Hello there, fellow intellectuals! Have you ever wondered what exactly it takes to be intelligent?
Everybody has a different definition of ‘smart’. Most people associate intelligence with high IQ
or being multilingual, but that’s not how it works. There are several levels of intelligence.
It’s a mixture of cognitive capabilities, emotional intelligence,
decision-making skills and knowledge. In today’s video, we’ll reveal a few signs
of genuine intelligence that can never be faked. Is curiosity a sign? Does solitude make the list?
Is learning from your mistakes an indication of true intelligence?
We’ll talk about all this AND more… (Pause)
For one, an extraordinary sign of genuine intelligence is not believing that you’re smart.
You may see it as modesty but people who don't recognize they're smart, have got
quite the brain power. This says you’re smart enough to recognize your limitations.
This phenomenon is defined as the Dunning-Kruger effect. According to psychologists, this effect
states that less competent individuals frequently boast about their talents,
whereas clever people sell themselves short. Also, when you understand your limits, you’re more
likely to surround yourself with individuals who can help you overcome them. This increases your
desire to learn more, making you smarter. (Pause)
Interesting, right? Now get this, being open-minded is also an important sign of
intelligence. (Pause)
Intelligent people are not closed off to new ideas. They accept alternative solutions.
According to research, highly intelligent people are open-minded to other people's points of view,
not forming their own opinion until they hear various perspectives.
They do not take things at face value.
The study also found that open-minded people are less likely to be manipulated. They’re
very confident in their own beliefs, and don’t rely as much on the influence of other people.
(Pause) That’s not all!
If you’re intelligent, you love to observe things. Do people admire your ability to remember small
details? Well, paying attention to your surroundings is a sign of intelligence.
You don’t have to be Sherlock Holmes to observe what’s going on around you.
Intelligent people use their observation skills to make better judgment.
This can help you communicate better with others. You’ll eventually achieve success
in your professional and personal life. You’ll be surprised to know that many
forms of intelligence are linked with your capability to observe and remember. For instance,
naturalist intelligence is related to your ability to notice patterns or changes in the natural world
while verbal-linguistic intelligence is associated with your ability to recall what you read or hear.
(Pause) Want to know more? Here’s how a good sense
of humor serves as a sign of intelligence. (Pause)
To process and make jokes, you need both reasoning and emotional abilities. Several studies have
discovered a link between humor and intellect. It’s been observed that hilarious people,
especially those who love dark humor, have higher IQ’s.
Funny individuals have better verbal and non-verbal intelligence.
Also, their fun personalities make them a huge hit in different social circles.
Their ability to be naturally funny makes them super attractive to the opposite sex.
A good sense of humor is also associated with sound mental alertness and health.
Research states that professional comedians and cartoonists score higher on verbal IQ.
The next time you’re with the funniest person in your group, pay attention to their mannerisms,
and have a conversation with them. You can learn a lot about their personality.
(Pause) If you’re a night-owl,
you’re probably really smart. (Pause)
We all know how sleeping in or staying awake at night is associated with laziness. However,
this is not true! Really smart individuals do the majority of their work at night,
and sleep in the next morning. A study discovered that the
majority of smart people love waking up late on both weekdays and weekends.
So, if you’re lazy, you may be more intelligent than you thought.
Experts have discovered a link between sleeping habits and IQ.
According to their studies, people who are more active when the moon comes out tend to be smarter.
Night owls seem to have a longer period of alertness throughout the day. Also,
people who work late at night are more likely to come up with brilliant ideas.
(Pause) So what are the other signs of true intelligence?
Can self-control be associated? (Pause)
Smart people show greater amounts of self-control. They can handle their impulses and repress their
emotions. They also consider the repercussions of their actions before making a decision.
This is because self-control requires intelligence. You need to be able to tell the
difference between good and bad. Self-control and intellect help you to do the right thing.
An experiment proved that individuals who had more self-control scored higher on exams
and experienced a better success rate. Self-control is an underappreciated indicator
of intellect. You can practice it by talking out loud to yourself, or through willpower.
(Pause) You’d be surprised to know that if you value
solitude, you’re probably highly intelligent. (Pause)
If you enjoy being alone, it’s a sign of true intelligence. According to research,
there’s a concrete connection between being alone and intelligence. You can use your
alone time to reflect, focus, and plan things. This will also help you maintain self-control.
