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Hey, Psych2Goers, welcome back to another video.
Let's begin.
When you hear the word genius,
what do you think of?
We generally think of people with remarkable achievements
in areas of art, music and science
far beyond that of anyone else.
However, scientific research into people
with noticeable achievements reveals
some surprising traits
that anyone can learn from, including you.
Turns out, genius is a trait that anyone can nurture.
With that said, here are seven ways
to unlock your genius.
Number one, forget about IQ.
Surprised?
Thought that genius was all about IQ?
That's what Lewis Terman thought
when he recruited the students
with the highest IQs in the US for his study.
He expected these brilliant students
to become the most successful against all of their peers.
However, 57 years later,
he was disappointed to find
that the majority of these students lived small
and humble lives.
Meanwhile, others whose IQs were too low
to qualify for the study achieved great things,
like Richard Feynman,
winner of the Nobel Prize in Physics.
What he realized was that having an extremely high IQ
does not necessarily equal high success.
Number two, flex your creative muscles.
Lemme ask you a question.
How many uses can you think of for a tin can?
Researchers used this to measure students' creativity,
rating the quantity and originality
of the uses they came up with.
Creativity tests are actually three times more accurate
than IQ tests for predicting
which students become accomplished later on in life
as creativity is a key part of being a genius.
Einstein isn't known for repeating existing theories.
Mozart isn't known for performing existing symphonies
and Pablo Picasso isn't known for sticking to conventions.
Have you ever felt like the smartest person
in the room when you thought of an original idea
that no one else came up with?
Well, you were onto something.
Number three, exercise regularly.
Have you ever come up with a solution
to a problem while you were out and about?
Your mind and body are inseparable,
so much so that getting your muscles moving
also stimulates your brain,
improving memory and reaction time.
Furthermore, researchers have found
that regular exercise strengthens your memory
and lowers your risk of dementia later on in life.
You don't need to do an intensive workout to achieve this.
Even mild exercise like 20 to 30 minutes of walking
has significant benefits.
Number four, engage in curious thoughts and ideas.
Have you ever been curious
about something that others have found uninteresting?
According to San Jose State University professor,
Gregory Feist, you might have a genius trait
called need for cognition.
People high in this trait are always curious,
exploring new ideas, finding significance
in ordinary things,
and considering other perspectives.
You don't stick to convention,
hide within one field or avoid unfamiliar things.
Many of the best ideas come from unexpected connections
between unrelated thoughts.
So try watching a movie from a different culture,
reading an article on a new subject
or discuss a deep topic with a friend.
Number five, adopt a growth mindset.
How did you feel the last time you failed?
Did you feel that you weren't good enough
or that the activity was too hard?
If you have a fixed mindset,
the idea that you have either what it takes
or you don't and can do little to change it,
you can start to give up.
You may also be sensitive to criticism
and spend more effort hiding your mistakes
rather than learning from them.
Instead, adopt a growth mindset,
the idea that personal growth is always possible
through hard work and strategizing.
Your strengths and weaknesses
are only your starting position
and you can always advance from your current position.
Those with a growth mindset have fewer feelings
of depression, aggression and shame,
and more confidence, persistence and willingness
to take on new challenges,
which forms the stronger connections
in your brain the next time you fail.
Remind yourself that failure to succeed
does not mean failure to progress.
Number six, collaborate with others.
When you picture a genius,
do you think of a solitary self-made mastermind?
Research shows that genius is actually a team effort.
If you find the right network of passionate individuals,
great things can happen.
Communities share the tools, knowledge,
inspiration, feedback and wider connections needed
to thrive in any field.
But you only get the best results
if you have a diversity of positive relationships.
So those dreaded group projects
are worth something after all.
Even Tony Stark needed Yinsen
to perfect the first Iron Man.
And number seven, play video games.
Have you ever heard the claim
that gaming is a waste of time?
Scientific experiments have actually shown
that video games have a positive effect
on the brain, even more than dedicated brain training.
Your brain is confronted with open-ended challenges
and bombarded with information
to sort out very quickly,
which strengthens attention control,
visual thinking, multitasking, problem solving skills,
working memory and creativity.
Scientists have noticed that each generation
is more intelligent than the last,
and they think mental stimulation like video games
may play a role.
So there you have it.
Seven ways to unlock your genius.
Do you think you could try these tips in your lifetime?
One day you might achieve great things
and we believe in you.
Let us know what you'll try in the comments below.
Make sure to like and subscribe to Psych2Go
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and if you know someone with a lot of potential,
who needs some encouragement,
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