What Habits make us Smarter?

Few traits are more personally, professionally, and socially valuable than intelligence. In simple terms, intelligence is the ability to understand knowledge, solve problems, generate ideas, and think critically about the world around you. In all its forms, intelligence has been the subject of hundreds, if not thousands, of psychological studies. Time and time again, it’s been proven to positively influence almost every aspect of our lives. The most intelligent people tend to climb higher on the professional ladder and are more likely to achieve meaningful, long-term goals. They tend to find more success in relationships and earn more respect from the people they meet. On a grander scale, highly intelligent people are mainly responsible for the development of our society.

Creative innovators like Steve Jobs laid the foundations for generations of human progress. Geniuses like Albert Einstein and Stephen Hawking transformed how we understand the world, even the entire universe. From artists and philosophers to scientists and engineers, the greatest minds through history were able to change the world forever because they had the discipline and courage to use their intelligence to the fullest. They learned, worked, and experimented day in and day out, constantly searching for inspiration and questioning everything they knew. Some of these people were naturally gifted, but others were average thinkers, just like anyone else; yet they climbed to the top of their fields and eventually changed the world. How? By expanding their intelligence every day.

Most people don’t realize that intelligence isn’t set in stone. For instance, Albert Einstein was called a “slow learner” by one of his teachers, yet he won a Nobel Prize in Physics and became one of the most renowned geniuses in history. In other words, high intelligence isn’t something you’re necessarily born with. Instead, you can develop your intelligence by stimulating your mind and consistently pushing your intellectual limits. With hard work and the right habits, anyone can make intelligence their superpower. Anyone can train themselves to think and create like the smartest people to ever live. In this video, we’re going to explore the many powerful ways you can expand your mind. Whether you’re naturally gifted or just average, these twelve everyday habits can make you smarter than you think.

1. Meditation Increases IQ For thousands of years, people from around the world have used one simple exercise to increase their intelligence. The ancient practice of meditation has been scientifically proven to enhance your memory, improve concentration, and even raise your intelligence quotient, or IQ. In one study, avid meditators were asked to take an IQ test, and their scores were compared to people who never meditated before. On average, meditators scored 20% higher than non-meditators. They were also more creative and performed better under pressure, staying calm and focused when others began to waver. Meditate for a few minutes every day, and you may think, concentrate, and solve problems like never before.

   
   

2. The High-Exposure Method According to billionaire Warren Buffet, it’s possible to rapidly expand our intelligence every single day. Using the so-called high-exposure method, many ultra-successful people like Buffet were able to climb to the top of their fields. Here’s how it works. Every day, they flood their brains with as many productive materials as possible. They read about current events, talk to interesting people, and keep tabs on their industries. They’re constantly encountering new information, which inspires innovative ideas and reveals opportunities for growth. While you can’t possibly know everything, that doesn’t mean you can’t try. Expose your brain to all kinds of inspiring materials every day, and you’ll start generating more ideas than ever.

 3. Make Your Neurons Powerful Reading and studying aren’t the only ways to grow your intelligence. Studies have also shown a strong correlation between intellectual performance and physical exercise. Activities like cardio and strength training promote the growth of cells called neurons, which transmit signals within your brain. Growing new neurons expands and complexifies your brain, literally increasing your brainpower every day. 4. The Illusion of Knowledge Most people don’t question the world around them. They take things at face value and believe whatever they’re told, but simply asking more questions can make you smarter. Get in the habit of questioning everything, no matter how popular or conventional something seems. Be curious every day and ask as many questions as you can. Even if it sounds stupid, every question you ask gives you a deeper and more unique point of view.

 5. Einstein’s Principle of Learning Albert Einstein once said, “If you can’t explain something simply, you probably don’t understand it well enough.” When we learn new things, we tend to paint in broad strokes, learning enough to answer questions or get good grades but not enough to understand or master each concept fully. Without mastery, we struggle to retain our knowledge or create new and bigger connections. That’s why Einstein developed this simple test. To figure out whether you’ve mastered a concept, explain it to another person in as simple terms as possible. If they don’t understand what you’re saying, you may need to refresh your memory or expand your understanding. Because the person who can explain something simply... is the wisest of all.