Have you ever met somebody who is not happy around their friends? Studies find people
with higher intellect to be a lot less happier when they spend time interacting with friends.
You may think this means that intelligent people hate being social across the board.
This isn’t true. Being alone gives them a chance to process
their thoughts a little better than they would if they were in a group of people.
It allows them to sort out any issues they may be having, and generate new ideas.
(Pause) Are you a curious cat?
Congratulations, you might be really smart! (Pause)
People who hold a deep curiosity about the world around them are usually a lot smarter than we
think. If you’re one of these people, you ask questions to get to the bottom of an issue, spend
hours scouring the internet for new information, or deconstruct items to figure out how they work.
You’re always learning. You may even become an expert on an unusual topic,
such as a specific historical event. But, being intelligent isn't just about knowing
everything. True intelligence is associated with the desire to learn more. You need to have some
fascination with the world in order to learn. Studies prove that the way you invest your
time and effort has a huge influence on your intellectual growth. Research
also shows that children with high IQ scores are more engaged and responsive to new ideas. Remember
all those times your parents asked you to focus on your school work? Well, it turns out they knew
something you didn’t. (Pause)
Fascinating, right? Here’s more. If you can solve a complicated problem with a simple solution,
you’re probably pretty intelligent. (Pause)
The ability to simplify and solve difficult issues is considered a
key characteristic of an intelligent person. If problem solving is a no brainer for you,
it’s a sign of true intellect. This goes from figuring out what's wrong with a damaged vehicle,
to solving an issue in the workplace. Employers generally appreciate workers who take the
initiative to solve problems instead of simply reporting them. You’re going the extra mile for
your company, and that’s valued. These people tend to be promoted to higher paying positions.
Not only this, but genuinely clever individuals can look past unpleasant situations,
identify the root cause of the problem, and assist others in resolving their disputes.
Sharp individuals avoid talking your ear off, and instead take action where it’s needed.
They keep things brief and to the point. If you know someone like this,
take a moment to listen to their problem solving methods. It will help improve your own ability
to fix issues. (Pause)
Believe it or not, intelligent people are messy. (Pause)
When you think of a smart person, do you picture a neat and organized individual?
If the answer is yes, you need to break your stereotypes. Geniuses are messy.
I'm not joking. There’s research to support this. A cluttered workstation is a sign of a smart mind.
These people leave their desks cluttered because they’re so busy with other things.
While things appear to be disorganized, they know where everything is and can locate it in
a flash. So, the next time your co-workers poke fun at your cluttered desk, pay them no mind.
Messy people also tend to be more creative. They’re so busy bringing their ideas to life
that they forget to clean up. For some of them, it’s not even a priority. If you’re one
of these people, try to remember to clean your space once in a while. You owe it to yourself.
(Pause) To put it plainly, smart people worry a lot.
(Pause) Sounds stupid? But it’s true!
Worrying involves preparing yourself for the possibility of something bad happening. People who
suffer from anxiety spend a lot of time worrying, even about situations that are highly unlikely.
Wondering what the benefit of all that anxiousness is? Well, leaving the negatives aside, it may hint
at a higher level of intellect. Anxiety and IQ are closely related according to research.
It states that people with high IQ worry more than others do.
Just hear me out for a second. Highly educated and intelligent people spend more time worrying
because they have a broad understanding of potential risks. They want to be prepared for
every possibility. Their anxiety may lead to brainstorming unique
strategies for dealing with a situation, or different ways to stay out of trouble.
People often think of anxiety as a bad attribute, but its most important
function is to help identify and respond to danger. It always keeps your brain working.
(Pause) Now don’t get me wrong,
just because you don’t possess these attributes doesn’t mean you’re not a smart person.
These are just some of the main signs. The conversation around intelligence is a pretty
complex one. Let’s keep the conversation going with a couple more videos, shall we?
Check out our video on the smartest zodiac sign. Or how about the 9 best
foods to boost your brain function and memory? Go ahead, click one. Or better yet, watch both,
and learn more about your brain function and intelligence. Do you have any of these
characteristics? Do you know a person with a high IQ? Let us know in the comments below!