting that you won't point out to anybody that you are smart, but you don't mind pointing out that you are humble. Piety is just as ego based as arrogance, wouldn't you say? Either way you are saying, "Look at me! Look at how GOOD I am!" I don't mind saying it, I need to work on my ego. I feel smarter than other people a lot of the time and am not shy about displaying it. But you are fooling yourself if you think that you are any different because what you choose to highlight is your humbleness. BTW, I think if you highlight humbleness, by definition you negate it. In fact, now that I think about it, "To me, there is no greater form of ignorance than assuming you are ahead in a non-existent race to become the supreme being. " is hysterically ironic. YOU obviously think YOU are better than those that point out that they are better. Jeez, you probably just can't win if you start off siting humbleness and the fact that you are no better than anybody else as your proof that you are better than anybody else.

The real wisdom lies in knowing that people who are not as smart are just as worthy as any genius. No amount of IQ or education makes one man more worthy than another.

Ultimately, being smart and being arrogant are independent qualities. You can be either without the other or you can be both. You might be a nicer person if you aren't arrogant, but you are probably not smarter.

[renie408]

Originally Posted by RT Wolf

I've found being dumb really, really helps me become smarter. Because we learn from our mistakes, often more than we learn from our successes.

ALWAYS. I think we ALWAYS learn more from our mistakes than we do from our successes. I teach riding and kids who come in with natural ability will sometimes hit a wall they can't get past, while kids who struggle from the start have no ceiling on what they can do. The natural doesn't have to LEARN, they just DO. The kid that struggles has to LEARN everything and once they figure out how to learn, they don't stop.

[toptemp]

I remember being the dumbest kid in the class in 5th grade and worked myself up to being valedictorian in high school. Unfortunately, in the last week of high school, I found out I didn't understand anything and that I had nothing but superficial knowledge of the world.

With this insight, I determined that I would develop true understanding, and I have achieved this goal.

Many of the things listed thus so far are great. I'll post the top 2 from my perspective:

Seek absolute truth above all things. When you do this, you leave assumptions, bias, and opinions at the side of the road. You discover the heart of ideas and learn that objectivity truly does exist (relatively).

However, there must be a stimulus for achieving this aim because it is difficult and will not come naturally. Find that stimulus. In the beginning, for me, it was realizing that I knew nothing that made me seek truth. After I began to know some things, it became the application of this truth that became the new stimulus. I developed goals that far exceeded my former imagination. I would do great things.



Do you see what's different about these than those things that have already been listed? (Unless I missed these in the list.) The truth is that you're not going to become amazingly intelligent, you're not going to become a genius through ordinary means unless you've been blessed at infancy with a mind that operates according to these principles that I've mentioned (and others).

Sure, hanging out with smart people will most definitely make you smarter, but it won't enable you do adopt their mind and make it your own. Once again, reading books is all good, but that is knowledge intake and not creation. I am sure there have been many smart people of past who have hung out with many other smart people and read all the best books, and yet, have not an ounce of true intelligence, true genius.

Genius comes from forging your own path of ideas and having a solid reason for doing so. All the greatest minds of past have sought truth and have done so with unquenchable desire.

[Thomas Jensen]

I have no doubt that getting to bed earlier, and getting up in the morning much earlier, has made me smarter. There is no doubt in my mind. You can get into the swing of things much more quickly, and fit so much more into your day.

[toptemp]

Originally Posted by Thomas Jensen

I have no doubt that getting to bed earlier, and getting up in the morning much earlier, has made me smarter. There is no doubt in my mind. You can get into the swing of things much more quickly, and fit so much more into your day.

I'm pretty sure this is relative, at least for me... considering I was up till 8:00 am last "night" pondering business acquisitions; a similar scenario to just about every other night!

[Sam988]

Believe it or not, what made me smarter was believing I was smarter.

I used to do really bad on school, would never understand the subjects (might be because i never got interested anyways =p)

Then when i started college, i though to myself that if i was ever going to finish college i would have to start getting good grades, and since my both parents are very very bright there was no reason i wasn't bright also.

Lol, once i realized i was very intelligent i started understanding before 95% of the class every subject, everything the teachers explained, and i've been doing great.