6. Intelligence Is Contagious You’re only as intelligent as the people you surround yourself with. This isn’t a hard and fast rule, but your social groups do have a significant impact on your intellectual development. If you surround yourself with people who aren’t particularly smart, you may not feel challenged or learn anything new. On the other hand, if you spend time with people who are as smart or smarter than you, one conversation can elevate your thinking. Talking to brilliant people isn’t always easy — sometimes, it’s downright intimidating — but intelligence is contagious. Make friends with the smartest person you know, and their intelligence will rub off on you.

7. The Power of Reflective Writing Our thoughts are fleeting and limited. We can only juggle so much information in our heads, so it’s often difficult to mentally process big ideas or work through complicated problems. This is especially true in our personal lives. We can think about what direction we’re headed or the sources of our anxiety, but these problems are often too complex to resolve by thinking alone. That’s why many people journal or write about their lives. In writing, we can express our ideas concretely, making sense of all the thoughts swirling around our heads. In a sense, you’re problem-solving every time you put pen to paper, pursuing new conclusions, and gradually transforming how you think. Contrary to popular belief, you don’t have to be a talented writer to write every day.

Feel free to express your ideas in whatever way makes sense to you. Every day, write just one paragraph about your life, and you may start to see things in a whole new way. 8. Reinvent Your Distractions Our lives are full of distractions and time-wasters, but these mind-numbing activities don’t have to stifle your intelligence. If you want to become smarter, make your distractions work for you. In other words, substitute common time-wasters for activities that challenge your mind or teach you something new. For example, instead of watching a mindless TV show, turn on a thought-provoking documentary. You’re still avoiding your work, but at least you’re learning something in the process.

9. Activate Your Musical Brain Studies show that playing an instrument, like a piano or guitar, has an incredible effect on the human brain. In one study, researchers scanned the brains of musicians as they played. Turns out that playing an instrument is like giving your brain a full-body workout. The music itself triggers emotional responses in the amygdala and cerebellum. At the same time, activity skyrockets in your motor, auditory, and visual cortexes — but that’s not all. Learning an instrument also improves communication between the hemispheres of your brain while enhancing your memory and sharpening your motor skills. The list goes on and on, so if you want to get smarter, start learning an instrument. Whether you’re an amateur or professional, playing music can train your brain like never before.

10. Bite-sized Reading Few activities enhance your intelligence, like reading a book. Not only is reading an incredible way to accrue knowledge, but it actually changes the structure of your brain. MRI scans showed increases in brain performance and connectivity after reading a single book. The problem for many people is motivating themselves to sit down and read, but it doesn't have to be a time-consuming chore. To experience the many rewards of this healthy habit, all you need to do is read just two pages a day. It may not sound like much, but this bite-sized habit can expand your knowledge and change your brain. 11. Outsmart Your Devices How many hours do you spend staring at a screen each day? Spending too much time on your devices can have a negative impact on your cognitive performance. Too much screen time shortens your attention span, worsens your memory, and even dulls your imagination.

So, try stepping away from your devices for at least a few hours daily. Lowering your screen time by as little as 20% may give you a much-needed boost of energy and concentration. You’ll not only feel more focused, but you’ll have more motivation to learn, grow, and expand your mind. 12. Unlock Your Imagination Often the most intelligent people are also the most creative. Creativity allows us to generate new ideas, think outside the box, and solve problems in ways others might not. So, if you want to be more intelligent, spend some time exploring and developing the free-thinking and innovative side of your brain. For example, take up a creative hobby like writing, painting, or crafting with your hands. Studies have shown that these activities enhance cognitive performance and nurture new and interesting ideas. So, let your creative mind wander and explore for at least fifteen minutes each day.