Activating intelligence

Action is the real measure of intelligence. Napoleon Hill

Without exception, each and every normal individual is blessed with some skill sets and intelligence. Yet when we look around we find that there is a very small minority that has actually utilized their knowledge, their intelligence and their abilities to grow and make a mark in the world. A quick reality check would reveal that many of our own classmates who were toppers, extroverts, go getters and deemed sure shot successes when they grew up, fell far short of our expectations and languished in mediocrity.  Unbelievably, there could also be a remarkable few who beat all odds, surprised most of us and provoked the envy of many by their remarkable achievements and success stories. The success of the latter and disappointments of the former can be attributed to be the outcome of actively using the intelligence in a practical way rather than merely demonstrating it in a class room setting.

As they say ‘ A ship is safe in harbor but that is not what it is made for’. Similarly all the education and intelligence must be utilized in the cauldron of daily living be it at home, the work place, the social setup or the occasional mundane chores that engulf us. This would imply that one uses not only the academic skills but also become worldly wise, street smart, creative, bold and experimental. The learning is actually put to the test when an individual goes well beyond the text book, the laboratory experiments, the perceptions of doomsday predictors and emboldens himself/ herself to challenge the conventions, the stero types and take the ‘ road less travelled by’.

Here are 3 ways to put one’s intelligence into action.

Be creative: The problem that people face when they come out from a rigid and structured education system is their tendency to be logical, to seek solutions in the confines of available knowledge and their fear of being seen as inadequate if they cannot find solutions where they search for. It is not that they cannot imagine or visualize but fear of failure, ridicule and pressures of deadline corrode they self belief and dampen their spirits.

Take calculated risks. The ability to take risks separates the winners from the losers. Yet we would see a number of risk takers who also fail along the way. There are two conditions to be fulfilled in order to mitigate risks. The first is to be aware of the consequences of failure and the second is to discern when to quit and when to relentlessly pursue. Calculated risk takers invariably have loads of self belief, a variety of hedging strategies and fall back options and the guts to take a hit on the chin without flinching.

Experiment.  They say other than death and taxes, change is the only other constant. It is therefore inevitable that we gear up to meet the change as it unfolds. Anticipating change is challenging but introspection, visualization and experimentation will enable one to proactively innovate to keep ahead of the competition. Failures which are inevitable when experimenting should be seen as learning experiences and radical ideas must be allowed to blossom if experimentation has to become a mantra for activating success.

Remember: It is better to have a fair intellect that is well used than a powerful one that is idle. Bryant H. McGill

Try this:

Attempt to make a list of additional features you believe the following gadgets must incorporate

• A fridge
• A mobile phone
• An ATM machine
• A lap top
• A bicycle

Find 5 unique uses for the following

• A tooth brush
• A pair of shoes
• A cricket bat
• The first object that you pull out of your pocket right now

 This post is courtesy www.actspot.com

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