The only explanation i have to this is that i never really focused on learning what was being taught and had this learning disability that i didnt believe i was capable of doing the same or even better than most people, and it became a self-fulfilling prophecy for a long time.



So my piece of advice is, always believe in yourself and hold high expectations for yourself and your future. AND MAKE IT HAPPEN

[RT Wolf]

^ True.

Also, another poster touched on this point: Intelligence improves with hard work. However you feel about intelligence is a self-fulfilling prophesy. If you feel it is fixed, then it is. If you feel that it improves with hard work and experience, then it does.

[sourceofmiracles]

meditation

[alexyeo]

Hi all,

I am now an undergrad. And I can tell you all, my grades in high school and college really sucks to the core. Getting those C & D grades. Sometimes I even failed some subjects.

By chance, I happen to read a book on Subconscious Mind. I began to apply what is being taught in the book. I realized that although I wanted to get good grades, but I always think I am not good academically. So mu subconscious mind accepts it. Thus, no matter how I tried, I still can't get As or Bs.

Now, I always believe in myself and absolute faith that I AM SMART. You won't believed it! I actually get As and Bs now. I guess you really need to convince your subconscious mind. Of course, I need to put in effort to study too!

Your thoughts will convey into the results you wanted!!

[Thomas Jensen]

Actually I think that purposefully cultivating something of an 'outsider' mentality can help you to concentrate more, be more determined and become smarter. I don't mean the kind of paranoia where you believe everybody is out to get you. What I mean is the recognition that if you don't take control of your life, somebody else will. I'm sure this has helped me to become smarter. I'm getting quicker and quicker at making decisions for myself, and breaking down my projects into smaller, more easily manageable chunks so that I don't get overwhelmed by the task ahead of me.

[John Wesley]

You'll probably find this post helpful: 5 Simple Ways to Make the Most of Your Intelligence

[Jes]

Originally Posted by John Wesley

You'll probably find this post helpful: 5 Simple Ways to Make the Most of Your Intelligence

I've spent only about a year now with self-actualization, but those five habits are probably the most important ones I've developed. They're also the most consistent with everything I've read on personal development.

[Susie]

I think living in a foreign country has made me smarter, although on a daily basis I inevitably feel stupid in one way or another-- there is always something I don't know here!

Learning a foreign language also helps to get the brain cells fired up.

[JeffS]

If you haven't read Richard Hamming's speech "You and Your Research", read it. It may not apply directly to you, but I guarantee you'll find plenty of use in it. I read it at least once a month.

Richard Hamming: You and Your Research

The comment that wowed me more than anything else is that knowledge/skill/intelligence--whatever--works like compound interest. The more you steadily put into it, the more you get out in the end. If you spend an extra 15 minutes a day learning new stuff, that works out to WAY more than the knowledge, etc. you gain from the same amount of time in one big burst.

[toptemp]

Originally Posted by Susie

I think living in a foreign country has made me smarter, although on a daily basis I inevitably feel stupid in one way or another-- there is always something I don't know here!

Learning a foreign language also helps to get the brain cells fired up.

Related to this foreign language, one may set huge goals that require true understanding. I have personally set myself on the track to learn ten different languages which requires me to know the fundamental components of language like nothing else. Huge goals thare require unordinary understanding is definitely one way to go.


...and now I just read that article above by Hamming. He says much the same thing in a different way. To add, once again, i am amazed at how a great scientist downplays his own abilities which illustrates, I think, very clearly that extroardinary people are just ordinary human beings.

[Freelancer]

I didn't read all of the responces but here are some of mine;

Helped a ton;
-- Learning how to play poker, not the rules but the strategy.
-- Trying to overcome personal barriers, I'm still working on this.

Helped me somewhat;
-- Reading books/internet

Made me dumber;
-- Playing poker, the difference is that once you get passed a certain point you can play solid poker in a robotic mode. This has a tendency to really dull the mind.
-- Television, I seriously doubt I learned anything from the movies/shows I watch...

[jbischke]

Originally Posted by toptemp

I have personally set myself on the track to learn ten different languages which requires me to know the fundamental components of language like nothing else.

Wow. I love this goal. My goal is to be trilingual (english + spanish + mandarin) within a decade. You should start a thread here describing how you're setting out to do this. I'd love to read that!

[brooksr]

Listening to Mozart!